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Introduction to Environmental Studies Dr. Gavin Van Horn 108 KEW office hours: Thurs, 10-12 512-868-1959 (office) [email protected] Course Information ENV 49-103-01 MW, 3:30-4:45 Olin 323 Course Description Given the number of environmental difficulties that currently face peoples of the twenty-first century, basic environmental literacy is critical for understanding the world in which we live. Also important is realizing that “sound science” and good intentions do not always translate into beneficial environmental practices. This course introduces students to current understandings of the science of ecology, examines essential environmental issues and the science supporting these concerns, and challenges students to think critically about the values that inform policy decisions, environmental advocacy, and social responsibility. Course Objectives For students to understand the interactions of organisms, including humans, with their environments. For students to understand the basic terminology and concepts critical to discussing environmental issues. For students to understand major local, national, and global environmental issues, as well as the historical trends contributing to these issues. For students to be able to analyze the role of science in public policy, and the cultural and ethical values that are involved in environmental thinking and action. Required Texts [ES] Richard T. Wright, Environmental Science: Toward a Sustainable Future, 10th edn (New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 2008). [BBH] Mitchell Thomashow, Bringing the Biosphere Home: Learning to Perceive Global Environmental Change (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2002). [OD] Michael Pollan, The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals (New York: Penguin, 2007). [SR] Supplementary Readings (available on Segue) Course Requirements A primary goal in this course is to take seriously what goes on outside of the classroom as well as what goes on inside of the classroom. The assignments are structured so that students have the opportunity to analyze and reflect upon environmental issues in relation to their daily lives, while learning to “read” landscapes and social behaviors with ecological questions in mind. Field Journals 50% Observing the natural world – noticing patterns, recognizing relationships, asking questions – is the heart of scientific study, and the field journal is a naturalist’s essential companion. Students will keep an active field journal during this course that documents their observations of a particular place. During the semester, six perceptual exercises will be provided that prompt students to reflect upon ecological relationships, and then analyze them in relation to the course readings. Polished (typed and edited) field journals will be handed in at the mid-term and on the final day of class. In-class Reflection Assignments (30%) In-class reflection assignments are a means for students to more deeply engage key concepts and issues. For each assignment, students will be provided with a specific prompt that includes objectives and requirements. Assignment dates are listed in the syllabus below. Please note: these activities are dependent on participation and therefore absences or missed assignments have a substantial impact on grades (see “late assignments and participation” below). 1) Ecological Footprint Calculator 2) Energy Movie Review 3) Figuring Human Population Omnivore’s Dilemma Review (20%) As part of our discussion of food production and ethical food choices, we will be reading Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma. Students will write a four to five page review essay that addresses the issues raised by the book. A prompt will be provided two weeks before the review essay is due. Additional Course Considerations Late Assignments and Participation: Your participation is desired and necessary. Students are responsible for informing me, prior to the scheduled course time, if they will not be in class. If a student is absent for any class, it is his or her responsibility to contact me immediately for any handouts or assignments they have missed. Late assignments will result in a ½ letter grade deduction for each day following the due date. Electronic Devices: In the spirit of courtesy and to prevent distractions, all electronic devices must be turned off prior to class. This includes wireless internet devices. First-time violations will result in the student being asked to leave the class. In the case of repeated violations, the student’s overall grade will be lowered. Plagiarism: Students should be aware of all aspects of the Honor System as presented in the Student