EMSC 302 - Orientation to Energy and Sustainability Policy
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
EMSC 302 provides an orientation to the Energy and Sustainability Policy (ESP) degree program and to Penn State's resources. The course includes topics that are designed to provide an initial understanding of the ESP program competencies: energy industry knowledge, global perspective, analytical skills, communication skills, and sustainability ethics. Additionally, this course is designed to provide you with a level of familiarity with Penn State services and resources such as Student Services, the Libraries, Advising, and Global Programs offices. Students will have the opportunity to actively participate in discussions and work hands-on with online tools in activities that will allow them to gain an understanding of what it means to successfully participate as an ESP student in different educational and course contexts. Students are evaluated based on active class participation, written assignments, and quizzes. This course is intended to be taken during the first semester after being admitted to the ESP program.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of EMSC 302, you should be able to:
- access people and use resources available to Penn State students in the ESP program;
- exhibit proficiency with tools that support online learning;
- describe the five program learning outcomes.
Required Materials
Typically, there are no required materials for this course. If this changes, students will find a definitive list in the course syllabus, in Canvas, when the course begins.
Prerequisites
None
Expectations
We have worked hard to make this the most effective and convenient educational experience possible. How much and how well you learn is dependent on your attitude, diligence, and willingness to ask for clarifications or help when you need them. We are here to help you succeed. Please keep up with the class schedule and take advantage of opportunities to communicate with us and with your fellow students. This is a one credit class so the workload is less than a traditional class. You can expect to spend an average of 1 – 3 hours per week on class work.
Major Assignments
EMSC 302 will rely upon several methods to assess and evaluate your learning, including essays, discussion forum posts, quizzes, and comments.
Course Schedule
| Week | Topic | Assignment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | An Introduction |
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| 2 | Canvas |
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| 3 | Get Involved! |
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| 4 | Success as a World Campus Student |
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| 5 | Student Services |
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| 6 | Study Abroad or Internship? |
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| 7 | How Advising Can Help You |
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| 8 | Library and Research Resources |
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| 9 | Writing Resources |
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| 10 | Program Competencies |
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| 11 | Communication |
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| 12 | Global Citizenship |
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| Final Exam | ||