Conservation of Natural Resources (416-350)

Conservation of Natural Resources (416-350)

SpringSemester, 2017

Classroom: Bolton B46

Lecture:Mon/Wen 11:00 to 12:15

Instructor: Glen Fredlund

Office: Bolton Hall 486

Office HoursMon/Tue/Wen12:30 to 2:00, BOL 486by appointment

Phone: 229-6112 (Geog. Direct) or 229-4866 (Geog. Dept)

Email: *I greatly prefer email.

ALWAYS Use “Geog 350”in subject line.

Introduction

Geography 350 is an approved Social Science (SS)Distributional GER course. The course is structured to meet the general SS definition: A branch of science dealing with the study of human behavior, human cultural and physical variation and evolution, and the organization, development, and consequences of human activity, both past and present. Geography 350 alsoincorporates aspects of all of the SS GER learning outcomes.

These include that students will be able to:

1. Recognize and analyze intrapersonal, interpersonal, and/or socio-cultural factors associated with individual behavior, collective action, or societal development; (We will explore the range of values, ethics, and public policy which frame our use of Natural Resources)
2. Identify and critically evaluate the function, structure and development of human collectivities, organizations, institutions, and cultures, their infrastructures and interrelationships; (We will look at the shifting roles of governmental and non-governmental organizations as the affect natural resource use and environmental decision making)
3. Critically evaluate and apply alternative theoretical frameworks that have been used to offer meaningful explanations of social phenomena. (Throughout this class students are asked to evaluate conflicts arising from our use of natural resources and explain the assumptions and value systems that underlie the arguments of the various stake-holders).

This course will focus on the “American Experience” of natural resource use but will include some issues which arise from the globalization of the use of the environment. Some of the specific topics and ideas you will be asked to consider include: a) the human-nature relationship,b) the positive and negative consequences of natural resource use, c) the conflicts which arise from our use and enjoyment of natural, d) the history of the of natural resource use and laws and policies which frame our use of nature, and e) some strategies for changing environmental law and policy towards a more sustainable system. Lecture topics range from environmental ethics, environmental economics, environmental science, natural resource management, and environmental policy.

Text/Readings:

There will be requiredweekly-required readings available via the web or on d2L in PDF format.

Examinations and Grading:

There are a total of 400 possible points in the class. Evaluation of students understanding of content includes two 50-point mid-term exams and a 90-point comprehensive final exam. Students are also required to complete a range of other activities. These include 1) unannounced in-class assessment, 2) on-line multiple-choice quizzes, 3) reading and participation in online discussions, and 4) short essays, papers, or projects.Final proportion of points may deviate slightly from this model.

Activity / Points (~%)
In-Class Assessments / 40 pts. (10%)
On-line Quiz / 50 pts. (13%)
Online Discussion / 60 pts. (15%)
Essays/Papers/Projects / 60 pts. (14%)
Exam I / 50 pts. (13%)
Exam II / 50 pts. (13%)
Exam III (Final) / 90 pts. (22%)
Total Points / 400 pts. (100%)

Examinations will draw questions primary from lecture,readings, and discussions. Exams will emphasized the topics covered in lecture but may include questions from readings or other assigned sources. Exams will primarily be a mix of definitions (or definition-plus examples), short-answer, and essay questions but may include matching or other objective formats. Old exams will be available on d2L.

Final Exam: The final exam schedule is set by the Secretary of the University. Instructors are required to adhere to this timetable unless they receive explicit permission from the Secretary’s office. All students must take the final exam at scheduled time.

Make-up Exams: Except under dire circumstances, substantiated by authentic written documentation, no makeup exams will be given. If you must miss an exam contract the instructor as early as possible, preferably before the exam. Late makeup examinations will vary in content from the regular class exam. There are no “make-ups” for missed assessments or d2L quizzes unless you can document an extended personnel emergency or illness.

Grading: Your final grade for the class will be based on your performance within the total class curve. The sum of your total points, not the average of letter grades, will be used to rank your performance within the class. The grading curve may fluctuate with class performance. Maximum breaks-point for percentage of total points needed for letter grades are: A=90%, B=80%, C=70%, and D=58%. The grading curve may be lowered, but not raised above these guarantied percentages.

