Objective1:    

To facilitate your adjustment to the challenges of life and       learning at Texas State University.       

Activity:        

Course orientation, students¡¯ self-introduction, questions, and      answers.

Reading:       

Essays on pages, 7, 9, and 11 of Chapter 1, Your University   Experience¡ªthe Next Step                                  

Assignment:  

Prepare for the discussion of the possible university challenges in the next class. What are possible challenges you will cope with?

Objective1: 

To facilitate your adjustment to the challenges of life and learning    at Texas State University    

Activity:       

Class discussion on topics assigned, oral reports in groups, summary of important ideas.                                   

Reading:      

Essays on pages 69,73, and 77 of chapter 2 of Your University   Experience

Assignment: 

Prepare an oral report: College thinking and challenges. How should I get adapted to such thinking pattern and face the challenges?  Focus on concepts such as Personal responsibilities, relationships, personal goals, at-risk behavior

Objective1: 

To facilitate your adjustment to the challenges of life and learning at Texas State University                               

Activity:       Reading:        

Introduction to No Impact Man and discussion

Essays on pages 3 and 13

Assignment:  

Visit all the student supporting facilities of the university and

 find out how they   serve the students, prepare for the discussion of choosing a major, academic policies, academic honest, and using advising.

Reminder:    Common Experience Events

September 15

                             Take Back the Tap: Texas State Reusable bottle distribution: Wednesday • 10:00 a.m. • Quad

Screening of Tapped: Wednesday • 7:30 p.m. • LBJ Student Center Teaching Theater
 

September 17 ¨C 18

Sustainability Exploration

Friday 1:00 - 5:30 p.m. • Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. • Meet at LBJ     Student Center
 

 September 17
 Join the Discourse Event:
 How Constitutional Interpretation Impacts Public Policy
 Friday • 6:30 - 7:30 pm • Evans Liberal Arts 225

¡¡

Objective3 : 

To identify practical learning skills and concepts that will    promote students' academic success

Activity:           

Guest speaker from the student assistance center, Quiz 1

Reading:         

Essays on pages 83, 113, and 125

Assignment:   

Create an ideal or reasonable timetable for your college life, prepare to discuss topics such as the management of money, listening skills in class, calculating GPA.

Reminder:    Common Experience Event:

September 22
Colin Beavan, Wednesday • 7:00 p.m. • Strahan Coliseum
                                                     
September 25
Discover Texas State GreenFest
Saturday • 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. • LBJ Student Center Mall Area

September 26 - October 3
No Impact Week

Note: Individual event details to be announced.

► Sunday, September 26: Consumption
• The Story of Stuff: video
• Contact Michelle Bohn for a free box: 
► Monday, September 27: Trash
• Sponsored by Texas State Recycling & Waste Management 
• Recycling / trash info tables, Quad, 7:45 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Film: I Love Trash, Alkek Teaching Theater, 7:00 p.m.
• Encourage use of reusable containers
► Tuesday, September 28: Transportation / Take Action
• Sponsored by The Bike Cave (website or 512.245.4567) and Texas State Tram
• Bike / walk / bus to school
• Plan bike route: website
• The Hub bike shop will offer tune-ups in Quad
• Film: A Crude Awakening, LBJ Student Center Teaching Theater, 7:00 p.m.
► Wednesday, September 29: Food
• Sponsored by Edible San Marcos (contact Suzy Fields): website
• Farmers Market on Campus (partners Edible San Marcos and San Marcos Farmers' Market), Quad, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
• Composting demonstrations, Quad, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• James McWilliams (History Department) lecture: "Just Food," Education Building 4061, 2:00 p.m.
• Film: Food, Inc., Centennial Teaching Theater, 7:00 p.m. (see details below)
► Thursday, September 30: Energy
• Sponsored by Net Impact student organization. Contact Janet Hale:
• Energy conservation in dorms and classrooms
• Film: Bill Moyers Journal: Obama's First Year / America's Energy Challenge, LBJ Student Center Teaching Theater, 7:00 p.m.
► Friday, October 1: Water
• Sponsored by Aquarena Center. Contact Ron Coley: 
• "State of Texas Water" panel discussion with Ron Coley and Dianne Wassenich, location TBA, 2:00 p.m.
► Saturday, October 2: Giving Back
• Sponsored by Student Volunteer Connection. Contact Kelly Stone:
• Service learning opportunities
► Sunday, October 3: Eco-Sabbath

¡¡

September 27
 Philosophy Dialogue Series:
 Jean Kazez, Southern Methodist University (Philosophy)
"Necessities and the Meaning of Life"
 Monday • 11:00 a.m. • Philosophy Dialogue Room • Psychology 132
 More information: click here (pdf)

September 27
Jean Kazez, Southern Methodist University (Philosophy)
 "Brave New Animal: Advancing Ethics through Technologye"
  Monday • 2:00 p.m. • Philosophy Dialogue Room • Psychology 132

¡¡

Objective 3: 

To identify practical learning skills and concepts that will promote students' academic success

Activity:

Discussion on topics assigned. Group reports on discussion  results.

