Sumolong College of Arts and Sciences

COURSE CODE: STS 2E

COURSE TITLE: PEOPLE AND THE EARTH ECOSYSTEM
PREREQUISITE SUBJECT: None
COURSE CREDIT: 3 units lecture
CONTACT HOURS: Lecture: 54 hours per Semester
COURSE DESCRIPTION This course emphasizes that life on Earth as we know it is an integrated and interdependent whole; its future is endangered by the
impact of human development on natural resources; its survival for future generations will depend on concerted action to conserve and
manage the environment as a self-sustaining resource base.

GENERAL OUTCOMES Upon completion of this course, students will be able to examine people’s impacts on the environment over a local, regional and global
spatial scale. In particular, this course will examine people, people’s historic and contemporary impacts on climate, landscapes, the
ocean, endangered species and habitats in the Philippines and the world

COURSE CLASSIFICATION: General Education subject

PLACEMENT: First Semester / Second Semester

COURSE INTRUCTOR: General Education Faculty

TEXTBOOK: None

SUMULONG COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES - PEOPLE AND THE EARTH ECOSYSTEM SYLLABUS
Page 1
SUGGESTED REFERENCES:
“Visualizing Environmental Science” by David M. Hassenzahl, Mary Catherine Hager, and Linda R. Berg

LESSON GUIDE FOR STUDENTS IN PEOPLE AND THE EARTH ECOSYSTEM

SPECIFIC LEARNING OUTCOMES TOPICS TEACHING- LEARNING ACTIVITIES ASSESSMENT METHOD/S

LECTURE

WEEK ONE
Whole Group Discussion – Teacher will  Essay Writing
1. Familiarize one’s self with the Vision and Sumolong College of Arts and facilitate the discussion of SCAS V/M,  Reflective Journal 1
Mission Statements of SCAS; Sciences philosophy, and core values, and will ask the a. Manifesting their own
2. Enumerate and discuss SCAS’s Core Values;  VISION students on why understanding these views regarding the
3. Discuss the general contents of the People  MISSION information is vital for them college mission and
and the Earth Ecosystem Course;
 PHILISOPHY vision
4. Enumerate and apply classroom rules and
policies for personal effectiveness and  CORE VALUES Use of KWL Chart – Students will be asked to
efficiency. fill out a KWL chart (Know, Want to Know,
COURSE ORIENTATION Learn) based on how they perceived on
 CLASSROOM RULES / course.
ECLASSROOM RULES
 GUIDELINES Integration – The faculty will facilitate an
 COURSE REQUIREMENTS activity/discussion that would help the
GRADING SYSTEM students realize that SCAS, together with the
course, will help the students become
functional members of the society through
their shared ideals and principles

Week 2 WEEK TWO

DISCUSSION - LECTURE
SUMULONG COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES - PEOPLE AND THE EARTH ECOSYSTEM SYLLABUS
Page 1
1. Explain the meaning of Ecosystem. Science and art of geography 1. Discuss the meaning of Ecosystem.
2. Enumerate the different kind of ecosystem in ecosystems 2. Ask the students to explain the  Research outputs
different region. Subtopics: meaning of key phrases  Assignments
3. Identify the temperate in each region 1. Temperate: Tundra, Boreal 3. Discuss each major biomes and  Quizzes
4. Relate human population size to natural
Forest, Temperate Forests, aquatic ecosystem.  Long Exam
resources and resource consumption
5. Distinguish among highly developed
Grasslands Tropical: 4. Discuss the population and how  Reflection Journal 2:
countries, moderately developed countries, Deserts, Savanna, Dry community responses to changing “Explain why a country with
and less developed countries. Forests, Tropical Forests condition overtime the world’s largest level of
2. Earth’s major biomes, Think, pair, and share consumption may not have
aquatic ecosystems, 1. Ask the students to list down at least the largest population”
population and community 20 countries and rank them by each
responses to changing development.
condition over time.

Week 3 WEEK THREE

  Lecture – The faculty member will discuss  Quizzes
1. Define sustainable development. Sustainability about the given topics through his/her prefer
2. Outline some of the complexities Subtopics: methodologies (power point presentation,
associated with the concept of 1. Human use of the earth, oral, group).
sustainable consumption. 2. Human values and
3. Contrast voluntary simplicity and
environmental problems, Case Study 1:
technological progress..
3. Environmental justice Question 1: Making effective personal and
professional decisions requires access to
appropriate, high-quality information. Where
would you go for information to make
decisions about the environment? How
would you rank the following as trusted
sources? Which of these do you rely on?
 Friends and family
 Social media (Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram, etc.)

