BISC 677 - The Lower Mississippi River: Cultural and Ecological Perspectives TTh 1-2:15, Fall 2013

Dr. Clifford A. Ochs

office: 332 Shoemaker; office hrs: Tu, Th 3:00-5:00

phone: 915-7562; email:

Dr. Robbie Ethridge

office: 103 Leavell Hall

phone: 915-7317; email:

COURSE DESCRIPTION

BISC 677 will examine the history and linkages of cultural and environmental changes within the Lower Mississippi River Basin from pre-European settlement to the present time.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

· Learn the literature devoted to large river ecology

· Learn methods used to study large river ecology

· Understand conceptual models for large river trophic organization

· Be able to develop original questions about large river trophic ecology

· Understand the linkages between ecological and social systems

· Learn the social history of the Lower Mississippi River valley

Texts:

1) The Big Muddy: An environmental history of the Mississippi and its peoples from Hernando de Soto to Hurricane Katrina. Christopher Morris, Oxford U. Press.

2) Selections from other readings will be provided via Blackboard.

SCHEDULE OF TOPICS

Week/Date Topic

1: Introduction to River Science and the LMR ecosystem (CO)

2: The ancient LMR floodplain ecosystem (CO)

Big river ecology (CO)

Field Trip – LMR canoe trip

3: Pre-Columbian Native cultures (JJ)

Field Trip – Mound tour

4: Post-Columbian Native cultures (RE)

5: European exploration and contact (RE)

6 Land conversion – The Cotton Kingdom

Field Trip – Delta Levee Board, Mud Island

7 Land conversion – Logging the Delta

8 The river in song and story

9 The Flood Project – taming a river

Field Trip – Vicksburg, WES, Delta Nat Forest

10 Symptoms of a “pathological landscape”

Field Trip – Old River control structure, Poverty Point, Atchafalaya

11 The modern Delta and YMD floodplain

12 The Dead Zone

13 Atchafalaya and coastal wetlands

14 The future of the river?

Final Class presentations

CLASS REQUIREMENTS

Students are expected to read assignments from the text, other assigned readings, participate in class discussion, and prepare a 10 page (minimum) research paper and oral presentation on any subject related to the class. Field trips are strongly encouraged but not always required.

Grading

Participation in class and (most) field trips 25% of grade

Weekly writing assignments 25%

Research paper - Final 50%

Grading will be based on the A,B,C,D,F system.

Other Notes and Policies

1. Special Needs. Students with special needs (e.g. physical handicaps or learning disabilities) who need to make special arrangements should consult the instructor within the first two weeks of the semester.

2. Challenges to Assigned Grades. Challenges to assigned grades will be welcomed in writing. A written format provides you the opportunity to present an articulate and well-considered argument. Challenges must be submitted within one week of a graded assignment.

3. Academic Integrity. Any form of misconduct – cheating, plagiarism, fabrication – will not be tolerated and will subject violators to a failing grade in the course. I do encourage students to collaborate in studying and to review each other’s written assignments, but all work turned in for a grade must be completed only by the student submitting the work.

4. Incompletes. Incompletes will not be given except in extreme circumstances beyond a student’s control.

5. Withdrawals. The last date for withdrawal is October 7, 2013 (no refunds after Sept 9)

This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructors to accommodate instructional and/or student needs.