Susan Mooney

Susan Mooney

Professor of Environmental Science & Studies

smooney@stonehill.edu
508-565-1171
Shields 104
Env. Sciences & Studies

Biography

Raised in a working class family, labor is defined by perspiration and loss of autonomy. Sometimes, it is still hard for me to believe that I'm free to think about whatever I find most compelling - and guide young people to think about the same thing.

For more than ten years now, I've committed myself to a pressing set of issues - our global, and local, environmental crisis. I focus my teaching on bringing students from ignorance to knowledge to action, personal and political. I work with colleagues across the campus, especially on our Environmental Stewardship Council, to help the college decrease its ecological footprint - and its carbon footprint.

I see all of this work as part of the mission of the college, encouraging our students to "think, act and lead with courage to create a more just and compassionate world." I attempt to empower my students - and they in turn push me to greater action. And that even leads me back to perspiration - cycling to campus now!

Mooney's current research is in the scholarship of teaching and learning. Such work grows out of her own teaching experiences as well as her work as Dean of General Education.

For example, observations of various Learning Communities has led her, along with colleague Karen Talentino, to attempt to quantify the impact of these curricular experiences on the development of psychological attributes which contribute to future success.

After a pilot study has indicated significant improvement in certain parameters, they expanded research to include all LCs offered in the fall of 2007.

Data analysis continues during the summer of 2008, with publication of any significant results expected in 2009. Other scholarly interests include improving travel pedagogies, implementing best practices in science education, and effective community-based learning.

Education

  • B.S., Biology, Stonehill College, 1982
  • M.A.,Biological Sciences, SUNY Buffalo, 1984
  • Ph.D., Philosophy of Science, Boston University, 1991

Research Interests

  • Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)
  • Integrative learning
  • Transformative learning
  • Pedagogies of Engagement

Courses Taught

  • Environmental Ethics
  • Principles of Environmental Science

Selected Publications, Articles & Presentations