SUMULONG COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES - PEOPLE AND THE EARTH ECOSYSTEM SYLLABUS
Page 1
  News media (websites, printed
newspapers, magazines, television, radio,
etc.)
 Scientific journals and conference
proceedings
 Political leaders
Question 2:
a. In which biome do you live? What
human-caused threats are faced by
your biome and how might you help
reduce them?
b. Which other biomes might be
affected by your lifestyle, such as the
foods you ear or other resources you
consume?

Week 4 WEEK FOUR

Lecture – The faculty member will discuss Reaction or Reflection Journal
1. Define population ecology. Human population change and about the given topics through his/her prefer 3:
2. Explain the four factors that produce the environment methodologies (power point presentation, “The human population has
changes in population size. Subtopics: oral, group). grown as we have increased our
3. Summarize the history of human 1. Population ecology, global carrying capacity. In your
population growth. 2. Human population Timeline – The students will make a timeline opinion, can the global carrying
4. Identify Thomas Malthus, relate his patterns, showing the human population growth of the capacity continue to increase?
ideas on human population growth, and 3. Stabilizing world Philippines since 1900’s up to present. Explain your answer.”
explain why he may or may not have population,
been wrong.
4. Population and
5. Explain how highly developed and urbanization
developing countries differ in
population characteristics such as infant
mortality rate, total fertility rate,
replacement-level fertility, and age

SUMULONG COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES - PEOPLE AND THE EARTH ECOSYSTEM SYLLABUS
Page 1
 structure.
6. Describe some of the problems
associated with rapid growth rates in
large urban areas.

Week 5 WEEK FIVE

Lecture – The faculty member will discuss  Quizzes
1. Define plate tectonics and explain its Mineral and soil resources about the given topics through his/her prefer  Research outputs
relationship to earthquakes and volcanic methodologies (power point presentation,
eruptions. Subtopics: oral, group).
2. Diagram a simplified version of the rock
cycle. 1. Plate tectonics and the Research:
3. Enumerate the soil properties rock cycle, economic 1. Ask the students to research and list
4. Discuss on who to make soil geology, environmental down the minerals and soil resources
conservation implications of mineral in the Philippines.
use, soil properties, soil 2. Figure out the mineral and soil status
conservation in the Philippines
Week 6 WEEK SIX
Preliminary Examination Review Long test

Week 7 WEEK SEVEN Reaction or Reflection Journal

Lecture – The faculty member will discuss 4:
1. Define sustainable forestry and explain Land resources about the given topics through his/her prefer “Being the new generation
how monocultures and wildlife corridors Subtopic: methodologies (power point presentation, today, how will you preserve the
are related to it. 1. Land use in the Philippines, oral, group). land resources today? Why?”
2. Define deforestation, including clear- forest management,
cutting, and list the main causes of
deforestation, rangelands, Timeline – The students will make a timeline
tropical deforestation.
conservation of land showing the land resources of the Philippines
3. Describe national forests and state
which government agencies administer resources since 1900’s up to present.
them and current issues of concern.

SUMULONG COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES - PEOPLE AND THE EARTH ECOSYSTEM SYLLABUS
Page 1
 Week 8 WEEK EIGHT  Quizzes
1. Differentiate between under nutrition Lecture – The faculty member will discuss
and over nutrition. Agriculture and food resources about the given topics through his/her prefer
2. Define food insecurity and relate it to methodologies (power point presentation,
human population, poverty, and world Subtopic: oral, group).
hunger. 1. World food problems,
3. Contrast industrialized agriculture with principal types of Case Study 2:
subsistence agriculture. agriculture, challenges of Question 1:
4. Describe three kinds of subsistence producing more crops and a. Describe two conservation methods
agriculture.
livestock, solutions to that assist in sustainable food
5. Describe the environmental impacts of
agricultural problems production. As a food consumer,
industrialized agriculture, including land
where might you shop, what
degradation and habitat fragmentation.
questions might you ask, or what sort
of information on labels might you
look for to encourage soil
conservation? Why?

