.
Michael J. Cohen, Ed.D.
Lead Faculty
Greenwich University
Applied Ecopsychology
ORT 500/600
ORIENTATION FOR THE
INTEGRATED ECOLOGY/APPLIED ECOPSYCHOLOGY
ADULT LEARNER (1 credit)
Student Orientation Program
Institute of Global Education PNC Graduate Student Cooperative
University College
Greenwich University
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is required of all graduate students during their first semester
of enrollment. The outcome of the course is the development of
the student's program schedule for completion of all degree requirements.
Students read assigned textual materials including the IGE Student
CooperativeWebsite and the University's catalog, student handbook, and
degree program overview, and participate in dialogue with their guide group
and the chair of their graduate committee to determine the required courses
and appropriate elective course work options. This is the appropriate forum
for discussing minimum entry requirements which need to be added as
prerequisites within your degree program. Discuss acceptability of transfer
courses and prospective courses appropriate for application of prior
learning assessment. Students will relate their interests to the required
parameters for field study and research. They will explore thoughts related
to student designed courses and the individualization of student
assignments across the degree program. .Students select materials to guide
their scholarly writing, manuscript preparation, literature search, and study
skills.
PREREQUISITES: Become familiar with the Natural Systems Thinking
Process website at www.ecopsych.com. Complete the online ECO 500
Orientation Course there and determine your GBT Score (Globally
Balanced Thinking Score).
COURSE TOPICS
*student program schedule
*degree requirements
*degree policies and procedures
*course prerequisites
*transfer courses
*core courses and other required courses
*research parameters
*special student designed courses
*prior learning assessment
*financial assistance
*cost per credit hour
*field study parameters
*individualization of course assignments
*required parameters for field study and research
*style manuals and study guides
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The outcomes of the course are the achievement of clarity on the part of
students concerning all program parameters and the development of the
student's program schedule for completion of all degree requirements.
Students finalize issues related to transfer courses, required and elective
elements of the program, and prior learning portfolios. Students will gain
clarity concerning appropriateness of their field study interests, research
ideas, and special student designed courses. Students finalize selection
of style manual, study guide and projected program schedule and submit it
using http://www.ecopsych.com/appformprogram.html
BRIEF NEED STATEMENT
The effective overall and individual orientation of adult students in
cooperative education is essential for the effective undertaking of advanced
learning. To assure effective progress, students need to gain an
understanding of all program parameters, the degree requirements
and expectations, and options for study. For adult students to
participate fully as an equal partner in the planning of the learning
experience, it is also essential they move through a process wherein they
seek assistance from the cooperative, select from among the available
options, help others in this process and contribute toward the
individualization of their programs to the maximum extent possible.
COURSE AUDIENCE
This course is required of all graduate students during their first
semester of enrollment at IGE and upon completion there, again at the
University
FACULTY-STUDENT COMMUNICATIONS
-Telephone Contacts
You should initiate an initial telephone conference with your guide group
and then the Chair of your graduate committee within one
week of enrollment to begin clarifying a plan of action for the
course. This initial contact will help familiarize you and your lead
faculty member with one another, and permit the transmission
of clear expectations for completion of course requirements. Periodic
telephone interaction, at least monthly, is required, at your expense, and
should continue for the duration of the course.
-Email Communications
Frequent email communications between you and your instructor should be
initiated and continued for the duration of the course. Email
communication may be required as many as four times or more each month.
Procedure:
Participants should become familiar and in compliance with the IGE-GSC
registration and enrollment procedures located on the
IGE-GSC pages at
http://www.rockisland.com/~process/
http://www.ecopsych.com/coop.html
http://www.ecopsych.com/appbasiclttr.html
http://www.ecopsych.com/coursebasics.html
as well as ongoing updates via the pnc-gwsg@egroups.com mailing list.
Once this material is mastered, familiarize
yourself with materials relating to
the University, especially in areas
pertaining to:
*individualization of course assignments
*required parameters for field study and research
*style manuals and study guides
*dissertation and thesis requirements.
-Alternative Communications
You will need to send communications and materials via postal service and
telefax, as appropriate.
COURSE DELIVERY STYLE
Students will read required degree related materials provided by
IGE web pages and the University. Through extensive dialogue
and
collaboration with your guide group and the Chair of the
graduate committee, the degree program schedule will be prepared
and approved. Students will also select required manuals and other
support materials for adult learners necessary to guide preparation of
written elements of the program.
REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS
-Computer and software for internet and email use
-Materials Provided by the University Catalog
*Student Handbook with Forms
*Degree Program Overview
-Manuals of Style
*American Psychological Association, (1994). Publication Manual of the
American Psychological Association Washington D. C. ISBN:
1557982414
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
-Assignment #1: Initial Communications
Telephone the chair of your graduate committee and email your
guide
group to prepare a plan of action and a schedule for communications.
Begin
immediately to submit information about your background and preparation
including copies of your college transcripts and your complete
resume.
Send complete contact information, and a photograph, if available.
Send an
email to the committee chair and
guide group summarizing the plan of
action for this course.
Familiarize yourself with the forms used to formalize various
aspects of the
program. They serve as documentation of your progress and participation
to avoid conflicts during final evaluations. ( page addresses
are included as
well as linked for downloading purposes.
Financial Aid http://www.ecopsych.com/appfinaidform.html
Specific Contracts http://www.ecopsych.com/appformcontract.html
Coop Membership Application http://www.ecopsych.com/appformcoop.html
Semester Course Enrollment http://www.ecopsych.com/appformenroll.html
Degree Program Application http://www.ecopsych.com/appformgrnch.html
Tuition Payment http://www.ecopsych.com/appformpay.html
Quarterly Progress Report http://www.ecopsych.com/appformprogress.html
Degree Program Schedule http://www.ecopsych.com/appformprogram.html
Assignment #2: Discussing Program Policies and Procedures
Use an IGE contract form and on it state that you will carefully review the
IGE-GSC website pages listed above Notate the degree requirements and
expectations, scheduling options, and the policies and procedures related to
the degree program and the conduct of the individual courses.
Carefully examine and/or download
http://www.ecopsych.com/appformprogram.html . The successful
completion of this form and carrying out its determinations
during your
program is the major function of ORT 500.
NOTE: you may set your own time line with respect to completing the
IGE-GSC transfer course portion of the Program Form in order to
determine your correct course credit fee for your tuition
determination . You
may also complete this course at a faster rate than indicated
in the schedule
below.
Discuss your questions and concerns first with your guide group and then
with the faculty chair of your graduate committee, through the electronic
mail,telephone communications or another agreed upon techniques.
Once
you are satisfied with your understanding of the program requirements,
expectations, policies and procedures, indicate this on your contract form
and submit it to your Guide group and faculty chair. Be sure to cooperate
with the program by safely archiving by disk and/or hard copy all contracts,
course work and receipts for this course and all courses at IGE and
elsewhere.
-Assignment #3: Identify Prerequisites
Review the degree program overview to determine the minimum entry
requirements for your degree program. In collaboration with your guide
group and the chair of your graduate committee, identify any prerequisites
lacking in your background and preparation at the time your were admitted
to the University. Arrange to have these missing elements added to your
required program. Select those courses which will serve to satisfy those
prerequisites. Schedule the timeline for completion of the prerequisite
courses and enter these courses within the program schedule.
-Assignment #4: Determine Transfer Courses and Waivers
Provide requested information and needed materials and participate with
your guide group and the chair of your graduate committee in determining
the appropriateness and transferability of graduate course work completed at
outside institutions. Cooperate fully in the determinations related to
approval of waivers of required courses. Complete that section of the
program schedule identifying the transfer courses and waivers.
-Assignment #5: Required Core Competencies
Work with your guide group and the chair of your committee to determine
the required core responsibilities of your degree program. These include the
theories, principles, and practices, historical and philosophical foundations,
and social, cultural, global implications of your field of study. Schedule the
time line for completion of the core courses and enter these courses within
the program schedule.
-Assignment #6: Required Field Studies
Work with your guide group and the chair of your graduate committee to
determine the required field studies of your degree program. These include
various field investigations, practicum, internships, externships,
apprenticeships, laboratory experiences, and other professional practice
elements. Discuss this requirement in detail to determine your field site
options and a tentative focus for field study. Schedule the time line for
completion of he field study courses and enter these courses within the
program schedule.
-Assignment #7: Required Research Preparation Courses
Work with your guide group and the chair of your committee to identify
realistic thesis or dissertation research interests, and determine the required
research preparation courses for your degree program. These
may include a
survey course in research methodologies, or qualitative, transpersonal,
participatory and quantitative research techniques. Research preparation
might emphasize data collection, field work, case study techniques, system
and database modeling, data analysis, biological illustration, scientific
literature, scientific writing, scientific and statistical methods,
introductory and advanced statistics. Such courses may be selected from
outside your program area under the direction of the chair of your
committee. Discuss this requirement in detail relevant to your proposed
thesis or dissertation plans and determine your research preparation focus.
