Intro to Plant Based Living Essays - Intentional Living, Nonviolence

Intro to Plant Based Living HE 207 Spring 2017 Instructor: Tracy Nelson [emailprotected] 503-594-3274 Office Hours: Randall 226 by appointment Class Meetings: Thursday's from 12 - 12:50 pm in Randall 201 Course Description/Objectives: This course is designed to give students a basic understanding of what a plant based diet/lifestyle is and the benefits of this type of lifestyle through lectures/videos , speakers, writing assignments and small group work . Students will learn about the physical benefits of a plant based diet, GMO's, organic foods, current environmental impacts, impacts of the big agricultural companies as we ll as the research that has been documented to support the information. Course Requirements/Grading: The assignments listed below as well as regular attendance will be the determining factor for the student's grade. Students can expect up to 9 hours per week of work to complete the assignments for this class . Attendance: Students will receive 10 points for every class attendance throughout the term . 100 points total. Weekly Reflections: Students will be assigned a weekly reading and/or video to watch before each class. Students will write a full 3 page reflection , not a summary, on the material giving their thoughts, views and opinions of the material. Each reflection should be 3 full pages in length and double spaced. Each reflection will be due on Thursday of that week . 25 points each Book Review: Students will choose a book dealing with plant based living and write a comprehensive review on the book. Not only will students give a summary of the book, but also a reflection incorporating their own personal thoughts about the information and their own views. The paper is to be typed, double spaced and full 5-7 pages in length. There is a list of potential book options located on the Moodle page for the course. 100 points. Interview: Students are to go out into the community and interview a person, relative or friend who is a vegetarian or a vegan. Students should ask questions pertaining to this person's current lifestyle choice, such as: why they eat this way? What is a typical daily diet? What changes have you noticed since adopting this lifestyle? How long have you been eating this way? What challenges to you encounter with this lifestyle? Etc. The paper should be typed, double spaced and 4-6 pages and include a final reflection on the interview. 50 points . Dining Experience: Students are to visit a vegetarian/vegan restaurant and write up a report stating: Where did you go? What did you order? How did it taste? Would you go back? What was the atmosphere like? Who was the typical clientele at this restaurant? What is the history of this restaurant? Etc. You can also go to a traditional American restaurant and see how easy it is to get a vegetarian or vegan meal. Will they make something special for you? Can you substitute and eliminate items to meet your needs? The paper should be typed, double spaced and a full 4-6 pages in length. 50 points . Research Paper: The student will choose one area that has been discussed in the class or deals with plant based living and write a research paper on that topic . The paper is to be typed, double spaced and be full 8-10 pages in length. The paper should include at least 3 references and should give a detailed and comprehensive overview of the chosen topic. At the end of your report, students need to give an overall reflection of their current thoughts about plant based living, what you have learned, what changes you may make in your own lifestyle/diet, etc and include a reference page . The reflection is part of your 8-10 pages. 150 points . 100%-90% - A 89%-80% - B 79%-70% - C 69%-60% - D Below 60% - F *Grades will be available throughout the term through your Moodle page. *Students needing accommodations or with disabilities need to talk to the instructor to help meet the needs of the student for the class. Required Text/Materials: Students will have access to the required readings and videos on their Moodle page for the class. Students will not have to purchase