Question 2:
a. What limits, if any, should there be on
how private landowners use their
land?
b. If you were a landowner, what are
some land use decisions you might
have to make that could affect both
the public and the environment?
Week 9 WEEK NINE
Lecture – The faculty member will discuss Reaction or Reflection Journal
1. Describe factors associated with species Biodiversity and conservation about the given topics through his/her prefer 5:
richness. methodologies (power point presentation, “If you had the assets and
2. Define biological diversity and Subtopics: oral, group). authority to take any measure
distinguish among species richness, 1. Species richness and to protect and preserve
genetic diversity, and ecosystem
SUMULONG COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES - PEOPLE AND THE EARTH ECOSYSTEM SYLLABUS
Page 1
 diversity. biological diversity, biological diversity, but could
3. Relate several important ecosystem 2. endangered and extinct take only one, what would it be?
services provided by biological diversity. species, Why?”
4. Define extinction and distinguish 3. conservation biology,
between background extinction and conservation policies
mass extinction.
5. Contrast threatened and endangered
species.
6. Describe four human causes of species
endangerment and extinction.
Week 10 WEEK TEN
 Quizzes
1. Describe the structure of a water Freshwater resources and water Lecture – The faculty member will discuss
molecule and explain how hydrogen pollution about the given topics through his/her prefer
bonds form between adjacent water methodologies (power point presentation,
molecules. Subtopics: oral, group).
2. List the unique properties of water.
1. Importance of water,
3. Explain how processes of the hydrologic
water resource problems, Case Study 3:
cycle allow water to circulate through
water management, water Question 1: Write an outline of a brief water
the abiotic environment.
4. Relate some of the problems caused by pollution, improving water conservation plan for your own daily use.
aquifer depletion, overdrawing of quality Consider both the quantity and quality of
surface waters, and salinization of 2. Global ocean, major ocean water you use. How could you use water
irrigated soil. life zones, human impacts more sustainably?
5. Define sustainable water use. on the ocean, addressing
6. Contrast the benefits and drawbacks of ocean problems Question 2: Identify the major sources of
dams and reservoirs. particulate matter near where you live. What
7. Define water pollution. actions could you take to reduce particulate
8. Distinguish among primary, secondary, matter? What laws or regulations limit
and tertiary treatments for wastewater. particulate matter in your region?

Week 11 WEEK ELEVEN

SUMULONG COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES - PEOPLE AND THE EARTH ECOSYSTEM SYLLABUS
Page 1
 1. Define atmosphere and list the major Air and air pollution Lecture – The faculty member will discuss  Quizzes
gases comprising the atmosphere. about the given topics through his/her prefer  Research outputs
2. Briefly describe the four major Subtopics methodologies (power point presentation,
concentric layers of the atmosphere. 1. The atmosphere, types and oral, group).
3. Relate, in general terms, the adverse sources of air pollution,
health effects of air pollutants. effects of air pollution, Research:
4. Contrast air pollution in highly controlling air pollutants, 1. Give at least five (5) examples of
developed countries and in developing indoor air pollution strategies to mitigate or adapt to global
countries. climate change.
2. Atmosphere and climate,
5. Describe the effects of indoor air global climate change,
pollution in developing countries.
ozone depletion, acid
6. Explain why radon gas is an indoor
deposition
health hazard.
7. Distinguish between weather and
climate, and explain what determines
Earth’s climate.
8. List the five main greenhouse gases and
describe the enhanced greenhouse
effect.
9. Discuss some of the potential effects of
global climate change.
10. Give examples of strategies to mitigate
or adapt to global climate change.

Week 12

Midterm Examinations Group project on AVP or role play Long Test

Week 13 WEEK THIRTEEN Lecture – The faculty member will discuss

about the given topics through his/her prefer Reaction or Reflection Journal
1. Distinguish between municipal and Solid and hazardous waste methodologies (power point presentation, 6:
nonmunicipal solid waste. Subtopic: oral, group). “Is the Republic Act (RA) 9003,
2. Describe the features of a modern otherwise known as the
SUMULONG COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES - PEOPLE AND THE EARTH ECOSYSTEM SYLLABUS
Page 1
 sanitary landfill and relate some of the 1. Solid waste, reducing solid Ecological Solid Waste
problems associated with sanitary waste, managing Research: Management Act of 2000 fully
landfills. hazardous waste Republic Act (RA) 9003, otherwise known as in implemented in the
3. Describe the features of a mass burn the Ecological Solid Waste Management Philippines? Why or why not?”
incinerator and relate some of the Act of 2000.
problems associated with incinerators
4. Define source reduction.
5. Summarize how source reduction, reuse,
and recycling help reduce the volume of
solid waste.
6. Define integrated waste management.

