|
|
|
Welcome to the Learning Community "The Nature and Culture of Water." This two-course offering at Wofford College (Spartanburg, SC) links a 3-hour freshman Humanities seminar (Hum 101 "Water and Culture") with a 4-hour science course for non-science majors (Bio 104 "Water and Nature"). A student enrolled in one of these courses is also enrolled in the other. The courses are linked with the common theme of "water," and the students and teaching team spend almost every Thursday "in the field" -- that is we are near, on, or in the water each week (see links below under "Thursday Field Experiences.").
Please follow this link to view the syllabus for the learning community. We also encourage you to read about the goals and objectives of this initiative!
 |
| Here's the 2003 crew! Front row: Dr. Ellen Goldey, Ryan Richardson (preceptor), Meg Morrison, Dargan Lumpkin, Johnson Stevens, Back row: Katie Gunn, Retta Brunson, Molly France, Jim Morgan, Virginia Crumpler (preceptor), Beth Holler, Jason McElveen, Scott Duffey, Lizzie Switzer, William Prevost, Billy McGill, Jacob Smith, Steve Grove, John Whitmire, and Prof. John Lane. |
A message for the internet community: The students in this learning community have designed their own web pages that serve as their "learning portfolios." Their pages will be updated throughout the semester -- just click on a name. Follow the links under "Thursday Field Experiences" to see pictures and descriptions of our activities (2002 pictures will replace images from 2001 as we progress through the semester). We hope you'll be inspired by this special learning experience!
Thursday Field Experiences at a glance:
|
|
Week 3: "Fountains and Fonts"
|
||||
| Week 4: Lake Jocassee Voyage
|
Week 5: Discussion of upcoming ourtreach project, "Meet the Creek," with the 5th grade teachers at Chapman Elementary School. |
Week 6: "Meet the Creek" outreach with 5th graders from Chapman Elementary School! Pictures from 2003
|
|||
| Week 8: Lake Conestee
We learn what the Conestee Foundation is fighting for... |
Week 9:Wastewater Treatment Plant (where our sewage goes!) Lake Blalock Water Filtration Plant (where our drinking water comes from!)
(a student's tribute to wastewater workers. Enjoy!) |
||||
| Week 10: A Writers' Panel: "Write the Coast or Write It Off"
|
Week 11:Our journey to the Belle Baruch Institute for Marine Ecology and Coastal Research
|
Two faculty members, Biologist Ellen Goldey and English Professor John Lane, and two undergraduate "preceptors" design and implement this learning community. In 2001 Kris Neely ('02) and Ashley Thomas ('04) were the preceptors. The 2002 preceptors are Amelia Snider ('05) and Thomas Pierce ('05), both of whom were students in the learning community last year. As in the summer of 2001, the four person "teaching team" collaborated throughout the 2002 summer to further prepare this new offering.
This learning community is made possible by the support of the Spartanburg Water System and Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District. Special thanks to the SWS/SSSD general manager, Graham Rich, for his enthusiasm for the project and for working with our students in the classroom and field.
 |
This learning community is part of a broader freshman learning communities initiative supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) grant(DUE grant 0126788). You may read the 1st annual report on our progress here.
 |
Return to Dr. Ellen Goldey's Home Page.
Additional websites of interest
The Palmetto Conservation Foundation
South Carolina Rivers Organizations
The Waterfalls of South Carolina!
See a write-up on the book: The Waterfalls of South Carolina
Global Rivers Environmental Education Network (GREEN)
