Evaluation: Your final grade will be determined by a straight percentage as follows:

100% - 90% = A

89% - 80% = B

79% - 70% = C

69% - 60% = D

below 60% = F

Lecture Exams (take-home essays) - 2 @ 300 points = 600 points

Discussion/Participation = 200 points

Quizzes (during lecture; or assigned ) = 100 points

Laboratory Reports = 100 points

Project/Paper/Book Reports/Env. Club = 200 points

Video Reviews (10 hours)/Journal Option = 100 points

Total 1300 points

Exams: Exams will be essay format. Exams are posted on this website. The exam is a take-home; students must do their own work. Answers must be submitted in printed form. I will deduct for typographical and grammatical errors; please proofread your exams. When citing or quoting information the use of scholarly conventions is encouraged (MLA or APA form, end notes and if you desire, a bibliography). The midterm and final exams are graded allocating 70% to the content of the exam, 10% for a bibliography, 10% for citations and 10% for use of outside sources in each answer (other than the text/assigned readings).   You will lose points for grammatical or typographical errors....please proofread!  To receive a 90% of above on each essay you should included at least one citation other than found in the text or class lectures.  I will place a failing grade on any exam that contains plagiarism.

Projects: Every student is required to complete a project by the end of the term. A list of potential project formats is listed below:

Research paper (formal research paper on any environmental topic; approve topic w/me by midterm; minimum length 10 pages of text w/bibliography)

Report on two books relating to environmental issues (I will post a suggested reading list this term).

Activism project (restoration, cleanup, protection, habitat improvement , or internship at approved site, etc.).  Restoration projects would include:  bird/bat boxes, butterfly gardens, prairie restoration, bird feeders, energy conservation projects, etc.

A new program called "Activism for the Land" allows a limited number of students to fulfill the project requirement by serving as an intern at important environmental sites in our area (Scott Area Landfill, Nahant Marsh, Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources, etc.). They will require 32 hours of volunteer participation at the site TBA with myself and the site.

Every activism project must be presented orally at the end of the term (see dates in the Calendar) and a written report (minimum length 5 pages of text w/bibliography) must be submitted.  Power point presentations w/citations and a bibliography may be substituted for the traditional research paper.

Environmental Club Membership -Participation in the SCC Environmental Club (attending weekly meetings and working on a committee or taking on the role of an office will fulfill the project requirement and no presentation at the end of the term will be required. You must attend the first meeting of the term to participate and be able to attend regular meetings.

Projects are to be delivered orally at the end of the term and submitted in written form. . I will hand out a sign up sheet for projects at midterm.