ENV1101B Global Environmental Challenges Course Syllabus: Winter ...
ENV1101B Global Environmental Challenges Course Syllabus: Winter 2014 __________________________________________________________________________ Instructor:
Professor Eric Crighton Office Hours: Simard Hall Room 06 tel: x1065 email: [email protected]
Tue 12:30 to 2:30 OR by appointment
Teaching Assistants: see Blackboard course page for names and contact info
Lecture Times: Tuesdays, 10:00 to 11:30; Thursdays, 8:30 to 10:00
Location: Lamoureux Hall (LMX) Room 122
Course Summary:
The principal objective of this course is to introduce students to a range of environmental concepts and issues as they pertain to global (and local) environmental challenges, and to begin to unravel some of the complex relationships between the environment and human activity. Major topics that will be covered include environmental sustainability, ecology, human population growth, renewable and non‐renewable resources, food production and security, environmental health and livable cities. These and other topics will be examined using current Canadian and international case studies. While the physical science behind these environmental issues will be explored, the course will adopt a primarily social science perspective.
The course will follow a lecture style format, however, questions and discussions will always be encouraged.
Required Course Readings:
Withgott J, Brennan S, Murck B. (2013). Environment: The Science Behind the Stories: 2nd Canadian Edition. Toronto: Pearson Canada. ISBN: 978‐0‐321‐73936‐0 This textbook (new and used) is available at Benjamin Books, 122 Osgoode Street (Tel: 232‐7495) just a few steps from campus. It is also available through on‐line booksellers. I have not requested the uOttawa bookstore to stock it. Note: the First edition may be available used elsewhere. The book is pretty much the same. Use the first edition if you can find it.
Students are also recommended to purchase the following guide to research and writing, which can be ordered new or used through on‐line booksellers or Benjamin Books:
Northey M, Knight DB, Draper D. (2012) Making Sense in Geography & Environmental Science: A student’s guide to research and writing. New York: Oxford University Press. Lecture Slides: Lectures require the involvement of students, and you are expected to have read the assigned chapter(s) before class. I will not simply repeat material from the readings in my lectures. You will be responsible for all assigned reading materials, unless specified otherwise, even if it is not mentioned specifically in a lecture. While PowerPoint slides will be used to guide lectures, these slides will provide the major points but NOT the details. You will be tested on the details! Slides will available to students on Blackboard before the class. 1 of 4
Course Assessment and Important Due Dates: Mid‐term test Assignment 1 (Background report + data) Assignment 2 (Survey Report) Final Exam
Value 20% 10% 35% 35%
Due Date Tuesday Feb 11 (in class) Thursday Feb 13 by 11:59 pm Monday March 17th 11:59 pm Exam Period (date/time TBD)
*Detailed information on each of the assignments will be provided in class.
Course Assignments: The assignments are closely related and will involve doing background research on a selected environmental theme (themes to be provided in class), collecting primary data on that theme, analyzing the data and writing a final report. A series of questionnaires have been developed for each environmental theme, and each student will administer the questionnaire to a small number of students/professors/other employees to determine their views and practices relating to it. Data from each student will be submitted and pooled together to ensure a large sample and meaningful results. This project will be discussed in detail on January 21st….don’t miss it! All assignments (and exams) can be written in either French or English. A specific referencing style must be used (more on this in class). Clear, concise, persuasive, and grammatically correct writing is expected, and will affect the grade a paper receives.
