Coalition for Christian Colleges and Universities
Global Stewardship Initiative
Campus Activity Report (1995-1996)
Azusa Pacific University
Dr. Scott S. Kinnes
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT:
Developed an environmental ecological component for the BIOL 365 Plant Biology course she teaches for the Department of Biology and Chemistry. This course is designed for Liberal Arts majors and those planning on going into teaching at all levels. The course now includes field and experimental strategies covering various environmental science issues and was successfully taught during the Spring 1996 semester.
Designed, in conjunction with Dr. Kinnes and others in the Departments of Biology and Chemistry and Math and Physics, and began the approval process for a new M.A. in Science Education. The integrated science component of the program is designed to be highly environmentally oriented with at least one course being taught totally around an environmental theme.
Wrote a joint university/high school proposal to develop high school curriculum that would relate environmental science issues important to Joshua Tree National Park.
Served as a training facilitator for workshops on the development of environmentally-oriented curriculum for High School Project Learning Tree, Project WET, and grant-funded training at Cal Poly for university environmental educators.
Taught in two European cities as a part of Operation Impact.
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
Wrote a grant to support the purchase of additional property in support of a wildlife corridor in the San Gabriel Valley. Portions will appear on the November 1996 ballot as part of a parks bond measure.
Served as a consultant in the assessment of proposed development of a water-theme park in a local regional park (Bonelli Regional Park) for a community-based group seeking to protect the park from expansion and development of the water park. Assisted in matters related to biodiversity, wildlife pathways, ridgeline significance and sensitive species issues.
Served as a consulting "reader" for several competitive county grant applications relative to environmental/ecological proposals.
Re-elected to the presidency of Glendora Community Conservancy, a very active environmental action group.
Served as a member of the LAC Advisory Committee for the United States Forest Service, particularly the Limits of Acceptable Change planning group dealing with future use and priorities in the Angeles National Forest.
Participated in lobbying/influencing county and state government related to environmental decisions and legislation.
Perhaps her most far-reaching and involved action was her design and implementation of a unique community awareness program featuring stewardship education and environmental awareness and called the Brodiaea Festival after a local endangered plant. Designed as a partnership between Azusa Pacific University, the City of Glendora, its Chamber of Commerce and the Glendora Community Conservancy, the week-long festival featured a variety of activities throughout the community. APU students were involved in numerous ways as were local community schools as environmental science fairs, hiking trail tours, etc. were held.
Prof. Roger Conover: Having come to APU from Floresta, a Christian environmental organization, Prof. Conover has a rich background in environmentally related areas. As he is currently working on his doctorate, his time has been limited during the past year. However, he has been active in several important areas.
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT:
Designed and taught, as part of the new Applied Environmental Technology major, the new course BUSI 255 Environmental Economics. This course dealt specifically with ecological issues of relevance to business and the economics of environmental issues. The first class was composed of both business and AET majors.
Designed and taught BUSI 544 World Trade and Economic Development for the the Masters in Business Administration degree. Covering trade theory and economic geography, Prof. Conover designed into the course significant coverage of issues on resource use, environmental issues, and population topics.
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
Served as the 1995 Chairman of the Board of Floresta.
Continues on as a member of the Board of Floresta.
CONTINUING EDUCATION:
As part of a Ph.D program in Economics as UC Riverside, is taken courses in environmental economics and contributed significantly to a course in Economic Development Project Analysis as it dealt with economic analysis of environmental impacts.
Prof. Don Dorr: As a professor in the new Global Studies major and a relative new-comer to the field of environmental issues, Prof. Dorr has spent a great deal of time broadening and deepening his own foundation in global stewardship.
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT:
Researched and guided the purchase of numerous volumes related to environmental issues from an intercultural and biblical perspective to enlarge the libraries holdings in this area.
Designed and taught a Global Studies Senior Seminar course from a distinctly stewardship perspective.
Dr. Scott Kinnes: As lead team member of the GSI group, Dr. Kinnes has been guiding the overall GSI project while continuing to serve as Director of the Applied Environmental Technology program.
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT:
Designed and gained approval for six new courses as part of the new AET major. These courses include:
BIOL 125 Hazardous Material and Wastes
BIOL 235 Environmentla Law and Regulations
BIOL 245 Environmental Toxicology and Assessment
BIOL 435 Stewardship Ecology
BIOL 425 Environmental Heath
BIOL 445 Environmentla Internship
BIOL 125 Hazardous Material and Wastes is currently being taught.
Assisted in the design and approval of three additional new courses within this major:
PHYC 215 Environmental Aspects of Soil, Water and Air
BUSI 255 Environmental Economics
ENGL 225 Technical Writing
BUSI 255 Environmental Economics was taught during the Fall 1995 semester.
Designed and is currently teaching a new general studies senior seminar course that is now required for all seniors in the Department of Biology. Entitled BIOL 496 Senior Seminar: Ethics and the Sciences, it revolves entirely around a stewardship theme and incorporates significant ecological issues.
Assisted in the development of proposed M.A. in Science Education which will incorporate a unique integrated science course created around an environmental theme.
CONFERENCES:
Hosted the Spring 1996 GSI Workshop held at APU.
Attended Southern California Conference on Ecology at UC Fullerton.
Participated in several meetings of the Southern California Partnership for Environmental Technology Education group, as a representative of four-year universities offering such programs.
Presented a paper entitled "Stewardship Ecology: Spotted Owls, Humans or Both" at the ACSI Annual Conference.
RESEARCH:
Supervised BIOL 111 General Biology II class research project studying the effects of acid rain on aquatic microcosms.
Supervised independent study project on the effects of abiotic factors on invertebrate larvae of the North Fork of the San Gabriel River.
Conducted, in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin- Madison, research into possible natural predators of the larvae of Shistosoma mansoni , the blood fluke.
Dr. William Yarchin: As a representative from The School of Theology, Dr. Yarchin has had the opportunity to incorporate his increased knowledge of stewardship theology and creation theology into the courses he has taught in that school.
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT:
Integrated sections on God's relationship to creation into his UBBL301 Hebrew and Poetical and Wisdom Literature course.
Integrated sections on creation theology into several courses being taught as part of APU's Degree Completion program. Each of these courses are designed for, primarily, non-Christians who are business oriented. This has offered unique opportunities to make connections between the Bible, stewardship themes, and the business world.
APU CAMPUS:
Paul Austin: As the campus Chemical Hygiene Officer, Mr. Austin has been instrumental is bringing the entire campus into compliance with state and federal regulations regarding the handling, storage and disposal of toxic material. Working with all facets of the campus and with a substantial budget, he has brought APU to the forefront of Southern California institutions in this area, serving as a resource for others seeking to do so.
Randy Burke: As director of the Grounds Division of Physical Plant, Mr. Burke has been significant in making use of sound environmental techniques in the care of the grounds surrounding the two APU campuses. He has also been supervising the creation of the University Instructional Garden being created around the Wynn Science Center in order to bring a unique form of environmental education to the campus. The mini-grant APU received was in support of this garden.
Brad Antonides: As a student intern in the Masters program in Student College Affairs Program, Brad has been at the forefront in attempting to get various types of recycling programs started on campus, with mixed results.
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