Download Introduction to Environmental Studies

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.
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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