ENV399 Environmental Studies Senior Seminar Jeff Jeremiason

Fall 2006 Nobel 106C

T, R 2:30 – 4:20 x6235

ES Center

Web site: www.gustavus.edu/~jjeremia/ENV399/

Course Description

This capstone course emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of environmental studies. Students will examine a number of environmental issues within the context of a bioregion from biological, geological, geographic, economic, political, historical, as well as other perspectives. This year’s class will focus on Minnesota as a bioregion. In particular, we will focus on the Northern Lakes and Forests and Northern Cornbelt Plains Ecoregions of Minnesota.

The primary class goal is to integrate the wide variety of subjects covered in the ES major in the context of examining how society addresses and views environmental issues. Introducing environmental issues relevant to a particular bioregion will lead to broader discussions concerning how society currently addresses or should address global environmental issues. The interdisciplinary nature of the course will be implemented with a variety of readings, field trips, guest lectures, and class discussions. Each student is expected to contribute, particularly in their core area, to the overall learning environment of the class.

Readings and Resources

Possible readings: (the class will choose from this list or suggest others):

Water Follies, Robert Glennon

Red Sky at Dawn, James Gustave Speth; The Last Refuge, David Orr

The Future of Life, Edward O. Wilson; Blood and Oil, Michael Klare

The Hype About Hydrogen, Joseph Romm; The Hydrogen Economy, Jeremy Rifkin

Other readings:

Minnesota’s Natural Heritage, John R. Tester

Many other journal, magazine, and newspaper articles will be available on the course web site

Current Events/Burning Questions

Every Thursday two students will lead separate current events discussions. Leaders of current events discussions must do the following:

1. Bring a copy of your article to class on the preceding Tuesday (5 pts) – copies can be made or a link sent to the class at this time
2. Present a 1-minute oral summary of your article on Thursday (5 pts)
3. Prepare 1 or more discussion questions (5 pts)
4. Lead a 5-10 minute discussion (10 pts)

Each Tuesday, a portion of the class time will be spent addressing “burning questions”. Each student will prepare a presentation and lead the class in a 30-minute discussion of one burning question. Each discussion is worth 50 points. See the web site for a preliminary list of burning questions.

Quizzes and Final Exam

Quizzes, assignments, and short reaction papers based on the readings will be assigned during the semester. The final exam will be a take home exam encompassing material covered in class and topics presented by students. No late assignments will be accepted.

Grading

Watershed Assignment/Poster	150 pts	A	>94%
Final Paper/Project	150 pts	A-	90-94
Current Events/Burning Questions	100 pts	B+	87-90
Reaction papers/assignments/quizzes	~100 pts	B	83-87
Class Participation	100 pts	B-	80-83
Final Exam	100 pts	C+	77-80
		C	73-77
		C-	70-73

Watershed Project

During the first half of the semester, students will work in groups on a watershed project focusing on the 7-Mile Creek Watershed or a northern Minnesota lake watershed. Each group will research and accumulate data from their chosen watershed and write a report to a concerned citizen group. The assessments will include a summary of findings and recommendations for improving or maintaining water quality based on available data. See the course web site for further details and due dates.

Environmental Issue Research Paper

This course requires one interdisciplinary research paper to be written and presented in class on an environmental issue relevant to Minnesota. See the course web page for potential topics and further guidance on this assignment. The research paper will be a minimum of eight written pages in addition to figures, tables, pictures, and references. See the course web site for further details and due dates

Class Participation

This seminar class requires each student to take an active role. I expect every student to be at class and to participate in class discussions. Unexcused absences are not acceptable and will impact your class participation grade. Please let the instructor know if you are unable to be in class.

Class Topics/Issues

Minnesota Landscape Features, Water Quality – 7-Mile Creek Watershed and Northern Minnesota Lakes, Mercury in Minnesota, Global Warming: Potential impacts on Minnesota, Alternative Energy, Air Pollution, Great Lakes issues (contaminants, invasive species, water levels, fisheries)

Academic Honesty and Plagiarism

Please see the college web site concerning the Gustavus honor code.