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Environmental
Science 1
The Human Impact on the Natural World
co-taught with
Speech 104
Course
Syllabus
Required
texts
(all books are available in the WLA bookstore)
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Kaufman, Donald
G. and Franz, Cecilia M., Biosphere 2000: Protecting our
Global Environment, Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company: Dubuque,
Iowa, 1996. ISBN 0-7872-0460-9 (hardback).
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Glendinning, Chellis,
My Name Is Chellis and I’m In Recovery From Western Civilization,
Shambhala: Boston, 1994, ISBN 0-87773-996-X (paperback).
- Course Syllabus and Supplemental
Reading Packet
-
Writing Style
Guide of your choice
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EMAIL
account and INTERNET access.
Each
week you MUST visit and read material at some of the following web
sites:
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Jackie Alan
Giuliano, Ph.D.
Ph.D., Environmental Studies, The Union Institute, Cincinnati,
Ohio, 1998
M.S. in Environmental Studies, California State University,
Dominguez Hills, 1983.
B.A. in Astronomy, USC, 1977.
Biography
In addition to his West L.A. College teaching, Jackie has
taught Environmental Science, Environment and Human Health,
Astronomy, Community Action and Social Responsibility, and
the History of Science for Antioch University, Los Angeles.
He has also taught Environmental Science and Environmental
Ethics, for the University of Phoenix Southern California
Campuses as well as Project Management, Critical Thinking
and Decision Making, and Communications. His professional
experience includes fifteen years as a mission planner for NASA
space exploration programs at Caltech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
He lectures widely in the fields of environmental studies, science
and society, ecofeminism, social activism, and critical thinking.
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Telephone/Email
- (310) 390-3502 [voice/fax]
between 10am and 9pm for voice or FAX
- email
anytime: jackie@deepteaching.com
(email is a very reliable means to communicate with the instructor
since he is connected 24-hours a day with a high speed line.)
The instructor may be contacted
between the hours of 10am to 9pm Monday thru Saturday at the
above phone number to arrange for individual meetings with students
or to discuss any issue.
Office
Hours
- Tuesday:
5pm-6pm at Kaiser; Wednesday and Thursday: 4pm - 6pm at WLA
Room ATA 218
- If you need to call during
these office hours, use the instructor's pager: 310-564-2362.
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Class
Meetings
Course
Description
This course will
examine human impacts on the Earth's environment that affect the planet's
delicate life support systems. We will survey pollution in many forms
and explore air quality, pesticide use, acid rain, water resource
issues, municipal waste problems, and land use planning issues such
as airport and highway impacts. How humans can determine their impact
on the environment will be studied as well as how to understand the
social and economic impact of our actions. Ecological cycles and energy
flows on the Earth and the impact of human activities on their delicate
balances will be explored.
Learning
Contract
Student Understandings
- I understand that although I am
very busy and lead a full life, I have signed up for this class
to learn and to expand my knowledge. I am committed to fulfilling
the objectives of the class to the best of my ability.
- I understand that I have signed
up for an accelerated program that will require more work done in
a shorter period of time than if I took a standard course.
- I understand that the class will
focus on practice not on lecture.
- I understand that I will be held
regularly responsible for assessing my own work using criteria and
standards discussed in class.
- I understand that in this class,
I will be exploring new concepts, many of which will challenge the
assumptions I have made about how society and the world operates.
- I understand that many of the
subjects covered in this class will be controversial with many differing
viewpoints possible.
- I understand that I must try to
keep an open mind and to challenge the assumptions I have made about
the world.
- I understand that for every class
day I will have a written assignment due that must be computer generated
or typed.
- I understand that there are 11
short written assignments, 3 mini papers, 9 video assignments, 1
nature journal and 1 final paper (made up of the mini papers) due
for this class.
- I understand that Saturday workshops
and weekly viewing of required videos are required element of the
course.
- I understand that I must keep
a Nature Journal as described in the syllabus during the course.
- I understand the standards in
this course and that I am responsible for monitoring my own learning.
- I understand that I must do a
Self-Evaluation, in which I "make a case" for receiving a particular
grade using criteria provided in class and citing evidence from
my work throughout the course.
- I understand that this course
requires consistent classroom attendance and active participation.
- I understand that the class will
not be graded on a curve. I understand that it is theoretically
possible for the whole class to get an A or an F.
- I understand that there is a grade
penalty for missed classes. Every one unexcused absence after the
first one results in a 1/3 of a grade penalty. (Hence, with two
absences, if my final grade had been C+, it would be reduced to
a C; if C- it would be reduced to D+).