Reading:     

Essays on pages 119 and 139 of Chapter 3

Assignment: 

Find research sources for a research topic you are interested in; report them in the class discussion; prepare to answer questions like study skills, note taking, and study skills.  Write Paper 1 on any readings of our textbook. Paper 1 due on Oct. 26.

Reminder:     Common experience events                             

September 29
Philosophy Dialogue Series:
Nichole McNiel (Sociology Graduate Student) and Deborah Harris (Sociology

 "The Feminine Ethos of Wilderness Recreation Advertising"
 Wednesday • 2:00 p.m. • Philosophy Dialogue Room

 September 30
 Join the Discourse Event:
 Politics of Film Series presents: Food, Inc.
Thursday • 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. • Centennial Teaching Theatre

October 4
 Philosophy Dialogue Series:
 Nichole McNiel (Sociology Graduate Student) and Vincent Lopes (Aquatic-  Biology)   "Relational Ecology: Reconciling the Boundaries of Humans and Nature" Monday • 11:00 a.m. • Philosophy Dialogue Room • Psychology 132
                                                      

 October 4
FALL COMMON EXPERIENCE SPEAKER: WANGARI MAATH

 Monday • 7:00 p.m. • Strahan Coliseum

¡¡

Objective 3:   

To identify practical learning skills and concepts that will promote students' academic success.                         

Activity:          

Class discussion on the topics assigned, Instructors summarize good suggestions

Reading:         

Essay on 125 of Chapter 3

Assignment:  

Get mentally prepared to discuss about your career plan and  your plan for selecting a major.

Reminder:    Common Experience Event:

 October 7
  Philosophy Dialogue Series

 Sophists and Sages
 "Sustainability, Desire, and the Culture of Stuff"
  Thursday • 12:30 p.m. • Philosophy Dialogue Room • Psychology 132

October 7
 Jerald Winakur

Memory Lessons: A Geriatrician's Tale
Thursday • 7:00 p.m. • San Marcos Public Library • 625 E. Hopkins Street

Objective 3   

Activity:  

 Class discussion on topics assigned. Introduce  No impact Man

Reading:       

Chapter 1, 2 and  3 of No Impact Man            

Assignment: 

Prepare for the discussion on how the book may improve our life. Write an essay on how the first 3 chapters may affect your future career.

Reminder:    Common Experience Event:

October 13
Join the Discourse Event:
 Looking Forward to the 2010 Election
 Wednesday  • 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. • Evans Liberal Arts 118

October 15
 Sir Harold Kroto
 Science, Society, and Sustainability
Friday • Reception: 2:00 p.m. • Talk: 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. •
 Wittliff Collections • Alkek Library, 7th Floor

October 18
 Panel Discussion: "Food, Ethics, and Society"
 Monday • 11:00 a.m. • LBJ Student Center Teaching Theater

Objective 2:  

To expand students' understanding of the nature and purposes of a university

Activity:         

Initiate discussion on purpose, the role, and structure of a university, mission of Texas State. Ask students to draw a diagram for the structure of a university.

Reading:       

4,5, and 6 of No Impact Man Essays on pages 53 and 45 of the textbook.

Assignment:    

Prepare paper 2 on the readings. Due: 11/16.   Quiz 2   

Reminder:  Common experience events:    

 October 19

Philosophy Dialogue Series:

 Sophists and Sages

 "Eating Sustainably, Eating Well"

Thursday • 12:30 p.m. • Philosophy Dialogue Room • Psychology 132
 

October 20
 Philosophy Dialogue Series:
 Theresa Frederick (Philosophy Graduate Student)
 "Feminism and the Ethics of Vegetarianism"
 Wednesday • 11:00 a.m. • Philosophy Dialogue Room • Psychology 132
 

 October 21
 Philosophy Dialogue Series:
 Sophists and Sages
 "Is Food the New Sex?"
 Thursday • 12:30 p.m. • Philosophy Dialogue Room • Psychology 132

 October 25
 Philosophy Dialogue Series:
 Marco Grimaldo (Bread for the World)
 "Feeding the People of the World: Who¡¯s Responsible?"
 Monday • 12:30 p.m. • Philosophy Dialogue Room • Psychology 132

 October 25
 Philosophy Dialogue Series:
 Interdisciplinary Panel: "Environmental Justice and Human Rights"
 Monday • 2:00 p.m. • Philosophy Dialogue Room • Psychology 132

¡¡

October 25
 Artist's Lecture: Mark Schatz
 Monday • Time TBA • JCM 2121
 

Objective 2:  

To expand students' understanding of the nature and  purposes of a university

Activity:        