Include a discussion of the required courses: Thesis Research (6 credits
at the masters level) and Dissertation Research (9 credits at the doctoral
level). Schedule the timeline for completion of the required research
preparation courses and enter these courses within the program schedule.
-Assignment #8: Selecting the Advanced Study Electives
Work with the guide group and chair of your committee to determine the
remaining credit requirements to be fulfilled by elective coursework.
Electives may be drawn from advanced studies, field study and research
preparation courses. Under the direction of the chair, electives may be
selected from within your program area or from another program area.
Schedule the timeline for completion of these requirements.
-Assignment #9: Discussing Prior Learning Assessment
Explore in detail viable opportunities for prior learning assessment in
lieu of standard requirements for completion of any course within the
degree program schedule.
*Portfolios
Review with your guide group and chair, the depth of your prior
non-college training, work
experience, independent learning, and professional achievements
which
might represent appropriate preparation to satisfy the course
objectives and
faculty expectations for any course(s). The types of prior learning which
may be includes in a student portfolio include: work experience,
non-college training, conferences seminars and workshops and preparation
for licenses, registrations and certifications. Work closely with the
chair to determine for which courses in your program you may submit a
prior learning portfolio in lieu of the standard course assignments. A formal
portfolio requires a detailed evaluation of your prior learning, including
gathering together authentic documents and signed affidavits to validate
the learning and a thorough introductory student narrative relating the
prior learning to the course objectives. Each course objective will be
addressed and evaluated separately. Clarify the timeline for the courses
which will be conducted by assessment of prior learning portfolios.
*Challenge Examinations
Challenge examinations allow the student with prior learning to have study
requirements waived in certain courses by passing an overarching
assessment conducted by the instructor. The actual course challenge may be
an oral or written examination coupled with documentation
in support of the
prior learning, or it may be by assignment of a short topical
paper or a
project demonstrating competencies expected in the course objectives. Each
course objective will be addressed and evaluated separately within the
challenge examination. Clarify the timeline for the courses which will be
conducted by challenge examination.
Assignment #10: Select Style Manual and Study Guides
Select a research guide and style manual, a writing guide, and study skills
handbook under the direction of your chair. Notate your selections on the
program schedule.
Assignment #11: Degree Program Schedule
With the identification of core competencies, field studies, research
preparation courses and course electives, determinations related to
transfer courses and waivers, portfolio and challenge examinations, and
notations concerning style manuals and study guides, and timelines
concerning all program requirements, the degree program schedule will be
complete. Submit your degree program schedule
http://www.ecopsych.com/appformprogram.html for approval by your
guide group and committee chair faculty.
SUPPLEMENTAL LEARNING RESOURCES
-Recommended Grammar Manuals
*Anne Stilman, Anne (1997) Grammatically Correct, The Writer's Essential
Guide ISBN: 0898797764
*Peters, Pam (1995) The Cambridge Australian English Style Guide
ISBN: 0521434017
*Princeton Language Institute 21st Century Grammar Handbook
ISBN: 0440215080
-Recommended English Language Dictionary
*Moss, Norman British/American Language Dictionary: for More Effective
Communication Between Americans and Britons ISBN: 0844291161
-Recommended Study Guides for Adult Learners
*Paul Oliver, Paul (1998) Research (Teach Yourself) ISBN0844200158
*Smith, Laurence N. and Walter, Timothy (1994) Adult Learner's Guide to
College Success ISBN: 0534232891
*Smith, Donald E. P. (1998) Critical Thinking: Building the Basics
ISBN: 053419284X
*Marshall, Lorraine (1983) Guide to Learning Independently
ISBN: 0335101178
*Turner, Harry (1997) You Can Do It: A Guide for the Adult Learner
ISBN: 156343153X
-Suggested Internet Resources
*Guide to Internet Research
http://users.southeast.net/~drgwen/index.html
*Gateway to Academic Resources on Internet
<http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/gw/>
*Research Guide on Internet
http://www.lib.odu.edu/start/index.html
-Text Providers
*Specialty Books
5833 Industrial Drive
Athens, OH 45701
(800) 466-1365
(614) 594-2274
Fax (614) 593-3045.
Email: order@specialty-books.com
http://www.specialty-books.com
*Amazon Books
549 South Dawson
P.O. Box 81410
Seattle, WA 98108-1310
(800) 201-7575
(206) 694-2992.
