Human Role in Environmental Change
Spring 2001 BP 3200, 3 Credits
| Instructors | Phone | Office Hours | |
| Kristan Cockerill | [email protected] | x6265 | T & W 12-1 |
| Rod Mondt | [email protected] | x5061 | T & W 3-4 |
| Angela Anderson | [email protected] | x5046 | T 6-7 |
Course Description
If we are to understand environmental issues and to develop sound environmental policy, we must assess the role that people have played and continue to play in creating environmental change. The human role in environmental change is a vast topic. Our goal in this course is not to cover every possible aspect, but to provide students with a basis for thinking about human systems and the tools necessary to assess our role. This course focuses on the complex interactions among history, culture, science, law, and economics inherent in designing and assessing environmental policy. In this course we discuss human thought, opinion, and behavior. Because these are highly personal and subjective concepts, there are few "right" answers. Grades will be based on how well students apply critical thinking skills, assimilate information, support their position and communicate their thoughts both in writing and in class participation.
Here are the important bits:
Texts:
Meffe, Gary K. and Ronald Carroll. 1997. Principles of Conservation Biology (2nd edition). Sunderland: Sinauer Associates, Inc. Articles in the Course Reader
Grading
| In-class participation | 10 |
| Quizzes | 5 |
| Field Notebook | 10 |
| Writing Assignments | 25 |
| In class projects | 15 |
| Mid Term | 15 |
| Final | 20 |
Total |
100 |
15-19 Jan: Introduction/Orientation
22-26 Jan: History and Perspectives
| M Jan 22 (11-12) | Environmental History (RM) |
| Read: | Environmental Education Exchange, History of Environmentalism in the US |
| White, The Historical Roots of Our Ecological Crisis | |
| Meffe/Carroll, Essay 11A Conservation Biology and Wildlife Management in America: A Historical Perspective | |
| LeGuin, The Direction of the Road | |
| Meffe/Carroll, Essay 11B, Retaining Indigenous Knowledge Systems as a Management Tool | |
| Meffe/Carroll, Essay 12A, The Importance of Value Systems in Management | |
| Meffe/Carroll, Essay 19G, A New Vision: Humans and the Value of Nature | |
| F Jan 26 | (9-9:30) Discussing Perspectives |
| (9:30-10:15) 100 People Exercise | |
| (10:15-11) Groups Discuss Material |
29-2 Feb: Policy Processes
| M Jan 29 (11-12) | Conducting Policy Research (Kristan) |
| Read: | Meffe/Carroll, Ch 16, Role of Institutions and Policymaking in Conservation |
| Meffe/Carroll Ch 17, Conservation Biologists in the Policy Process | |
| McClellan, What Johnny Really Needs to Know: A View from the Hill | |
| T/W Jan 30/31 | Discuss Ch 16 and lecture |
| F Feb 2 | Discuss Ch 17 and McLellan |
5-9 Feb: Science and Policy
| M Feb 5 (11-12) | American Nile (video) |
| Read: | Snow, The Two Cultures |
| Wilson, Consilience (excerpt) | |
| Larson, Summer for the Gods (excerpt) | |
| Bork, Cracking Rocks and Defending Democracy (excerpt) | |
| T/W Feb 6/7 | Discuss readings |
| F Feb 9 | 9:00 Essay #1 due |
| 9-10 Ken Bork - Kirtley Mather: Scientist, Teacher, and Social Activist | |
| 10-11 discussion |
12-16 Feb: Economics , Law and Policy
| M Feb 12 | Field trip to Buenos Aires |
| Read: | Meffe/Carroll, Ch 15, Ecology, Politics and Economics |
| Meffe/Carroll, Essay 19F, "Commons" Problems in Conservation Biology | |
| Breen, Environmental Law from Resources to Recovery | |
| Current environmental bills before Congress | |
| T/W Feb 13/14 | Discuss readings |
| F Feb 16 | 9-945 Discuss readings and group project |
| 945-11 In-class project #1 |
19-23 Feb: Economics , Law and Policy (cont.)
| M Feb 19 | 11:00 |
| Discuss readings | |
| T Feb 20 | Wrap up info for projects. Voluntary – we recommend that at least 2 or 3 people from each group attend |
| F Feb 23 | CEDO prep and ecotourism (Rod) |
| Read: | Meffe/Carroll Case Study 3, The Role of Ecotourism in Sustainable Development |
26-2 Mar: CEDO
5-9 Mar: Transnational Week
| M Mar 5 | Border issues (Kristan) |
| F Mar 9 | MIDTERM (20 pts) |
12-16 Mar: Spring Break