Course syllabus

Course Summary

This course, required for Majors in the DCP Program in Sustainability and the Built Environment (SBE) and open to Non-Majors, introduces students to the core concepts of spatial and temporal thinking that underpin the planning, design, construction, operations, and management of built environments and human heritage along the natural-to-urban transect. Concepts are considered through sustainable development and community resilience frameworks.

 

Course Overview & Purpose

 

Course Goals

This course teaches students, from any disciplinary background, to “think outside the box” such that they may sense, and make sense, of people (be), place (here), and pace (now) from multidimensional perspectives. Emphasis is placed on how spatial and temporal thinking can be iteratively improved, through contemplative lived experience, in order to better monitor, measure, model, and manifest more resilient communities, rooted upon human values worthy of being sustained.

 

Course Content & Expectations

This course includes theoretical and applied readings, facilitated dialogue, and active learning via in-class and around-campus exercises. Students succeed when they are inquisitive, adaptive, creative, collaborative, self-directed, and willing to add new points of view to their present perspective.

 

Student Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, successful students will be able to... 

Required Text(s) to Buy

 

Required Text(s) Available  for Free Online

   

  

 

Recommended Text(s) Available  for Free Online

 

 

Optional Texts & Resources

 

 

 

In addition to the required text(s), various supplemental, free publications identified for class discussion and/or assignments may be supplied via the UF Canvas e-Learning portal (https://lss.at.ufl.edu/ ).

 

The required and optional technologies for this course are as follows:

• A portable computing device (e.g., tablet, laptop) for in-class and at-home work

• A digital camera (e.g., smartphone)
• ArcGIS Online
  • Free for UF faculty and students
  • See Info > Digital Tools & Storyboard Resources for more information

 

Beyond the required textbook(s), minor, out-of-pocket student incidental expenses may include those associated with personal mobile computing and file storage/transfer device(s) or web-based services to research, present, and share information in class.

For students who plan to stay in the course, please visit the Course Wayfinding page to learn about the your path, including the course structure, expectations, and preparation actions.

    Start Here > Course Introduction & Wayfinding

  

General course module main topics and sub-topics are summarized below. Official weekly readings, assignments, and course content will be posted within Canvas and are subject to change.

 

   Course Module > CM.00 > SBE > Sustainability & the Built Environment

• SBE.01 > Finding Purpose in Facilitating Prosperity for People & Planet
• SBE.02 > Navigating Now & Next: SBE Curricula & Careers
• SBE.03 > Connecting & Concluding: Wrapping Up & Wayfinding the Who, What, Where, When, Why, & How

 

   Course Module > CM.01 > GPS > Geography of Physical Space

• GPS.01 > Location
• GPS.02 > Perspective & Points of View
• GPS.03 > Direction & Magnitude
• GPS.04 > Proportion & Scale
• GPS.05 > Dimension

 

   Course Module > CM.02 > GSS > Geography of Social Space

• GSS.01 > Sense of Space, Place, & Pace
• GSS.02 > Memory, Moments, & Momentum
• GSS.03 > Proxemics
• GSS.04 > Experience & Culture
• GSS.05 > Geography of Nowhere

 

   Course Module > CM.03 > TSR > Tools of Spatial Representation

• One-Dimensional (1D)
  • TSR.1D.01 > Time Series & the Dynamics of Change
• Two-Dimensional (2D)
  • TSR.2D.01 > XY Geographic Information Systems (2D GIS)
  • TSR.2D.02 > Diagrams & Map Making
• Three-Dimensional (3D)
  • TSR.3D.01 > XYZ Geographic Information Systems (3D GIS)
  • TSR.3D.02 > Physical-to-Virtual: LIDAR & Photogrammetry in Preserving Heritage (Digitization)
  • TSR.3D.02 > Virtual-to-Physical: Printing & Fabrication (Manifestation)
• Multi-Dimensional (MD)
  • TSR.MD.01 > Virtual Design & Construction (VDC) & Building Information Modeling (BIM)
  • TSR.MD.02 > WXYZ+ Geographic Information Systems (4D GIS)

 

   Course Module > CM.04 > PSR > Processes of Spatial Reasoning

• PSR.01 > Geodesign
• PSR.02 > Map Use Environments

 

  Informational Resources

 

Assignment details, deliverables, due dates, and grades will be published on Canvas and may be subject to change. Grades are generally based on 1,000 points over the course of the semester. See the syllabus page "Summary" (at the bottom of this page) and the "Assignments" tab (left sidebar menu) for the most current information.

 

Attendance & Punctuality (AP) @ 100 Points (10%)

• Required

 

Discussion Posts (DP) @ 300 Points (30%)

• Readings, Discussions, & Class Activities (@ 20 points/each)
  • DP > Weekly & Module-Based

 

Exams (E) @ 300 Points (30%)

• Two Exams (@ 150 points/each)
  • E.01 > Course Modules (CM) 1st Half
  • E.02 > Course Modules (CM) 2nd Half

 

Student Projects (SP) @ 300 Points (30%)

• Individual and Group (@ 60 points/each)
  • SP.01 > Individual > Location
  • SP.02 > Individual > Memory
  • SP.03 > Individual > Social Life of Small Urban Spaces
  • SP.04 > Team > Mapping Patterns
  • SP.05 > Individual Spatial Storytelling

 

Grades are based on evidence that students have completed assigned readings, participated actively in all class discussions and activities, completed writing and presentation assignments, and completed both in-class and outside-of-class activities throughout the semester. Completed tasks will be evaluated based on pertinence of content, critical thinking, creativity, and communication. Details and due dates for assignments are posted on Canvas. The University standard suggests students might expect to study outside of class for up to 3 times the weekly class contact periods (e.g., a 3-credit course might be 3 x 3 periods = 9 hours in Fall/Spring or 3 x 6 periods = 18 hours in Summer A).