Fax (206) 694-2950.
Email: orders@amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com
Books can be ordered directly from the Web site.
INDIVIDUALIZATION OF STUDENT ASSIGNMENTS
Students will explore the appropriateness of their own background and
preparation in the constructing of the course of study. Transfer courses
and waivers, necessary prerequisites, ideas for field studies and research
projects and the resources and perspectives within the student's home
country will help shape the degree program.
COURSE EVALUATION
The completion of the degree program schedule documentation is the sole
requirement for this course.
COURSE GRADING DETERMINANTS
*degree program schedule and documentation 100%
COURSE COMPLETION TIMETABLE
The standard time allotted for course completion shall be 180 days,
although students may have additional time due to early enrollment prior to
standard course start dates. Week 31 which follows, begins formally, at
the standard course start date on the first business day of the calendar
quarter..
WEEK #1: Initiate first telephone contact with the chair of your graduate
committee to clarify a plan of action for the course and a schedule for
communications. Send copies of your college transcripts and your complete
resume. Send complete contact information, and a photograph, if available.
Send an email to the committee chair summarizing the plan of action for
this course.
WEEK #2: Make first email contact with instructor to send email copy of
written plan of action for guide group and instructor's feedback. Initiate assigned
reading of texts and maintain journal notations related to the salient
points of the readings.
WEEK #3: Complete review of IGE-GSC and University Catalog,
Graduate Student website materials. Overview. Finalize your discussion
concerning degree requirements and expectations, scheduling options, and
the policies and procedures related to the degree program and the conduct
of the individual courses.
WEEK #4: Complete task of identification of any required prerequisites
listed in the minimum entry requirements section of the program overview.
Select courses which will satisfy those prerequisites.
WEEK #5: Complete task of determining acceptability of transfer courses
and waivers Complete that section of the program schedule.
WEEK #6: Determine the remaining required core competencies for your
degree. Finalize scheduling the timeline for completion of these core
courses on the program schedule.
WEEK #7: Determine the required field studies of your degree program.
Finalize scheduling the timeline for completion of the field studies on the
program schedule.
WEEK #8: Determine the required research preparation courses for your
degree program. Finalize scheduling the timeline for completion of the
research preparation courses on the program schedule.
WEEK #9: Determine the advanced study electives for your degree program.
Finalize scheduling the timeline for completion of the electives on the
program schedule.
WEEK #11: Complete the discussions concerning prior learning assessment.
Identify the courses for which a formal portfolio will be presented in lieu
of the standard program requirements. Identify the faculty who will
complete the assessment.
WEEK #12: Complete the discussions concerning challenge examinations.
Identify the courses for which a challenge examination will be completed in
lieu of the standard program requirements. Identify the faculty who will
complete the assessment.
WEEK #14: Style manual and student study guides should be in the student's
possession by end of week #14. Select a research guide and style manual, a
writing guide, and study skills manual and notate these on the program
schedule.
WEEK #16: Finalize any changes to the core competencies, field studies,
research preparation courses and course electives. Complete the task of
determining transfer courses and waivers, portfolio and challenge
examinations, and notations concerning style manuals and study guides.
WEEK #18: Complete the timelines concerning all program requirements
on the degree program schedule.
http://www.ecopsych.com/appformprogram.html
. Submit the document for
approval by your guide group and the Chair of your graduate committee.
WEEK #20: Program schedule and related documentation approved by the
chair of your committee and the dean of your college by end of week.
WEEK #22: Submission of approved program schedule and related
documentation to the University administration for entry to the permanent
record.
SPECIAL NOTES AND INSTRUCTIONS
Students may progress through this course at a faster pace, as appropriate,
and under the careful direction of your committee Chair.
FACULTY CONTACT INFORMATION
Michael J. Cohen, Ed.D.
Director, Project NatureConnect
P. O. Box 1605
Friday Harbor, WA 98250 USA
Tel: (360) 378-6313
Email: nature@pacificrim.net
Website: www.ecopsych.com
Communications should take place during daytime working hours in the
western time zone or by appointment.
For the faculty contact information, please refer to the Lead Faculty
Information section of the Program Overview. If unclear of contact
information, communicate immediately with the University Administration.
Project NatureConnect
Institute of Global Education
Special NGO consultant to United Nations Economic
and Social Council.
P.O. Box 1605 Friday Harbor WA 98250
(360) 378-6313
nature@pacificrim.net
www.ecopsych.com