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Geography Department of Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, Connecticut, USA.

COURSE SYLLABUS

GEOGRAPHY 433:   ISSUES IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION  FALL 2004     

Instructor:     Dr. Peter A. Kwaku Kyem                       Office: Diloreto   208 011

Telephone:    832-2801,  Lecture room:  FD 314   E-mail: kyemp@ccsu.edu          

Class Time:   Thursday 5.15 - 7.45 p.m..                          

Office Hrs:    MWF 10-12 Noon. and also by appointment

Description of the Course:

Equipped with modern technology and imbued with an almost insatiable demand for comfort and luxury, human beings have exploited resources of the earth with great intensity. As a result, the natural balance of the environment in many places of the earth has been upset and serious consequences have begun to show. Some of these unintended consequences of our action on the environment (viz., global warming, ozone layer depletion etc.,) threaten our very existence on planet earth. Concerns over deterioration of the environment have become pronounced. It has therefore become imperative to educate ourselves about the environment so we can reduce the adverse human impacts.

Studying environmental and resource problems are quite different from the way many courses in the university are taught and studied. This is because environmental problems have many aspects to them. They often involve a combination of ideas, techniques, and information from the physical sciences (such as physics, biology and chemistry) as well as the social sciences (including economics, politics, and ethics). Luckily, Geography offers a unique medium and a strategy for synthesizing the many facets of complex environmental problems.  

Objectives:

In order that we may design and adopt sound environmental policies in the future, it is important that we understand the scientific and social basis of environmental problems. It is also imperative that we understand the perspectives and human values that influence individual and group action on the environment. This way, we will be able to engage in a balanced discussion of opposing views on major environmental issues. The objective of this course therefore, is to examine and analyze key concepts and principles that govern the work of nature and apply them to environmental and resource problems. The course will highlight both the physical and human aspects of topics we discuss in class.  A central theme of the course will be the examination of the impact of human activity on the environment and the efforts that people making to control such impacts. Contrasts in viewpoints on environmental problems will be examined to help explain differences in peoples' attitude towards the environment. Students will be encouraged throughout the course (i.e., oral presentations, answering questions and written assignments) to develop and support their own positions on current environmental problems and to search for possible solutions. In addition, students will be assisted to develop skills in group work, data search and organization, critical thinking, writing and oral presentation. Active participation in class discussions is expected of every student and will be rewarded accordingly. 

COURSE OUTLINE:

The Course Schedule Disclaimer

The course schedule is a best estimate and slight deviations from schedule may occur.  The schedule may change due to unexpectedly rapid or slow progress through the materials or due to other unforeseen circumstances. Plan accordingly.

DATE                           TOPICS                               READINGS

SEPTEMBER 2004

Sept. 9th    Overview of Environmental Problems Chapt.1    Issue 2  Lecture1A   Lecture1B 

Sept. 16th  Environmental History" Chapt. 2    Lecture2 Assignment   

A. Click on this for Lynn_White's Article (this week's Assignment)

B. Click on titles below for forms for Taking Sides Assignments

1. Guide for Examining a Position    2) Issue_Evaluation_Form

C. Requirements for the Project_Work

Sept. 23  Environmental Worldviews: Chapt. 28 Lecture3   Assignment   

A Film: Earth First - CBS 60 Minutes Documentary. Issue 4, 10th ED: 

Sept. 23th Science, Matter & Energy Laws  b) Ecosystem: Organisms and their Environment. Chapt.s 3&4: Issue 1 Pre-Lecture ReviewQuestions  Lecture_4   Issue for February 20th 2003: (Issue 16, 10th ED) (issue 7, 9th ED).b) A Film: "Serengeti" about Ecosystems Lab questions   Assignments    QUIZ    Questions on Serengeti_Film  

RESEARCH_REPORT

September 30th 2004: The Human Population Problem: Lecture5A (powerpoint)  Lecture5B (notes)  ReviewQuestions  Assignment    Chapt. 12. (Issue 17, 10th ED)