Abstract
This study is the first qualitative study to be done on the University Colloquium, an upper level required course at Florida Gulf Coast University that focuses on sustainability and sustainable living. Each semester between twenty-five and thirty sections of the University Colloquium are taught at Florida Gulf Coast University. This study was done in two parts. The first part of this study brought the University Colloquium into focus by relating the course readings and writing assignments, class discussions, exercises and activities, course outcomes and objectives to the mission of Florida Gulf Coast University and the desired impact of the University's Quality Enhancement Plan. The second part of the study examined the lived experience of students that had successfully completed the course. To accomplish the research objectives of part one of this study, a logic model was constructed. Information from a study of syllabi, schedules, course materials, and university documents relating to the University Colloquium were categorized and placed into a logic model as appropriate. The logic model was reviewed and edited by faculty teaching the University Colloquium in the fall of 2007. Reviews continued until no new edits were made to the document. From this logic model, a course diagram was constructed. This course diagram sequenced a series of modules covered in each course. The logic model and course diagram were used to inform interview for part two of this study.