Week 14 WEEK FOURTEEN

 Quizzes
1. Compare per person and total energy Nonrenewable energy resources
consumption in highly developed and Lecture – The faculty member will discuss
developing countries. Subtopic: about the given topics through his/her prefer
2. Distinguish between surface mining and 1. Energy consumption, coal, methodologies (power point presentation,
subsurface mining. oil and natural gas, nuclear oral, group).
3. Describe two technologies that can be energy
used to make coal a cleaner fuel. Case Study 4:
4. .Define nuclear energy and describe a When oil spills like the 2006’s Guimaras oil
typical nuclear power reactor.
spill occur, many people place the blame on
5. Discuss the pros and cons of electric
the owners or operators. Consider whether
power produced by nuclear energy
people who benefit from petroleum products
versus coal.
(automobiles, plastic water bottles, farm
6. Describe safety issues associated with
nuclear power plants and risks equipment, etc.) are also to blame. Should
associated with the storage of knowing that oil spills might occur matter as
radioactive wastes. we make consumer choices? Provide
arguments on both sides of this issue.

Week 15 WEEK FIFTEEN

SUMULONG COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES - PEOPLE AND THE EARTH ECOSYSTEM SYLLABUS
Page 1
 Lecture – The faculty member will discuss
1. Distinguish between active and passive Renewable energy resources about the given topics through his/her prefer  Quizzes
solar heating and describe how each is methodologies (power point presentation,
used. Subtopic: oral, group).
2. Contrast the advantages and 1. Direct solar energy,
disadvantages of photovoltaic solar cells indirect solar energy, other
and solar thermal electric generation in renewable energy sources,
converting solar energy into electricity.
conservation of energy
3. Define biomass and outline its use as a
source of energy.
4. Compare the potential of wind energy
and hydropower.

Week 16 WEEK SIXTEEN

Reaction or Reflection Journal
1. Define conservation and preservation, Environmental history, politics, Lecture – The faculty member will discuss 7:
and distinguish between them. and economics about the given topics through his/her prefer If you were a member of Congress,
2. Distinguish between utilitarian methodologies (power point presentation, what legislation would you
conservationists and bio-centric Subtopic: oral, group). introduce to deal with each of the
preservationists. 1. Conservation and following problems?
3. Explain how a systems perspective helps preservation of resources, 1. Toxin from a major sanitary
us understand human impacts on the landfill are polluting your
environmental history,
environment. state’s groundwater
legislation and economics
4. Describe how environmental impact 2. Acid rain from a coal-
statements provide powerful protection burning power plant in a
of the environment. nearby state is harming the
trees in your state. Loggers
and foresters are upset.
Week 17 WEEK SEVENTEEN
Lecture – The faculty member will discuss  Quizzes
1. Define risk and risk assessment. Risk analysis and environmental about the given topics through his/her prefer
2. Explain how risk assessment helps us hazards methodologies (power point presentation,
manage potential health threats. oral, group).
SUMULONG COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES - PEOPLE AND THE EARTH ECOSYSTEM SYLLABUS
Page 1
 3. Describe the link between Subtopic:
environmental changes and emerging 1. A perspective on risks,
diseases, such as swine flu. environmental health
4. Define toxicology and epidemiology. hazards, movement of
5. Discuss the precautionary principle as it toxicants, determining
relates to the introduction of new health effects of pollutants
technologies or products.
Week 18 Final Examination Final Examination – Written
OCT. 15-17, 2019 ( Lecture)

Course Requirements: Research, Reflection paper, and Case study

Prepared by:

MR. MARK LEONIL T. TAN, LPT

INSTRUCTOR

Reviewed and recommended by: Approved by:

DR. MARLYN M. AQUINO DR. ANTONIO R. PANTISMA

DEAN, SUMOLONG COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES SCHOOL PRESIDENT

SUMULONG COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES - PEOPLE AND THE EARTH ECOSYSTEM SYLLABUS
Page 1