***NOTICE*** This project is being conducted in collaboration with Jonathan Rausseo from the Sustainable Development Office on campus (http://www.sustainable.uottawa.ca). Your participation in this class will automatically enroll you in the Community Service Learning Program (http://www.els‐sae.uottawa.ca/els/students/csl‐in‐ course.php) and this assignment will be counted as volunteer hours that will appear on a formal transcript if requested. If you have questions or would like more information about this service, please visit the website. For students registered in the Environmental Studies Program, you are required to accumulate related volunteer hours to graduate – this project will get you started. For others, it is great experience and it will look good on your CV. A paperless course: This course has moved to a paperless format (for assignments and the syllabus at least). All assignments will be submitted electronically. A demonstration of how to do this will be given in class. Assignment must be submitted in a .pdf format. Policy on Late Papers and Extensions: Assignment due dates are final. Extensions will only be granted under extenuating circumstances, with written evidence showing cause for the extension before the due date. There is a 10% per business day penalty for late assignments. Papers will not be accepted after 5 days. Note that computer crashes, printer problems, poor time management, etc. are not valid reasons for late submission. Communication: I will answer emails if they pertain to a relatively straightforward problem that influences you directly. More complex questions should be asked in person during my office hours, while more generic questions about lectures or assignments should be shared with the rest of the class by means of the Discussion board function on Blackboard. I will check Blackboard and respond to questions at least twice a week. To contact 2 of 4
me or my TA’s, the best way to do so will be via email. TA email addresses are available on the ENV page in Blackboard. Assignments will be returned to you by email. Academic integrity and classroom etiquette Academic dishonesty, and in particular plagiarism, in any form is an offence that we take very seriously. All students are responsible for adhering to the University of Ottawa’s policy on academic fraud and plagiarism. The policy, as well as good examples of what is and is not plagiarism, can be consulted at: http://www.sass.uottawa.ca/writing/kit/plagiarism.php Plagiarism comes in many forms: Using an author’s words or ideas without proper reference Failing to put quotation marks around words taken from a source Unauthorized collaboration Falsifying or inventing information or data “Cutting and pasting” from the Internet Students are expected to attend lectures regularly and to switch off telephones, pagers, etc upon entering the classroom. Abusive language or behaviour in the classroom, on the Blackboard discussion board or in e‐ mail correspondence to the instructor, TAs or fellow students will not be tolerated. Free services available to students: The Mentoring Centre of the Faculty of Arts is located in room 125B, Simard Building. Student‐mentors share with students their University experience (community life, rules and regulations, learning strategies.). The SASS (Student Academic Success Service), established by the University, provides many services (http://web.sass.uottawa.ca/). One of them is the Academic Writing Help Center (AWHC) (http://www.sass.uottawa.ca/writing/) located at 110, University. The mission of the AWHC is “to contribute to your academic success and, more specifically, to give you the support that you need with regards to completing your academic writing assignments.” It is not, however, a proof‐reading service. The SASS regularly publishes a list of academic and social activities taking place on campus on its University 101 Web portal. (http://web.sass.uottawa.ca/university101/) The Access Service ‐ formerly called Special Services ‐ helps students with a physical handicap or learning disability. It is part of the SASS. (http://www.sass.uottawa.ca/access/)
3 of 4
Topic Schedule: Winter 2014 Dates and readings are subject to change – please stay tuned! *Note: for those with 1st edition texts, Chapters 15, 16 and 17 = Ch 16 and 17 in the 2nd edition
WEEK
DATE
TOPIC
READING
Week 1
Jan 7, 9
An introduction to environmental science
Ch 1
Week 2
Jan 14, 16
‘Sinking’ about and managing the environment
Ch 22
Week 3
Jan 21, 23*
Jan 21: Sustainable solutions Guest speaker: Jonathan Rausseo Introduce Assignment 1 (and 2) *Jan 23: No class
Ch 23
Week 4
Jan 28, 30
Ecosystems, or how the world works
Ch 3,4,5
Week 5
Feb 4, 6
How many is too many? Human population processes and challenges
Ch 6
Week 6
Feb 11, 13
Feb 11: Mid-term test Feb 13: Film screening and discussion Feb 13 (11:59 pm): submit assign 1 + data
No readings
No class – study week (Feb 16 - 22) Week 7
Feb 25, 27
Soils, food production and food security Full databases to be released
Ch 7,8
Week 8
Mar 4, 6
Water resources + The Aral Sea disaster
Ch 11 + extra posted reading
Week 9
Mar 11, 13
Environment and human health
Ch 19
Mar 18, 20
The energy we use and abuse: future changes and challenges
Ch 16, 17
Week 10
th
Mon Mar 17 (11:59pm) = submit assign 2 Week 11
Mar 25, 27
The urban environment: creating livable cities
Ch 20
Week 12
Apr 1, 3
April 1: The urban environment (Continued) April 3: Summary and review
No readings
4 of 4
Date TBD
FINAL EXAM
5 of 4
Professor Eric Crighton Office Hours: Simard Hall Room 06 tel: x1065 email: [email protected]
Tue 12:30 to 2:30 OR by appointment
Teaching Assistants: see Blackboard course page for names and contact info
Lecture Times: Tuesdays, 10:00 to 11:30; Thursdays, 8:30 to 10:00
Location: Lamoureux Hall (LMX) Room 122
Course Summary:
The principal objective of this course is to introduce students to a range of environmental concepts and issues as they pertain to global (and local) environmental challenges, and to begin to unravel some of the complex relationships between the environment and human activity. Major topics that will be covered include environmental sustainability, ecology, human population growth, renewable and non‐renewable resources, food production and security, environmental health and livable cities. These and other topics will be examined using current Canadian and international case studies. While the physical science behind these environmental issues will be explored, the course will adopt a primarily social science perspective.
