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  Course Description
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  Class Schedule
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  Readings
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  Projects
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  Library Resources
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  EES Department
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  Politics Department

Course Description

This course is the first semester in a two-semester senior year experience for Environmental Science majors, but it is also open to students from other disciplines with the appropriate academic background. This fall we will consider the ecological, economic, and political and behavioral factors affecting the definition and pursuit of "sustainability". Because of its cross-disciplinary content, this course will require each of us to pay attention to types of information and knowledge with which we might be uncomfortable: scientists will have to consider the relevance of the methods of behavioral scientists, philosophers, and policy analysts; social scientists will be required to contemplate the ways of biologists, physicists, forest ecologists, and climatologists. Thus, keeping an open, engaged, and diligent mind is necessary for success in, and enjoyment of this course!

Using text and guest lectures we will explore basic questions related to sustainability, includ ing: how do we define and measure sustainability, how do we incorporate models of sustainability into our political system, and how might human behavior impact attempts at creating sustainble systems? We will begin with local case studies of sustainability including private forestlands, a local food processor, and the ongoing work at Willamette University to incorporate sustainability into its everyday work and long range vision. Students will develop an applied project and research paper on sustainability, examining how theory and practice, science and social science merge. Projects will be chosen in consultation with Professors Arabas and Bowersox with an eye toward potential use in various community initiatives.

Texts Required

All of the readings from the class are available in the electronic reserves section at the library or on-line. Please see the reserve readings webpage and schedule for more information.

In addition to the reserve readings we ask that you purchase a bound composition book from the bookstore for your journal.

Course Requirements

Exams (200 points)
There will be two mid-term exams worth 100 points each.

Project (200 points)
Students will apply course content to a local sustainability project. Required paper and public presentation.

Journals (100)
During the semester you will have many opportunities to reflect on readings, guest lectures, and class discussion through informal writing in a journal. Journals will be collected several times for comments and feedback

Class Participation (50)
Students are expected to come to class prepared to discuss assigned materials. In addition, students will be asked to help lead discussion at various points during the semester.

TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS = 550

Computers and cell phones in the classroom
Laptop compute rs are a marvelous learning tool, and the expansion of WiFi on our campus has enhanced many learning opportunities. But such technological advances can have negative consequences in the classroom. Please feel free to use your laptop for note taking in class. Occasionally, we may want to look things up on line as well. However, please refrain from checking email, iChatting, websurfing, etc. during class. If you are observed doing so during class time, you will asked tostop bringing your laptop to class. Cell phones should be turned off prior to class.

Grading Policy

Make-up of exams is NOT permitted without a valid excuse. Any conflicts with exams must be resolved within the first week of the semester. Late assignments will be assessed a penalty.

Any student eligible for and desiring academic accommodation due to a disability should provide documentation to Disability and Learning Services located in the Bishop Wellness Center within the first two weeks of the semester.