Course Materials and Assignments:

Desire-to-Learn (d2L): All course materials, lecture outlines, discussion, and grades will be posted through the class d2L web site. It is critical that you become comfortable with using this software.Lecture power-points will be updated throughout the semester.

Online Discussion: Each week of the semester, excluding examination weeks, there will be new on-line discussion topics relative to course content. I will typically introduce the topic through outside reading/web source. To receive full credit for a week’s discussion you will need to submit a substantial (200+ words), critical additions to discussion topics which demonstrate you are reading, thinking, and critically responding to the contributions of others. DO NOT append your contributions as files unless absolute necessary. DO include links to relevant resources you used to form your point of view.See guidelines document on d2L for more on discussion evaluation.

Assignments (Essays and Projects): You will be asked to read and critically review at least 2 outside readings. Your response will take the form of a short, 2 or 3 page (~800 to 900 word) essay. Your essay will be graded on 1) evidence of critical thinking and analysis, and 2) ability to communication you arguments (including grammar, structure of paragraphs and paper).Submit all work to appropriate d2L Drop Box in MS-Word (doc or docx), rich text format (rtf), or Portable Document Format(pdf).

Other Course Policies and Guidelines:

Grievance Policy and Procedure:If, for any reason, you believe that you are being treated unfairly within this course your first step is to see me, the instructor. Information regarding the policies and procedures applicable to this course are available onrequest at the Geography Department main office, Bolton 410.

Plagiarism and Other Academic Integrity and Academic Misconduct: Each student has an obligation to act with honesty and integrity, and to respect the rights of others in carrying out all academic assignments. Academic Misconduct may result in the immediate failure of the course in which the misconduct occurs. Academic misconduct will be reported to the Investigating Officer of the College of Letters and Science and additional sanctions may be recommended.

Other policies can be found at:

Note: This schedule of lecture topics, due-dates and exam dates is tentative and subject to change as the semester progresses. Changes will be posted on d2L.

# / Week / Mo / Day / Tentative Lecture Topic / Due Dates
1 / 1 / Sept / 05 / Intro Lecture
2 / 07 / Values
3 / 2 / 12 / Ethics
4 / 14 / Economics
5 / 3 / 19 / Population
6 / 21 / Science and Society
7 / 4 / 26 / History of U.S. Conservation
8 / 28 / History of U.S. Conservation
9 / 5 / Oct / 04 / History of U.S. Conservation / Assignment #1
10 / 05 / History of U.S. Conservation
11 / 6 / 10 / Mid-Term I
12 / 12 / Nature’s Goods: Minerals
13 / 7 / 17 / Nature’s Goods: Fossil Fuel
14 / 19 / Biological Resources: Forest
15 / 8 / 24 / Biological Resources: Wildlife
16 / 26 / Biological Resources: Biodiversity
17 / 9 / 31 / Water Allocation
18 / Nov / 02 / Water Quality / Assignment #2
19 / 10 / 07 / Water Quality
20 / 09 / Mid-Term II
21 / 11 / 14 / Agriculture and Food Systems
22 / 16 / Agriculture and Food Systems
23 / 12 / 21 / Agriculture and Food Systems
23 / T-Day Break
24 / 13 / 28 / Agriculture and Food Systems
25 / 30 / Air Quality
26 / 14 / Dec / 05 / Climate Change
27 / 07 / Energy Futures
28 / 15 / 12 / Energy Futures
29 / 14 / Class Summary Lecture / Assignment #3
-- / 16 / Final Exam Tuesday Dec 16th 12:30 to 2:30

Time Expectations for Class Learning Activates

Activity / Time per Week / Total over Semester
Lecture Review and Study / 2 hrs / 30 hrs
Topical Reading / 1 hr / 15 hrs
On-line Discussion / 1 hr / 15 hrs
On-line Quiz / 0.5 hrs / 7.5 hrs
Assignments / 1 hr / 15 hrs
Attend Lecture / 2.5 hrs / 38.5hrs
TOTAL / 8 hrs / 121 hrs

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