Individual report on readings. Discuss the role of faculty and how to evaluate a professor

Reading:      

Chapter 7,8,and 9 of No Impact Man

Assignment:  

Discuss the Significance of No Impact Man for Our Life

Reminder:  Common experience events:

October 26

 Philosophy Dialogue Series:
 Rebecca Raphael (Philosophy)
 "Natural Disasters and the Rhetoric of Divine Punishment"
 Tuesday • 9:30 a.m. • Philosophy Dialogue Room • Psychology 132
 

 October 26
 Philosophy Dialogue Series:
 Sophists and Sages, Guest Speaker: Catherine Hawkins (Social Work)
 "Universal Human Rights: Environmental Implications"
  Tuesday • 12:30 p.m. • Philosophy Dialogue Room • Psychology 132
 

 October 26 - November 21
 Mark Schatz: Signs of Life
 JCM Gallery I, School of Art & Design
 Opening Reception: Tuesday • October 26 • 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

 October 28
 Philosophy Dialogue Series:
 Sophists and Sages
  "Distributive Justice and the New Tragedy of the Commons"
 Thursday • 12:30 p.m. • Philosophy Dialogue Room • Psychology 132

October 28
 Join the Discourse Event:
 Politics of Film Series presents: Escape from Suburbia
  Thursday • 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. • Centennial Teaching Theater

Objective4:  

To encourage students to explore the connection between university study and life enrichment, life-long learning, and civic responsibility.                               

Activity:          

Guest speaker from Student Supporting Center

Reflecting the properties of a good professor, Quiz 2

Reading:         

Essays on pages 37 and 63.

Assignment:  

         Write paper 3 (due on 11/30) on any of the common experience events         

Reminder:  Common experience events:

November 1
Philosophy Dialogue Series:
Nico Sch¨¹ler (Music)

 "Happiness and / in / through Music"
 Monday • 11:00 a.m. • Philosophy Dialogue Room • Psychology 132
 More information: click here (pdf)

November 2
Philosophy Dialogue Series:
Sophists and Sages"The Pursuit of Happiness: Are We There Yet?"
Tuesday • 12:30 p.m. • Philosophy Dialogue Room • Psychology 132

November 4
Philosophy Dialogue Series:
 Sophists and Sages
 "Living the Good Life in the Digital Age"
 Thursday • 12:30 p.m. • Philosophy Dialogue Room • Psychology 132
 More information: click here (pdf)

November 8
 Philosophy Dialogue Series:
 Sophists and Sages
 "Dialogue in Business Ethics, Leadership Ethics, and Professional Ethics"
 Monday • 12:30 p.m. • Philosophy Dialogue Room • Psychology 132
 

Objective4:  

To encourage students to explore the connection between  university study and life enrichment, life-long learning, and civic responsibility.

Activity:        

Discuss  university functions  and self-actualization.

Reading:      

Essays on pages 151 and 147.

Assignment:  

Group project on How We could maintain sustainability. Due Nov. 30

¡¡

Reminder:  Common experience events:

November 9
Philosophy Dialogue Series:
Sophists and Sages
"Can Corporations Be Trusted?"

 Tuesday • 12:30 p.m. • Philosophy Dialogue Room  • Psychology 132
 More information: click here (pdf)

November 11
 Sustaining the Moment: Poems on the Act of Attention
Thursday • 6:00 p.m. Live Music • 7:00 p.m. Poetry   Reading,  Lampasas 407

Live music provided by Texas State music students precedes poetry readings by MFA faculty on the subject of "sustaining the moment." Refreshments will be served. Sponsored by the Department of English, the University Honors Program, and the Common Experience. For more information, contact the University Honors Program at 512.245.2266.

 November 12
 Philosophy Dialogue Series:
 Seminar: "Business and Sustainability"
Friday • 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. • Philosophy Dialogue Room • Psychology   132 .  More information: click here (pdf)

Objective 5:  

To promote respect for diversity issues and concepts.

Activity:         

Quiz 3, discussion of what is a diversity issue

Reading:       

Essays on pages 183 and 217

Assignment:  

Prepare a personal story to explain a diversity issue. Quiz 3

Objective 5:   

To promote respect for diversity issues and concepts.

Activity:       

Tell your story and discuss how to accommodate               diversity

Reading:      

Play, Empathy, and Meaning followed by discussions  

Assignment:  

Review all the class notes; Prepare for the course summery

Reminder:  Common experience events:

 November 23

Sustainable Food Event

Tuesday • Time and venue TBA

Details to be announced. Event will feature John Mackey, founder of Whole Foods, and Texas

State history professor James McWilliams.

Objective 1-5:

Summarize all the key points of the objectives

Reading:

Read your course notes

Activity:

Do Course Evaluation

Assignment:

Reflect how you are going to use the knowledge from this course to guide your college life.