Summer 2025 - EDUC 857 G031
Issues and Topics in Environmental Education (5)
Class Number: 3711
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
-
Course Times + Location:
Location: TBA
-
Instructor:
David Zandvliet
david_zandvliet@sfu.ca
1 778 782-5680
Office: SRyC 5355
Office Hours: By appointment
-
Prerequisites:
Consent of the instructor.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Examines the origins of environmental education, the range of program offerings, and the educational concepts which appear to underlie them.
COURSE DETAILS:
Meeting Dates:
May 17/18
June 14/15
July 2-6 (Field experiences)
Meeting Times:
Saturday and Sunday times are 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
July field experience is overnight for the four nights.
Course Details:
This course will be of interest to educators interested in environmental or ecological education as it applies to both school-based and informal learning environments. As the course lends itself to a multidisciplinary approach, it is appropriate for educators of all subjects and grade levels and to informal educators of various persuasions.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
- To develop a theoretical rationale and conceptual structure for environmental education/learning as it applies to a variety of school based and informal learning environments
- To review and evaluate environmental topics in provincial curriculum and locally developed curriculum materials
- To consider a variety of teaching models/strategies for environmental education (eg. teaching-learning cycle, sensory awareness, creative drama, role-playing, simulation, critical thinking, case studies, concept mapping)
- To develop an understanding of inquiry (eg. observing, inferring, predicting, classifying, measuring and recording)
- To learn concepts important to an understanding of natural and urban environments (eg. product life cycles, food cycles, water treatment, air quality, land use planning, role of parks / ecological reserves, etc.)
- To develop an understanding of environmental concepts as they apply to global issues (eg. human ecology, sustainability, recreation, pollution, conservation, resource management, and other impacts such as climate change, consumerism, transportation issues, etc.)
Grading
- Field Notebook and/or Reflective Journal 10%
- Portfolio presentation (written and oral) 30%
- Analysis and Presentation of an Environmental Issue 30%
- Analysis and Summary of a Professional Journal Article 30%
NOTES:
The course is arranged on a varied and flexible schedule – this will allow for a series of intense immersive experiences early in the course, followed by more time for individual reflection, research and writing towards the latter part of the course. During the field experiences you will be expected to participate in a continuing academic discourse regardingconceptual issues in EE – attendance and participation is a requirement.
REQUIREMENTS:
Students must attend all classes and complete all assignments.
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
Access to a computer and Internet connection, notebook or journal, outdoor gear and some basic camping supplies.
REQUIRED READING:
A variety of readings will be selected from the research literature, selected journals and government publications.
These will made available at the first class (and as needed).
RECOMMENDED READING:
Students will need to familiarize themselves with the BC environmental education framework document: What is Environmental Learning? (Province of British Columbia, in press),
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Graduate Studies Notes:
Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.