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Environmental Studies 202: Environmental Studies: A Social Science Approach

Syllabus and Schedule - Spring Quarter 2007
Dr. Grace Wang

Welcome to ESTU 202!  I really enjoy teaching this class, and it serves as a nice introduction to many of the environmental issues facing society today.  The course objectives are as follows:

• Explore environmental issues within social, political, economic, cultural, and scientific contexts. 
• Investigate the role of consumer choices in shaping environmental problems and potential solutions.
• Investigate the concept of sustainability in an individual and global context. 
• Introduce regional, national, and international issues, with emphasis on specific cases that reveal the complexity of environmental problems.

Required Books

• Garbage Land.  Elizabeth Royte.  Little, Brown.  2005
• Affluenza.  DeGraff, Wann, and Naylor.  2006. 
• Cascadia Scorecard.  Sightline Institute.  2006
• Additional online or supplemental readings provided on Blackboard. 

Expectations

The most important thing you need to know about this course is that it will be an exchange of ideas in a relaxed atmosphere.  Even though this is a large class, I always use a variety of techniques that emphasize active learning and participation.  Active participation involves speaking out, sharing ideas, asking questions, summarizing, and listening to other viewpoints in a professional manner.  There are instances where the class will break out into small groups.  You are expected to attend each class session, and have the readings and assignments done prior to coming to class.  If you are unable to attend, you are still responsible for the material covered and assignments due that day. 
                                                                                                        

Participation

Participation is important for the following reasons.  First, it helps you synthesize and engage more actively with the course material.  Second, public speaking skills are becoming more important in all careers, and participation gives you a chance to develop communications and speaking skills.  Third, the students in this class have diverse backgrounds and experiences; sharing individual perspectives and insights will help us all learn more and appreciate different angles.

Grading

The graded material for this class will consist of two short reaction papers, two quizzes, and a final exam.  Your ideas cannot be wrong; I'm interested in what you think about the ideas.  I will not deduct points for ideas I may not agree with, but I will deduct points for sloppiness, misspelling, and gender-biased language.  Poor grammar and spelling, as well as gender-biased language are not tolerated because they have no place in professional settings.  If you are not sure about anything, simply ask.  Specific instructions and guidelines will be posted on Blackboard before each writing assignment.  Five additional points will be available for extra credit through volunteer activities with LEAD or another environmental group (details forthcoming in class and Blackboard).

Cheating and Plagiarism

Cheating will not be tolerated.  If you are caught cheating – and this includes (but is not exclusive to) copying answers, taking someone else's quiz, or passing notes during exams, working on someone else's papers, you will receive a failing grade for the assignment.  No exceptions, as these are serious charges.  Familiarize yourself with what the term means at: http://www.library.wwu.edu/ref/plagiarism.html

Grading/Assignments

Assignment Policy

• There is no such thing as a late paper!  All assignments are due at the beginning of class period.  With appropriate documentation, I'm sympathetic to illnesses, family emergencies, and other conflicts.  If in doubt, just ask.  I repeat: do not e-mail me assignments.   
• Disputes about grading must be addressed within one week of the assignment or test.  Your dispute must be written and given to me in person, upon which we will discuss your situation. 
• Please see me if you have disability or accommodation issues, and we'll work on them together.

Class will begin and end on time based on the clock in the Fraser 3.  I often make announcements at the beginning of class, so be prompt.  And please, no shuffling of papers five minutes prior to the end of class. 

Course Schedule

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