Group Project ProposalIndividual SectionsGroup paperPresentationA Warning Concerning PlagiarismIf in doubt, cite!The Environment and SocietyES / ST 118 Colby College Spring Semester 2002Faculty Nancy Quirk Miller 254 x3445 ncquirkColin Sage Miller 235 x3904 clsageTom Tietenberg Miller 234 x3143 thtietenMeetings Lectures M &W 10:00 - 10:50 A.M. Olin 1Group Mtg Th 7:00 P.M. Olin 1Discussions F 10:00 - 10:50 A.M. A- TIETENBERG, MILLER 319B- QUIRK, OLIN 335C- SAGE, AREY 110Objectives This course has three primary objectives. The first is to introduce some of the major environmental problems that will have a significant effect on the quality of life over the next century and to examine the degree to which our political and economic institutions are capable of diminishing or coping with the difficulties posed by these trends. To do so we will cover a selected set of illustrative issues, focusing on background forces, natural resource management, and pollution, rather than try to introduce the entire range of environmental problems. The second is to introduce disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to the study of these environmental problems, with a particular focus on how research is used to understand and attempt to address them. The third is for participants to learn how to do “hands on” group research project that are well-designed to answer specific questions about an environmental issue or set of environmental issues.Required TextsMcKinney and Schoch, Environmental Science: Systems and Solutions (Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 1998). (Hereafter referred to as M&S)McKinny and Shariff (eds.), Outlooks: Readings for Environmental Literacy, (Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 1997). (Hereafter referred to as Outlooks)Schoch (ed.) Case Studies in Environmental Science (West Publishing Company, 1996) (Hereafter referred to as Case Studies)ES 118 Faculty (eds.), The ES 118 Course Reader. Available from the bookstore. (Hereafter referred to as CR)Required Reading We assume that the assigned readings will be completed before that week's discussion section. Web resources, discussed below, also form part of the required reading. Come to class Friday ready to discuss the readings. Bring notes from the readings with you, if you like. 22Web Resources Each week some current readings may be assigned relevant to that week's issues, available on the web. These will be listed on the course web page. You are responsible for finding and reading, the web resources each week.Group Research Projects All students will work in groups to design research projects with individual components that collectively address a question in environmental studies. Course meetings on Thursday night class meetings will cover issues related to project design and research. Students are expected to design and conduct a project to answer the question that motivates their research and sheds new light on environmental problems.Grading Grades will be determined using the following scheme: (1) Two Mid-Semester Exams - 15% each, (2) Class Participation (attendance and contributions) - 15%, (3) Group project - 40% (including topic statement and proposal 5%, individual section 15%, final project report15%, and oral presentation 5%), and (4) Final exam - 15%. The requirements for each writing assignment are described in this syllabus in the section “Group Project Guidelines.” You are responsible for making sure you meet all deadlines.COURSE SCHEDULEINTRODUCTION1. Introduction Feb 4-8February 4 (M) Introduction and Overview February 6 (W): Perspectives I February 7 (Th): Mechanisms for Selecting Topic Areas February 8 (F): Discussion Section Required Readings: CR: J. McPhee, “Encounters with the Archdruid”Web: A review of “The Skeptical Environmentalist” http://pacinst.org/Lomborg_review.htmlM&S: Ch 1, “Introduction to Environmental Science”2. Historical Feb. 11-15February 11 (M): Perspectives II February 13 (W): Sustainable Development 33February 14 (Th): Group Topic Selection (if possible)February 15 (F): Discussion Section Required Readings: M&S: Chapter 22, “Historical, Social, and Legal Aspects of the Current Environmental Crisis”Web: http://www.iclei.org/egpis/"Local Sustainability," the European Good Practice Information Service, provides a large number of case studies from across Europe.Outlooks: 4 “We Can Build a Sustainable Economy”Case Studies: 6 “Will a Technological Fix Work, Or Do We Need Fundamental Social Change?”CR: World Commission on Environment and Development, Our Common Future, Chapter 2 “Towards Sustainable Development”Deadline: Preliminary Topic Proposal for Group Papers Due in lecture, Monday, February 11. BACKGROUND FORCES3. Population, Consumption, Poverty and Affluence Feb. 18-22February 18 (M): Approaches to Population February 20 (W): Poverty, Hunger and the Environment February 21 (Th): Models of Acceptable Research February 22 (F): Discussion Section Required Readings: M&S: Chapter 5, “Demography”; Web; http://www.seattle.battelle.org/services/e&s/pop-env/ch03.htmOn environmental space and sustainable consumption (topic 1)http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/sustainable_development/publications/tworld/summary.htmlhttp://www.iisd.ca/linkages/consume/fjeld.htmlOutlooks: 9 “Ten Myths of Population”; “; 41 “Microenterprise”Case Studies: 8 “Differing Approaches to the Population Problem”, 9 “Famine and Overpopulation in Ethopia”CR: Garrett Hardin, “Living on a Lifeboat”44NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT4. Natural Resource Management Feb. 25 - Mar. 1February 25 (M): Natural Resource Management I February 27 (W): Natural Resource Management II February 28 (Th): Research and Sources (plus Mike McGuire)February 29 (F): Discussion SectionRequired Readings: M&S: Chapter 6, “Principles of Resource Management”CR: Garrett Hardin: “Tragedy of the Commons”Case Studies: 2 “The Mystery of Easter Island”Deadline: Group Project Proposal - Due in lecture, Wednesday, February 275. Biodiversity Mar. 4 -8March 4 (M): Biodiversity I March 6 (W): Biodiversity II March 7 (Th): FIRST EXAMINATION March 8 (F) VIDEO shown in Olin 1 (No Discussion Section)Required Readings: M&S: Chapter 12, "Conserving Biological Resources"Outlooks: 18 "Will Expectedly the Top Blow Off?"; 19 "The World's Forests"; 20 "The Mystery of the Stellar Sea Lion"6. Food and Agriculture Mar. 11 - Mar 15March 11 (M): Food and Agriculture I March 13