Handbook. I encourage you to read the section on plagiarism carefully. Plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated. If you have technical questions about this important topic, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/563/01/ for additional help, or ask the professor directly. Disabilities: Southwestern University will make reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. To arrange accommodations students should contact the Access and Academic Resource Coordinator within the Center for Academic Success (Cullen Building, 3rd floor; phone 8631286; email [email protected]). Students seeking accommodations should notify the Access and Academic Resource Coordinator at least two weeks before services are needed. It is the student’s responsibility to discuss any necessary accommodations with the appropriate faculty member. Introduction to Environmental Studies, page 2 Module 1: Grounds for Environmental Studies M 8/24 Overview of the course; bioregional questions W 8/26 Ecological Literacy SR: David Orr “Ecological Literacy” (pp. 85-95) BBH: Ch 1, “The Perceptual Challenge of Global *Field Journal #1 Handout Environmental Change” (pp.1-18) M 8/31 The Big Picture ES: Ch 1, Toward a Sustainable Future (pp. 2-23) BBH: Ch 2, “The Experience of Globality” (pp.19-41) W 9/2 Ecosystems: Concepts ES: Ch 2, Ecosystems: What They Are (pp. 2451) RA #1 (handout in-class): Ecological Footprint Calculator M 9/7 Labor Day – No Class W 9/9 Ecosystems: Functions ES: Ch 3, Ecosystems: How They Work (pp. 5279) RA #1 due: Ecological Footprint Calculator M 9/14 Starting in Place BBH: Ch 4, “A Place-Based Perceptual Ecology” (pp. 73-103) Field Journal #2 Handout SR: Muir, “Windstorm in the Forest” W 9/16 Ecosystems: Dynamics ES: Ch 4, Ecosystems: How They Change (pp. 80-113) M 9/21 Animal Matters ES: Ch. 10, Wild Species and Biodiversity (pp. 244-271) SR: Aldo Leopold, “Thinking Like a Mountain” (pp. 129-133) W 9/23 The Value of Biological Systems ES: Ch 11, Ecosystem Capital: Use and Restoration (pp. 272-300) Field Journal #3 Handout Module 2: Systems and Flows: Water, Soil, Food M 9/28 Water ES: Ch 7, Water: Hydrologic Cycle and Human Use (pp. 167-192) W 9/30 Water ES: Ch 17, Water Pollutions and Its Prevention (pp. 437-462) Field Journal #4 Handout BBH: Ch 5, “Interpreting the Biosphere” (pp.105136) M 10/5 Soil ES: Ch 8, Soil: Foundation for Land Ecosystems (pp. 194-216) **Mid-term: Edited Field Journals (nos. 1-3)** Food Interlude W 10/7 Food Production and ES: Ch 9, The Production and Distribution of Consumption Food (pp. 219-243) *begin reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma M *continue reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma Fall Break – No Class 10/12 W Food Production and OD: Part I, Industrial Corn (pp. 1-119) 10/14 Consumption (cont.) *discussion of Part I OD review essay prompt handout Introduction to Environmental Studies, page 3 M 10/19 Thinking about Local Foods OD: Part II, Pastoral Grass (pp. 123-273) *discussion of Part II W 10/21 M 10/26 W 10/28 The Organic Question SR: Ikerd, “Eating Local: A Matter of Integrity” *discussion of Part II (cont.) OD: Chapters 16-17, 20 (pp. 287-333, 391-411) *discussion of Part III M 11/2 W 11/4 M 11/9 W 11/11 M 11/16 W 11/18 M 11/23 W 11/25 M 11/30 W 12/2 The Omnivore’s Dilemma **Omnivore’s Dilemma review essay due** Module 3: Human Impacts and Common Goods Energy: Nonrenewables ES: Ch 12, Energy from Fossil Fuels (pp.304328) RA #2: Energy Movie Review film: A Crude Awakening handout Energy: Renewables ES: Ch 14, Renewable Energy (pp. 355-380) Field Journal #5 Handout Human Population: The ES: Ch 5, The Human Population (pp. 114-140) Demographics RA #2 due: Energy Movie Review Human Population: The Problems ES: Ch 6, Population and Development (pp. 143164) RA #3: Figuring Human Population (handout in-class) Climate Change: The Science ES: Ch 20, The Atmosphere: Climate, Climate Change, and Ozone Depletion (pp. 508-541) RA #3 due: Figuring Human Population Climate Change: The Issues SR: Slovic, “Science, Eloquence, and the Asymmetry of Trust: What’s at Stake in the Field Journal #6 Handout Climate Change Fiction” (pp. 100-109); The Copenhagen Climate Conference (http://en.cop15.dk/news): browse the "news" items and select and read one; be prepared to discuss the contents in Wednesday's class Envisioning Sustainable ES: Ch 23, Sustainable Communities and Communities Lifestyles (pp. 600-623) Thanksgiving – NO CLASS Envisioning Sustainability in a Rapidly Changing World **Final: Edited Field Journals (nos. 4-6) + Final Reflection Paper** BBH: Ch 7, “Place-Based Transience” (pp.163190) SR: Solnit, “The Most Radical Thing You Can Do” sharing field experiences Introduction to Environmental Studies, page 4