Information Package / Course Catalogue
Ecological Literacy
Course Code: BYL339
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 0
Credit: 2
Lab: 0
ECTS: 3
Objectives of the Course

Ecological literacy is the ability to understand the natural systems that make life on Earth possible. This course aims to raise students' awareness of ecological issues and enhance their literacy levels

Course Content

This course will cover ecology, ecological issues, ecological literacy, and the intersection of media and ecology.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.Understands the subject matter and scope of ecology and grasp the fundamental concepts of ecology.
2.Learns the basic matter cycles in ecosystems and understands the concepts of food chains.
3.Recognizes the ecosystems of our world, understands their importance and value, and comprehends how life in nature has developed and how living organisms coexist through cooperation.
4.Identifies wetlands and understands their importance and value.
5.Understands the importance of biodiversity, recognizes significant biodiversity areas, and comprehends why they should be protected.
6.Analyzes and understands how the living organisms with which we share the world interact and cooperate with one another.
7.Understands environmental problems and is able to design and propose solutions to these issues.
8.Analyzes the causes of global climate change, understands how it can harm living organisms, and evaluates ways to prevent or mitigate its effects.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Özdemir, O. (2017). Ekolojik Okuryazarlık ve Çevre Eğitimi. Pagem Akademi, İstanbul.
2.Ecological Literacy: Education and the Transition to a Postmodern World - David W. Orr
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Subject and scope of ecology. What are the general concepts of ecology?
Week 2 - Theoretical
The concept of energy in ecosystems, what are nutrient cycles in ecosystems and why are they important? Food chains/Food webs.
Week 3 - Theoretical
Major ecosystems of the world: Terrestrial ecosystems, freshwater ecosystems, marine ecosystems.
Week 4 - Theoretical
Wetlands and their importance.
Week 5 - Theoretical
The concept and importance of biodiversity, Ecotones, Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA), National Parks.
Week 6 - Theoretical
Zoology Museum and Botanical Garden field trip.
Week 7 - Theoretical
Disruption of natural balance and environmental issues: Air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution and their effects on nature.
Week 8 - Theoretical
Global climate change (Midterm exam).
Week 9 - Theoretical
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
Week 10 - Theoretical
Conservation of nature, ecological balance, what is an ecological footprint? Earth’s resources, sustainability, and recycling
Week 11 - Theoretical
The origin and development of life, interactions between organisms, natural selection, and heredity.
Week 12 - Theoretical
What can we do to protect biodiversity and the ecological balance in the world? (Discussion).
Week 13 - Theoretical
Environment, ecological literacy, and media/social media.
Week 14 - Theoretical
Examination of national and international environmental campaigns
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Attending Lectures1%5
Verbal Examination1%5
Midterm Examination1%30
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory140228
Midterm Examination120121
Final Examination125126
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)75
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
PÇ-14
PÇ-15
OÇ-1
4
2
2
2
3
OÇ-2
4
2
3
3
1
2
OÇ-3
4
3
2
4
3
OÇ-4
4
2
5
3
2
OÇ-5
5
3
4
3
4
1
1
OÇ-6
5
3
3
2
4
1
OÇ-7
4
4
3
4
4
2
OÇ-8
5
4
3
4
4
2
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026