• Prerequisite: None. Previous training in the language and ideas of Ecology is helpful, but not required.
  
• Credits: 3
  
• Course offered Fall Quarter, 2002 in conjunction with the University of Montana course, BIOL 395 Listening to Ecology

Required Materials:

1. Access to the Course Website, http://www.cas.umt.edu/listeningtoecology . You may use your own computer and server or use computers available in the Math/Science Lab (JPP 101). This website contains required readings and discussions. Password for discussions and readings will be provided.

2. E-mail account. See Marianne Luchkiw about obtaining a free account.

3. Notebook or journal.

Course Description:
This course is aimed at providing you with the ability to critically evaluate both written and oral scientific discourse. You will read primary literature, attend University of Montana's Ecology Seminar Series, and participate in discussions evaluating written and oral presentations by selected scientists.

Course Objectives:

This course will enable you to...

1. Content Objectives

• Explain the structure of a scientific paper
  
• Learn to use the Internet and libraries (UM and SKC) to search primary ecological literature.
  
• Read and understand essential content of primary ecological literature.

2. Critical Thinking Objectives

• Evaluate selected scientific papers and oral presentations for content, scientific process, writing or presentation style and overall significance to our understanding of ecological processes.
  
• Work in teams to understand and evaluate papers and presentations.

3. Cultural Objectives

• Discuss the relationship between the research presented and tribal traditions or tribes' current environmental goal.

Course Requirements:

A. You must read the assigned papers before coming to class. These papers are available at the Course Website. Dr. Kukuk will provide sets of questions for you to answer in your journal in preparation for discussions. These papers and questions will become more complex as the course progresses to build your skills.

B. You should also use the Internet, SKC library and/or UM library to search out at least one of the papers listed in each assigned paper's Literature Cited section. Upon finding that paper, record its citation, and write a one-sentence summary in your own language.

C. Prior to the Seminars on Fridays, you'll participate with your fellow SKC and UM classmates in a discussion of the papers. These one-hour discussions will take the form of debates in which you will be randomly assigned to a team that defends or attacks the speaker's research. Questions you answered during the reading will be the basis for your discussion.

D. Following the seminar, you will work with a teammate on the Internet to prepare a consensus critique of the seminar (format is available at the Course Website)

Grading:

Grades will be based on a total of points 135 divided among 9 topics and assigned as follows:

Journal	1 point per topic	9 points
Participation in electronic discussions	2 points per topic	18 points
Critiques	5 points per critique	45 points
Attendance and active participation in class	5 points per class	45 points
Attendance of Seminar	2 points per seminar	18 points

Grading Scale:
135-121	=	A
120-107	=	B
106-93	=	C
92-79	=	D
78 and below	=	F

No incomplete grades will be assigned in this class. You may make up missed electronic discussion contributions and critiques, but you will loose points (1 for late discussions and 1-3 for late critiques).

Attendance:
You are expected to participate in the Internet discussions and attend the class/seminar regularly; each is planned to involve you in activities for which you will gain grade points.

SALISH KOOTENAI COLLEGE

Patricia A. Hurley
Salish Kootenai College
http://www.skc.edu/env/Faculty.html
pat_hurley@skc.edu
John Peter Paul, room 108
Office Hours: Posted outside JPP 110
(406) 675-4800 ext 302

Marianne Luchkiw
Salish Kootenai College
http://www.skc.edu/env/Faculty.html
marianne_luchkiw@skc.edu
John Peter Paul, room 101
Office Hours: Posted outside JPP 110
(406) 675-4800 ext 308

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