Final student grades are rounded up on the hundredths units (i.e., a 92.95% becomes a 93.0%) and follow University of Florida grades and grading policies.

• Undergraduate Students:
  • https://catalog.ufl.edu/UGRD/academic-regulations/grades-grading-policies

Teaching Philosophy & Expectations

I have experience in commercial construction management, planning, facilitation, systems ecology, and temporal and spatial analytics of land use change. I am passionate about the technologies and thought processes, policies, procedures, and decision-support strategies necessary to establish and sustain equitable, empowered, safe, healthy, and resilient communities adaptive to uncertainty.

 

• Student expectations of instructor:
  • Enthusiasm for the course; engaging lectures and discussions; application of knowledge through classroom activities and fieldwork; organized and neat course materials; unbiased guidance; encouragement of critical thought; and reasonable availability to meet with students outside of class.
• Instructor expectations of students:
  • Compassionate curiosity; positive attention and intention; willingness to learn with open heart, open mind, and open will; consistent attendance; punctual arrival; active participation in our class discussions and activities; advance reading of class content; on-time completion and submission of assignments; proper citation management; adherence to proper netiquette and all University rules and regulations.

 

Attendance is mandatory, counts as 10% of the overall grade, and is assessed based on each class period as a percentage of all class periods over the duration of the semester.

Attendance scores are based on the ratio of periods present over all periods taught. For example, in a three-credit course over 15 weeks, there might be approximately 45 class periods (not counting any holiday or campus closure situations). Missing a multi-period day of class will count as multiple absences in accordance with the number of periods. Students may miss up to the equivalent number of class periods as the course credits (e.g., 3 credits = 3 periods @ 50 minutes/each in Spring/Fall & 2 periods @ 75 minutes/each in Summer A) without penalty and with no need for an excuse. Thus, to earn perfect attendance without getting excused absence approval, you would need 42 periods present, plus 3 free periods of unexcused absence to equal 45 out of 45 possible periods being present.

Beyond those “waived” absences and religious holidays, students must provide a valid, and properly documented, excuse in accordance with the UF “acceptable reasons for absence from or failure to engage in class.” Otherwise, unexcused points will be deducted proportional to the total number of periods where attendance was taken. Requirements for class attendance and make-up exams, assignments, and other work in this course are consistent with University policies as found at the following link:

• https://catalog.ufl.edu/UGRD/academic-regulations/attendance-policies

 

Professionalism

As future sustainability professionals in training, you are preparing for potential future meetings and collaboration. Thus, students are encouraged to participate in-person and/or online with dress and demeanor befitting a informal workplace. 

 

Netiquette – Communication Courtesy

All members of the class are expected to follow rules of common courtesy in all email messages, threaded discussions and chats within Canvas and other online services. Please refer to these resources.

• http://biostat.ufl.edu/resources/e-learning-resources/e-learning-basics/etiquette-online
• https://teach.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/NetiquetteGuideforOnlineCourses.docx 

For more information about academic policies (e.g., attendance, accommodations, grading, conduct, honesty, in-class recording) and resources (e.g., technical support, career services, library support, writing studio, academic complaints), please visit the official University of Florida syllabus policy links page.

• https://syllabus.ufl.edu/syllabus-policy/uf-syllabus-policy-links/ 

 

Special Consideration

The principle of equal treatment of all students is a fundamental guide in responding to requests for special consideration. No student shall be given an opportunity to improve a grade that is not made available to all members of the class. This policy is not intended to exclude reasonable accommodation of verified student disability or the completion of work missed due to religious observance, verified illness, or absence due to circumstances beyond your control. Reconsideration of subjective judgments of an individual student’s work will be done only if all students in the class can be and are given the same consideration.

Your safety, health, and wellbeing are important to our University community. Students experiencing crises or personal problems that interfere with their general well-being or academic performance are strongly encouraged to talk to the instructor and/or to utilize the University’s confidential counseling resources, available at no cost to currently enrolled students.

Below is a helpful resource portal that UFID holders may access through the UF single sign-on (SSO) service affiliated with their @UFL accounts.

• One.UF > Whole Gator
  • https://one.uf.edu/whole-gator/discover 

 

"A growth mindset’s defining characteristic—the belief that intelligence is malleable—provides a powerful formula for improving student outcomes. Students who believe that they can get smarter and that effort makes them smarter will put in the effort that leads to higher achievement." - American University School of Education

Change is the only constant. Within the SBE Program, we focus on a triple-E approach to intrapersonal and interpersonal growth and development. That is, we support our students in placing their attention and intention on effort, earnestness, and equanimity in the pursuit of eudaimonia. In the lab of life, lessons are best learned when seeing failure as feedback for your future fitness and adaptability in uncertainty. Your instructor encourages you to foster a growth mindset and to leverage the University and SBE resources available to help you thrive.

Below is a helpful resource page for SBE students to make the most of their active learning opportunities, student living experiences, and wayfinding within our program and beyond.

• UF > DCP > SBE > Where
  • https://dcp.ufl.edu/sbe/where/