With each new course I teach and when I revisit my existing courses, I utilize the resources from the SERC On the Cutting Edge workshop on Designing Effective and Innovative Courses (I attended the workshop in-person in 2002 and have since utilized the online tutorial).
There are main themes around which I develop each course. Since I only teach introductory-level Earth science, geoscience and geography courses for non-science majors, these themes are more skill-driven rather than knowledge-based (competencies vs. content). I start with an overarching goal and then define secondary course objectives, which vary from course to course. Below is an example of the goals I established for the Fall 2018 section of EARTH 104 (Climate, Energy and Our Future).
OVERARCHING COURSE GOAL – EARTH 104
To have students successfully evaluate energy and climate science issues and communicate the information through written and digital storytelling. It’s about energy literacy, information literacy, and digital literacy.
Course Objectives – EARTH 104
In addition to the overarching course goal, the following objectives are a part of EARTH 104. In other words, after completion of this introductory Earth science course, a student will be able to:
- To explain how the combination of a growing population, economic growth, and finite fossil fuel resources means that our current energy supply system is not sustainable
- To explain how carbon emissions must decrease dramatically if we are to avoid a dangerous level of global warming
- To explain how the combined costs associated with the reducing emissions and climate-related damages demonstrate that the smart move is to act quickly to shift our energy system to non-fossil fuel sources
- To define sustainability and how it is connected to issues of social justice, the environment, and the economy on local, national, and international levels
To accomplish the goal and objectives, students will be required to:
- Analyze and evaluate scientific data to create a conclusion about energy/climate science
- Describe spatial and temporal properties and processes on our planet with regards to climate and energy
- Provide examples of the scientific, interdisciplinary nature of studying energy systems(geological, biological, physical, chemical)
- Assess news with respect to sustainable energy systems; read and interpret articles in the news, as well as communicate this information
- Apply the fundamental concepts of the Energy Literacy Principles (U.S. Department of Energy)
- Articulate scientific and societal arguments for why human energy use matters, including a self-reflection on your own attitudes and beliefs