The course will follow a lecture style format, however, questions and discussions will always be encouraged.
Required Course Readings:
Withgott J, Brennan S, Murck B. (2013). Environment: The Science Behind the Stories: 2nd Canadian Edition. Toronto: Pearson Canada. ISBN: 978‐0‐321‐73936‐0 This textbook (new and used) is available at Benjamin Books, 122 Osgoode Street (Tel: 232‐7495) just a few steps from campus. It is also available through on‐line booksellers. I have not requested the uOttawa bookstore to stock it. Note: the First edition may be available used elsewhere. The book is pretty much the same. Use the first edition if you can find it.
Students are also recommended to purchase the following guide to research and writing, which can be ordered new or used through on‐line booksellers or Benjamin Books:
Northey M, Knight DB, Draper D. (2012) Making Sense in Geography & Environmental Science: A student’s guide to research and writing. New York: Oxford University Press. Lecture Slides: Lectures require the involvement of students, and you are expected to have read the assigned chapter(s) before class. I will not simply repeat material from the readings in my lectures. You will be responsible for all assigned reading materials, unless specified otherwise, even if it is not mentioned specifically in a lecture. While PowerPoint slides will be used to guide lectures, these slides will provide the major points but NOT the details. You will be tested on the details! Slides will available to students on Blackboard before the class. 1 of 4
Course Assessment and Important Due Dates: Mid‐term test Assignment 1 (Background report + data) Assignment 2 (Survey Report) Final Exam
Value 20% 10% 35% 35%
Due Date Tuesday Feb 11 (in class) Thursday Feb 13 by 11:59 pm Monday March 17th 11:59 pm Exam Period (date/time TBD)
*Detailed information on each of the assignments will be provided in class.
Course Assignments: The assignments are closely related and will involve doing background research on a selected environmental theme (themes to be provided in class), collecting primary data on that theme, analyzing the data and writing a final report. A series of questionnaires have been developed for each environmental theme, and each student will administer the questionnaire to a small number of students/professors/other employees to determine their views and practices relating to it. Data from each student will be submitted and pooled together to ensure a large sample and meaningful results. This project will be discussed in detail on January 21st….don’t miss it! All assignments (and exams) can be written in either French or English. A specific referencing style must be used (more on this in class). Clear, concise, persuasive, and grammatically correct writing is expected, and will affect the grade a paper receives.
