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EME 466 - Energy and Sustainability in Society

This is a sample syllabus.

This sample syllabus is a representative example of the information and materials included in this course. Information about course assignments, materials, and dates listed here is subject to change at any time. Definitive course details and materials will be available in the official course syllabus, in Canvas, when the course begins.

Overview

EME 466 challenges students to apply the knowledge and skills acquired over the course of their studies to address a current sustainability challenge in their own communities. Venturing out from behind their computers, students will collaborate with Community Partners to work toward feasible, appropriate policy-driven solutions to local sustainability challenges. This course is structured around an inquiry-based project which tasks students with solving the more wicked problems of sustainability while forcing them to distill what they've learned about global challenges into local solutions.

Objectives

With the successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • perform fair and balanced research on current energy and sustainability policy issues
  • discuss your own sustainability worldview
  • form well-supported positions on current energy and sustainability policy issues
  • present position arguments clearly, both in writing and orally
  • approach and engage others, including your Community Partner(s), subject matter experts, stakeholders, and citizens
  • prepare a Final Capstone Portfolio showcasing your work

Required Materials

The materials listed here represent those that may be included in this course. Students will find a definitive list in the course syllabus, in Canvas, when the course begins.

Here is a list of materials:

  • one
  • two
  • three

Prerequisites

GEOG 30N, CAS 100, and GEOG 432. As a capstone course, EME 466 is ideally taken in a student's graduating semester. Student must have instructor and adviser approval to register for EME 466.

Expectations

What I expect of you:

  • Spend ten to twelve hours per week on the project itself - researching, reaching out to stakeholders and community members, and completing your project deliverables and other assigned work. 
  • Step out from behind your computer - This project forces you into the real world to dig into a contemporary policy challenge. You will encounter the unexpected, and things will change. As you know from other facets of your professional lives, this is simply how the world works. It is your job to keep the project on track and to manage challenges as they arise. You will need to be (1) proactive, (2) persistent, and (3) flexible to effectively manage your project this semester. You will need to plan ahead and be resourceful. You will need to stay in touch with all people, events and organizations on which your project relies so that you can anticipate and manage changes. Meeting project due dates is your responsibility.
  • Approach this project eagerly, with genuine curiosity and enthusiasm - This project requires you to be exceptionally diligent with time management and self-directed work. You are representing not just yourself, but also the Energy and Sustainability Program and Penn State. Be polite, prepared, and deeply attentive. This is a terrific opportunity to learn and to meet new organizations and people--you may make contacts that you value for years to come.

Major Assignments

Your EME 466 course grade is based almost entirely on your project. Full details and grading criteria for each deliverable are described in Canvas.

Graded assignments are weighted as follows:

  • Project Proposal (5% of total grade)
  • Literature Review (20% of total grade)
  • Draft Community Partner Deliverables (20% of total grade)
  • Presentation Rehearsal (10% of total grade)
  • Digital Story (20% of total grade)
  • Sustainability Worldview (10% of total grade)
  • Weekly Journaling (15% of total grade)

Course Schedule

This course follows the Penn State Academic Calendar for the current term.  Given the nature of the course, specific due dates will be provided during the semester.