- I understand that I must keep
in touch with the instructor and notify him at once of any absences,
problems, questions and to negotiate to turn in late work it that
becomes necessary.
- I understand that no late work
will be accepted unless prior negotiations have been made with the
instructor. Late work turned in without prior negotiation will receive
0 points.
INSTRUCTOR UNDERSTANDINGS
- I understand that all the students
are working adults with full schedules and busy lives. I have done
my best to create meaningful assignments that are worth spending
time on and that will contribute to the student's life and learning.
- I understand that the students
need feedback and I will do my best to have assignments returned
in the following week.
- I understand that I need to be
available to the students. I am available anytime by email, by telephone
(at the hours posted in the syllabus) and will be present before
each class as indicated in the syllabus.
- I understand that I must keep
the class focused, present material in an engaging manner and to
engage the students in the learning to the best of my abilities.
- I understand that I must behave
in a professional manner at all times.
Objectives
1. To understand
the Earth's ecological cycles and the processes responsible for
life on our planet. To appreciate the Earth's place as a unique
planet in the Solar System.
2. To increase
the student's awareness of the impact of human activities on the
planet and to understand the means by which these impacts can
be mitigated.
3. To understand
the political forces that affect the environmental balance. To
gain an appreciation of the legal aspects of environmental management.
4. To consider
that in this and the next century, the choices we make may shape
the future of our planet for all time. What course should we follow?
Should we force business to cease the production of harmful atmospheric
pollutants. Should we accept the risks and affects of a technological
society? What are the sociological and psychological aspects of
environmental management?
5. To expand
the student's range of thought and perception. To provide a vehicle
for the student to contribute intelligently to national (and international)
environmental policy.
6. To encourage
the student to think on a global scale and to consider the far-reaching
consequences of any action.
7. To elucidate
and clarify the substantial contributions of women and non-white
scientists to the evolution of the understanding of the Earth's
place in the universe.
Attendence
The PACE teaching/learning model includes
mandatory class attendance. Saturday workshops as well as weekly class
sessions must be attended in full. If an absence is necessary, students
must contact the instructor prior to the absence. Remember that individual
participation is required of each student for the successful completion
of this course to demonstrate familiarity with the assignments and the
ability to combine practical experience with theory. ABSENCE
FROM CLASS WILL HAVE A PROFOUND NEGATIVE EFFECT ON YOUR GRADE.
Students must make up all missed work and additional replacement
assignments will be assigned. Class participation points will
be lost in the event of an absence and they cannot be made up.
Be advised that late arrivals can accrue
into workshop absences. For example, if you are one hour late for
two workshops, you have missed the equivalent of one entire class.
Timeliness of Required Assignments
Deadlines for assignments are an important element
of the learning experience. In "real life," we are rarely
given an unlimited amount of time to complete an assignment of any
kind, and the discipline to budget your time is a skill that is one
of the most important you can learn. NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED
unless prior negotiations have been made.
Incompletes
It
is the policy of West L.A. College to grant Incompletes upon request
by the student and with the concurrence of the instructor. If your
situation is such that you are unable to complete the requirements
of the course and would like an Incomplete for the course, you must
specifically request it from me. I will not automatically give an
Incomplete for unfinished work. If your work is unfinished at the
end of the quarter and I have not had any communication from you,
you will not receive any points for that work.
Timeliness
of Required Assignments
Deadlines for
assignments are an important element of the learning experience. In
"real life," we are rarely given an unlimited amount of time to complete
an assignment of any kind, and the discipline to budget your time
is a skill that is one of the most important you can learn. NO LATE
WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED unless prior negotiations have been made.
Keep Track of Your Progress
You should keep
careful track of your points during a class. There should never be
any doubt in your mind what grade you are getting at anytime during
the class.
Study Groups
Study groups
will be formed during the first class and these groups will work together
for the duration of the course. The study groups serve to:
- Strengthen each member's learning
and problem-solving skills and develop each member's skills in written
and oral communication.
- Encourage cooperation and team
building among the members and enable members to cover more material
together than they could cover alone.
You are encouraged to
do as much of the course work together as you can. This can include
watching videos, discussing assignments, reading each other's work
for typos, etc.
Course Requirements
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Students are expected
to attend class, complete homework assignments, and participate
in field trips. The instructor should be contacted in advance
when conflicts arise that may interfere with attendance.
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Be an active participant
in class activities and discussions.
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Complete the assignments,
attend all Saturday meetings, and watch the required outside video
assignments
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