2008-2009 Catalog - Virginia Wesleyan College

116 INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES161 Bees and Beekeeping (1)(Winter Session)An introduction to the history, technique, biology, andpractices of apiculture. It is an introduction to thefundamentals and pleasures of keeping bees as either ahobby or a business. The long history of beekeeping aroundthe world, the various metaphorical and cultural meaningsassigned to bees and beekeeping over time, thedevelopment of the Langstroth hive, and the theoriesbehind the most modern hive management practices arestudied. Essentials such as building of hives, supers, andframes, the capture of swarms, the installation of packagedbees, management of the hive throughout the seasons,requeening, and the harvesting of a honey crop are alsostudied. The basics of bee biology and hive organization,and the critically important methods of preventing diseaseand maintaining a healthy, productive colony are alsocovered. Offered in selected Winter Sessions.180 Rocky Mountain Ecology (3)On-site study of the Rocky Mountain environment.Students study the nature and interrelation of plants andanimals of montane, subalpine, and alpine life zones;aquatic ecology; geological history; and the impact ofhumans, including native American cultures, mining, andrecent environmental issues in this area. Combinationlecture and field course with study trips to a mountainstream, glacier lake, beaver pond, the continental divide,and historic mines and mining towns and canyons of theGreat Plateau. Offered each summer.202 School and Society (3) (S)The historical, philosophical, and sociologicalfoundations of the instructional design based on assessmentdata (the relationships among assessment, instruction, andmonitoring student progress to include studentperformance measures in grading practices, the ability toconstruct and interpret valid assessments using a variety offormats in order to measure student attainment of essentialskills in a standards-based environment, and the ability toanalyze assessment data to make decisions about how toimprove instruction and student performance) areaddressed. Cultural and contemporary issues of the schoolas a socializing agent are explored. Offered each semester.224 Career Exploration and Externships (1)(Winter Session)Provides an introduction to a career field of choice, anexternship experience within that career field, andsubsequent reporting and processing. Students spend thefirst week researching careers and the site at which they willextern. The second week consists of the on-site externship.The final week is used to document, process and present thelessons learned. Prerequisite: consent. Offered in selectedWinter Sessions.230 Women of the Caribbean (3)(Winter Session)Students explore, assess, analyze and apply feministtheories as they relate to themselves and to the women ofthe Caribbean. The course focuses on the social, politicaland cultural similarities and differences among Americanand Caribbean women. Students take a trip to one of theCaribbean islands for further research and study. Offered inselected Winter Sessions.235 Intermediate Honors Topics (3)Analysis of some issue or aspect of culture from theperspective of more than one academic discipline. Oftenteam-taught, and always created just for the honorsprogram, these courses require significant reading, research,and writing. Exemplary work can receive an H (honors)grade. This course may be repeated for credit as the topicvaries. Prerequisite: admission into the honors program orconsent. Offered each year.290, 292 Alpine Ecology I & II (3, 3)A 15-day summer-study program based in Chamonix,France, in the heart of the Mont-Blanc region. The ecology,biology, geology and history of the Alpine region is studied.Included in the course is an examination (including ethicalconsiderations) of the impact of humans upon thisenvironment. Lectures and field course work with studytrips to mountain peaks, lakes, rivers, meadows and villagesare used to familiarize students with this majestic area.INST 290 students focus on the Chamonix/Mont-Blancregion with daily minibus excursions to the French, Swissand Italian Alps. INST 292 includes daily (and possiblyovernight) hikes in the Mont-Blanc region, taking studentsthrough the spectacular French, Italian and Swiss Alps.Prerequisite: consent. Offered summer of odd-numberedyears.303 Applied Technology forInnovative Instruction (3)Provides an opportunity for the student to masterintroductory concepts and to gain experience in the use oftechnology aids to produce educational materials, instructionalunits, and to increase the efficiency of instruction inthe classroom. The course also provides the backgroundand skills for educators to meet the Technology Standardsfor Instructional Personnel (TSIP), and providesopportunities to acquire necessary skills for teachingComputer/Technology Standards K-12 as outlined in theStandards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools.Instructor consent for online section of course. Offeredeach semester.310 Junior Liberal Studies Seminar (1)Encourages students to recognize and explorerelationships and connections among courses from thevarious General Studies Frames of Reference. Using asystems approach, students examine past educationalexperiences and plan for future learning activities. Does notfulfill any requirements for Latin Honors. Prerequisite: