Deflating Myths about Gray Wolves (Canis lupus) in the Midwest, USA: A Unifying Curriculum Project

• Main Author: O'Gara, Jordyn R
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: wolf; adult education; social change; Master of Environmental Education; Center for Environmental Education; College of Education and Human Service Professions; University of Minnesota Duluth; UMD; Plan Bs (project-based master's degrees); Canis lupus
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/11299/228066

A Curriculum Project Proposal submitted to the faculty of the University of Minnesota-Duluth by Jordyn R. O'Gara, June 2, 2022. Within the Midwestern region of the US there are four primary problematic myths about the wolf: (1) wolves are dangerous to people, (2) wolves will devastate the local deer herd, (3) wolves are a major threat to the livestock industry, and (4) dogs are not safe in areas occupied by wolves (Timber Wolf Alliance, n.d,). The curriculum for this master’s project is designed to deflate these myths using sound science and environmental theories and models. It is formatted based on guidelines recommended within the Understanding by Design Framework (UbD) (McTighe & Wiggins, 2012; Sgro & Freeman, 2008). The curriculum is divided into four modules, with two lessons in each module, based on the four myths - overall, there is about eight hours of education material available. Each lesson lays out goals for participants, background material for the educator, an example lesson plan, and a section about social behavioral change. This last section utilizes theories and models such as the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen 2000) and the environmental identity development model (Green, 2018). For the purpose of this project the curriculum was reviewed by a panel of experts but not fully evaluated.