These are only some examples of the video lectures for the above course at the American University of Sovereign Nations (AUSN).
Enrolled students of AUSN gain credit hours through active live participation in classes. A list of required and elective courses for each degree program are provided in the degree program descriptions. In addition, they receive the AUSN Video lecture Archive Sheet to record which videos they have watched for additional knowledge. For countries that do not allow Youtube access (Channel: American University of Sovereign Nations), an original file can be shared with enrolled AUSN students. Anyone can request to try out a live AUSN class for free by writing to Dr. Darryl Macer, Provost, AUSN; Email: provost@ausovereignnations.org
AUSN as an intellectual forum for intercultural dialogue upholds the value of academic freedom for all professors and students, and the views expressed in the videos are not those of AUSN. The videos are a selection of the total video archive of AUSN that supplements the contact hours provided by in-person lectures, group skype sessions, and other supervised contact at AUSN.
The course description and expected competencies for this course are provided below. Some students use these videos to prepare for the course examinations, which in AUSN are open book/open Internet exams, where students need to prepare written answers (unless there is some condition that makes an oral exam the only possibility).
Links to example video lectures from the BIOS course
BIOS8, Prof. M. Selvanayagam, Resolving Biodiversity Conflicts: Comparisons between India and Equador
BIOS9, Sequioa, Studio (Nature), 1.7 hrs, Prof. Darryl Macer, Environmental ethics in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
BIOS10, ZionDM, May 2018, 1 hr, Prof. Darryl Macer, Bioethics and Biodiversity at the Zion National Park
BIOS11, Prof. Darryl Macer, Kaeng Krachan Peace Park Excursions
ESTE32, Prof. Darryl Macer, Sustainable Energy and Biodiversity: Solar, Wind and Biosphere2 Arizona
Course details
Course Objectives: This course aims to introduce the basics of biosystematics and the biosphere, and discuss the ethical, legal and social (ELSI) issues.
Course Purpose: This course introduces the basics of basics of biosystematics and ecology, so that students will be able to consider the environment from an ecological perspective.
Topics that are covered:
1) What is Biodiversity
2) Biodiversity ethics;
3) Deforestation
4) Ways of valuing biodiversity and views of life
5) Ecotourism
6) Community engagement methods related to mining
7) Energy production
8) Bioremediation and clean-up of polluted sites
9) Water Ethics
Competencies:
1) Describe, identify and analyse the phylogeny of organisms
2) Explain the diversity of organisms based on morphological and molecular characteristics.
3) Engage in quality thinking, reflective processes and creative thinking.
4) Build hypotheses to answer a specific scientific question
6. To highlight the values of biodiversity, the importance of biodiversity and its loss. (Residential)
7. Understand the need for Community engagement in environmental planning