At 10:50 PM -0500 3/28/99, HesperAloe wrote:
>I teach a non-majors plant science course at the community college level. One
>problem I see is that there is no unifying theme to hold the course material
>together.
>>One approach suggested in The American Biology Teacher is to use a case
>studies
>approach. For example, in a general biology course centered on humans,
>come in
>the first day and do an exercise on the transmission of the HIV virus and then
>center the course around HIV...
>>Does anybody have a suggestion for a case study in plants that students would
>find compelling? I certainly see that if we looked at wheat and corn, we
>could
>probably cover most major areas that the course is designed to cover.
>However,
>what compelling topic can I use to interest them?
>>One idea I have is world hunger although this certainly does not seem all that
>relevant in the U.S... Other suggestions?
>>Thanks!
> Peter
>>PS I would also be interested if any of you are already using a case studies
>approach...
I don't use case studies, but rather focus my course
around horticulture and use Botany for Gardeners by
Brian Capon (Timber Press) as my inexpensive but
surprisingly good textbook. We spend a lot of time
growing and measuring plants, analyzing soil, etc.
The syllabus/schedule for my course is found on my
website and linked from the schedule is a range of
other material pertinent to the course. This has
been a popular course because of its relevance to
everyday life...even if the student's don't own homes
yet.
ross
________________________________________________________________
Ross Koning | koning at ecsu.ctstateu.edu
Biology Department | http://koning.ecsu.ctstateu.edu/
Eastern CT State University | phone: 860-465-5327
Willimantic, CT 06226 USA | fax: 860-465-4479
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