human ecology core course

expectations and advice

fall 2007

• I've taught this class twice before. Both times it went well, but the classes were very different. So I'm not certain exactly how this class will go. I am certain that I'm very excited to teach it and that I have a lot of ideas that I want to try out. I'm very confident it will go well, but I can't predict exactly how.

• More than most classes, the success of this course, for you and your classmates, depends on you. This class will only be effective if you put time and thought into it, participate actively, and if we all work together to make connections and answer questions.

• Thus, we all share responsibility for:
  • Coming to class prepared.
  • Being mindful of group dynamics and respecting other's views and intellect.
  • Bringing energy, alertness, and curiosity to our time of shared work.

• This class is a beginning, not an end. I hope that you'll leave the class with more questions than you entered. I hope this class helps to transform the nature of the questions you ask, rather than providing all the answers.

• Although I'm unsure of a few of the particular steps, I do have a definite, albeit flexible, plan for this class. There will be times when things may seem a little disconnected. You may find yourself asking, "what does A have to do with B", and by all means give voice to these questions. I do think there's a "big picture" or a semi-coherent whole to the different things I want to do, but it might not always be apparent until we're closer to the end of the ten weeks.

• From time to time we'll do some role playing exercises and other group activities. Sometimes the reason for doing them won't be clear until the activities is over. I will never set you up for failure or ridicule or anything like that. And you can always opt out at any time.

• In the final two-thirds of this class there will be many, many handouts. You may wish to buy a binder, or figure out some other way to keep everything organized.

• We'll be doing a lot of different things in this class. Some of them you'll like more than others.

• At times, this class will be a lot of work. It's thus important that you start readings and assignments early.

• If you're having trouble or are confused about something, it's very important that you seek help sooner rather than later. You need to take responsibility to seek help if you need it.

• The exact syllabus for this class is quite flexible; feedback is encouraged, and will help make the class better.