Syllabus
Spring 2000: HNR 305-01
The Organic Garden
Peer Instructors: James Goldschmidt & Aaron Zlatkin
Supervising Instructor: Dr. Tom Zaniello
(office: HR 111. Hours:M 2-3:50)
phone:572-5530
Email: James Goldschmidt: jamesg@iac.net
Aaron Zlatkin: zlatkin@nku.edu
JG&AZ home phone: 581-4734

Course Objectives:
Three objectives fuel this course. The first is implied through the title of the course, which is to learn how to effectively plan, develop, and maintain an organic garden. The second goal is to engage students in organizational activities in real world situations, within the context of planning and evolving the garden as a community. The hope is for students to become more confident in practical matters of day-to-day life, as well as in academic matters of research and knowing the best resources to use. The third goal is to gain an appreciation of the garden in its historical, social, and artistic contexts.

Assignments and written work:

  • Two (2) take-home quizzes
  • One (1) research paper on a horticultural or agricultural science topic
  • One (1) research paper on the garden from a historical or aesthetic perspective
  • A weekly journal (to be emailed)
  • A mid-term discussion of literary texts
  • Field work in the garden (the "lab")
  • Class & Group Projects, TBA

All written assignments will be handed in via email. If you need help with this aspect of the course, we will be glad to give you whatever information you need. Late assignments will not be accepted without medical excuse.

Please note that all NKU 3-credit courses require 47 contact hours: 45 classroom hours and a 2-hour exam. Thus, as we meet for two hours only in the first 8 weeks, the "remaining" unused hours will be in a sense "banked" to be drawn on both during and outside of the Monday time slot when garden tasks require more time. Since "contact hours" means hours spent with the instructor(s), we will have to find a time when we can all get together as a group for field work. We will discuss in class the best times for these "secondary" class meetings, and come to an agreement as a class. As with all courses, 2-3 hours of outside class work (the time one spends studying, doing homework and research, working on group projects, etc.) is needed to complete the course successfully.

A word to the common sense impaired: please do not wear your Dolce & Gabanna, Versace, or Prada clothing whilst working in the garden. You will get your clothing dirty and stained and possibly torn. Sandals and bare feet are a terrible idea. Sunblock with an SPF of 15+ is a good idea, and you should take caution against the sun, as we almost lost Aaron to a heatstroke this summer :( (and it was overcast).

A Word About Plagiarism:
"Plagiarism is the unacknowledged use of any material or service in any way whatsoever. If students were to use any printed materials as references for information or for organizing their papers, and if they were to omit the essential citation which indicates where they received their ideas, then they would be guilty of plagiarism. Also, if students were to conceal their dependence on any outside source-say, by paraphrasing or by changing a word here or there-and if they were to avoid noting where they received this information, they would again be guilty of plagiarizing. Any case of plagiarism will be reported to the [Director of the Honors Program], and appropriate action will be taken…." (Dr. Robert T. Rhode, old ENG 265 syllabus, p.2)

Grades:
Your grade will be based on several criteria: in-class participation, research assignments, a log/journal, quizzes, "lab-"work in the garden, several group projects, and a "final exam." Since University regulations prohibit students to grade each other officially, and Dr. Zaniello will be present for only a small percentage of the course, the following scenario has been worked out. The supervising instructor is responsible for grades for the papers and the course as a whole. The peer instructors will assess other criteria, such as in-class participation, and quantify such work for Dr. Zaniello to grade accordingly. You will be expected to initiate and complete your own projects during the semester. These projects may require you to work individually or as a group, as you decide for yourself the best methods to complete these tasks. If you have questions about the course or any ideas to offer, do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone.

Texts:
This course does not require any specifically assigned textbooks; however, a bibliographical list of potential sources is included to serve as a springboard for your own research. Use of the internet is strongly encouraged! Here is a list of WWW links you my find useful. You are not expected to read or even to be familiar with every book on the list, nor should the list be seen as comprehensive. Students will bring to the table their own discovered sources, including books, magazine articles and Web sites, throughout the course of their own research. These readings are only suggestions. One literary text will be required for an in-class discussion that will occur near mid-term, and which will focus upon how the text can be related to the themes of the course.

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