***NOTICE*** This project is being conducted in collaboration with Jonathan Rausseo from the Sustainable Development Office on campus (http://www.sustainable.uottawa.ca). Your participation in this class will automatically enroll you in the Community Service Learning Program (http://www.els‐sae.uottawa.ca/els/students/csl‐in‐ course.php) and this assignment will be counted as volunteer hours that will appear on a formal transcript if requested. If you have questions or would like more information about this service, please visit the website. For students registered in the Environmental Studies Program, you are required to accumulate related volunteer hours to graduate – this project will get you started. For others, it is great experience and it will look good on your CV. A paperless course: This course has moved to a paperless format (for assignments and the syllabus at least). All assignments will be submitted electronically. A demonstration of how to do this will be given in class. Assignment must be submitted in a .pdf format. Policy on Late Papers and Extensions: Assignment due dates are final. Extensions will only be granted under extenuating circumstances, with written evidence showing cause for the extension before the due date. There is a 10% per business day penalty for late assignments. Papers will not be accepted after 5 days. Note that computer crashes, printer problems, poor time management, etc. are not valid reasons for late submission. Communication: I will answer emails if they pertain to a relatively straightforward problem that influences you directly. More complex questions should be asked in person during my office hours, while more generic questions about lectures or assignments should be shared with the rest of the class by means of the Discussion board function on Blackboard. I will check Blackboard and respond to questions at least twice a week. To contact 2 of 4
me or my TA’s, the best way to do so will be via email. TA email addresses are available on the ENV page in Blackboard. Assignments will be returned to you by email. Academic integrity and classroom etiquette Academic dishonesty, and in particular plagiarism, in any form is an offence that we take very seriously. All students are responsible for adhering to the University of Ottawa’s policy on academic fraud and plagiarism. The policy, as well as good examples of what is and is not plagiarism, can be consulted at: http://www.sass.uottawa.ca/writing/kit/plagiarism.php Plagiarism comes in many forms: Using an author’s words or ideas without proper reference Failing to put quotation marks around words taken from a source Unauthorized collaboration Falsifying or inventing information or data “Cutting and pasting” from the Internet Students are expected to attend lectures regularly and to switch off telephones, pagers, etc upon entering the classroom. Abusive language or behaviour in the classroom, on the Blackboard discussion board or in e‐ mail correspondence to the instructor, TAs or fellow students will not be tolerated. Free services available to students: The Mentoring Centre of the Faculty of Arts is located in room 125B, Simard Building. Student‐mentors share with students their University experience (community life, rules and regulations, learning strategies.). The SASS (Student Academic Success Service), established by the University, provides many services (http://web.sass.uottawa.ca/). One of them is the Academic Writing Help Center (AWHC) (http://www.sass.uottawa.ca/writing/) located at 110, University. The mission of the AWHC is “to contribute to your academic success and, more specifically, to give you the support that you need with regards to completing your academic writing assignments.” It is not, however, a proof‐reading service. The SASS regularly publishes a list of academic and social activities taking place on campus on its University 101 Web portal. (http://web.sass.uottawa.ca/university101/) The Access Service ‐ formerly called Special Services ‐ helps students with a physical handicap or learning disability. It is part of the SASS. (http://www.sass.uottawa.ca/access/)
3 of 4
Topic Schedule: Winter 2014 Dates and readings are subject to change – please stay tuned! *Note: for those with 1st edition texts, Chapters 15, 16 and 17 = Ch 16 and 17 in the 2nd edition
WEEK
DATE
TOPIC
READING
Week 1
Jan 7, 9
An introduction to environmental science
Ch 1
Week 2
Jan 14, 16
‘Sinking’ about and managing the environment
Ch 22
Week 3
Jan 21, 23*
Jan 21: Sustainable solutions Guest speaker: Jonathan Rausseo Introduce Assignment 1 (and 2) *Jan 23: No class
Ch 23
Week 4
Jan 28, 30
Ecosystems, or how the world works
Ch 3,4,5
Week 5
Feb 4, 6
How many is too many? Human population processes and challenges
Ch 6
Week 6
Feb 11, 13
Feb 11: Mid-term test Feb 13: Film screening and discussion Feb 13 (11:59 pm): submit assign 1 + data
No readings
No class – study week (Feb 16 - 22) Week 7
Feb 25, 27
Soils, food production and food security Full databases to be released
Ch 7,8
Week 8
Mar 4, 6
Water resources + The Aral Sea disaster
Ch 11 + extra posted reading
Week 9
Mar 11, 13
Environment and human health
Ch 19
Mar 18, 20
The energy we use and abuse: future changes and challenges
Ch 16, 17
Week 10
th
Mon Mar 17 (11:59pm) = submit assign 2 Week 11
Mar 25, 27
The urban environment: creating livable cities
Ch 20
Week 12
Apr 1, 3
April 1: The urban environment (Continued) April 3: Summary and review
No readings
4 of 4
Date TBD
FINAL EXAM
5 of 4
