Course Prefix: BIOL
Course Number: 311
Course Name: Creating a Nature Journal
Instructor Last Name: Antell
Delivery Mode:
Course Information: BIOL 311, Creating a nature journal
Credits: two
Instructor Information:
Dr. Karen Antell
Badgley Hall 303E
Eastern
One University Blvd.
La
541-962-3610
kantell@eou.edu
http://www2.eou.edu/~kantell/antell.htm
Prerequisites: none
Catalog/Course Description: The course provides guided field experiences with instruction in a variety of techniques that may be used for observing, interpreting and documenting living organisms in the natural world.
Required texts and other materials:
Clare Walker Leslie and Charles E. Roth. 2000. Keeping a Nature Journal:
discover a whole new way of seeing the world around you; Storey Books
Optional text: Hannah Hinchman. 1997. A Trail Through Leaves: The journal as a path to place; W.W. Norton & Co.
Bring a journal with unlined pages, with either spiral or sewn binding and a durable cover. The journal should be no smaller than 6 X 9 inches. I prefer 9 X 12 inches.
Students should bring something to draw with. Any of the following is fine -
bring what you have or what you are comfortable with.
Colored pencils
Student grade watercolor set, either pan or tubes, with brush and mixing pallet
Felt-tipped pens with either water soluble or non-soluble ink
Drawing grade pencils ranging in hardness from HB to 6B or 9B
Supplemental
There are several books available on the topic of journal creation, and many
books available with information about nature sketching and writing, as well as
examples of published journals. A few good ones are listed at this link - CLICK HERE. Check them out at your local library.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Produce a written account of a personal experience in nature with
observations about the qualities of the area at the time that it was visited.
2. Interpret the natural history of the area visited, by using guidebooks to
learn about environmental qualities and species interactions.
3. Identify organisms encountered, or know how to go about seeking
identification of organisms after the trip.
4. Produce sketches of the organisms and landscapes encountered.
5. Clearly explain their personal ways of living in and relating to the natural
world around them.
Means of Assessment:
To achieve satisfactory completion of the course, students must produce a field
journal with all of the specific, required components. The field journal will
constitute the only assignment for the course. The journal will be assessed for
content, depth of understanding of the natural world, and effort. It must
include all of the following components:
(numbers refer to specific learning outcomes listed above)
Introduction/preface (#1)
Sketching exercises from class - gesture, line, memory (#4)
Ladd Marsh field trip: Landscape sketches (#4)
Organismal sketches (#4)
Written essay responding to the prompt given in class (#1)
Bird/mammal/reptile/amphibian species lists (#2, #3)
Plant species list (#2, #3)
GROWISER,
Landscape sketches (#4)
Organismal sketches (#4)
Written essay responding to the prompt given in class (#1)
Bird/mammal/reptile/amphibian species lists (#2, #3)
Plant species list (#2, #3)
Journal entries for eight weeks following the class dates (#1, #2, #3, #4, #5)
Journal summary and self-evaluation (#5)
Grading Procedure:
Field journal evaluation is 100% of the course grade. To obtain a passing
grade, all components of the field journal must be completed at a satisfactory
level. Students will NOT be graded on artistic ability, so fear of drawing
should not inhibit students from enrolling in the course!
Field journals will be evaluated using a scoring rubric similar to that used
for assessment of writing samples in
Schedule of assignments, tests, projects:
The field journal should be photocopied or scanned and printed and mailed to
the instructor for evaluation no later than Monday, Nov. 29. This is a firm
deadline and I cannot accept journals received after this date. Please be
advised that if you send original journals through the mail, I cannot be
responsible for loss in the mail.
For a list of specific, weekly journal assignments, CLICK HERE.
Special instructions:
There will be two field trips to local natural areas during the day Saturday.
Neither trip will require strenuous walking. Participants should, however, be
prepared for spending most of the day outdoors. Students should bring insect
repellant, sunscreen, hats or long-sleeved clothing, water bottles, and warm
clothing and/or rain protection. Hiking boots are not required, but students
should not wear sandals, shoes with high heels, or open-toed shoes.
Computer technology required: None
Syllabus prepared by: Dr. Karen Antell, 17 October 2006
Supplemental Reading Selections