Appendix C: Anticipation Guide Perspectives Students were asked to express their opinions regarding statements related to topics discussed in First Year Seminar both at the beginning of the semester and again at the end of the semester. The focus is to gauge how their opinions changed. The most significant changes occurred with these questions: •
I have a peaceful and nonviolent action plan to help resolve problems related to environmental sustainability.
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I feel educated on issues related to sustainability and the protection of natural resources.
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I am familiar with the challenges associated with environmental sustainability.
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I connect issues of sustainability with peace and nonviolence.
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I understand different perspectives of environmental sustainability such as religion, peace & nonviolence, and social work.
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I understand how sustainability impacts different parts of our world in different ways.
Students were also asked to write about the most significant changes that occured within themselves throughout the course of First Year Seminar and why those changes occurred. Here are some of those responses: “I feel more educated now than before about these issues, and I’ve learned new ways that I can help sustain the environment. I started recycling more than before, and this whole process has helped to change my perspective.” “At the beginning of the semester, I had no idea what I could do to help sustain the environment. I now know big ways the environment can be sustained such as with wind and solar energy, and smaller ways such as growing your own produce or using a rain barrel.” “One of the most significant changes is that I now take a personal interest in helping this world and helping others.” “Before, I didn’t connect sustainability with other issues. Now, I connect it with religion, nonviolence, and social class.” “Before this class, I had no idea about sustainability and what it was. I now can tell you what it is and how it affects all of us individually.” “In the beginning of the year, I was doing nothing to live green. After a few classes of First Year Seminar, my roommate and I asked to have a recycling box to put empty plastic bottles. We use this religiously every day.”
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