Syllabus
EGEO 423 Pacific Rim: Sustainable Environment

Fall 2005
 3 Credits

Instructor: Patrick Buckley, Assoc. Prof.
Ph: (360) 650-4773  e-mail patrick@cc.wwu.edu

 

This course utilizes the Human--Environmental approach of Geography (the interaction between people, the environment, and culture) where the relationship between human's and the environment within which they live is the focus.  This involves both the investigation of how the society has effected the environment  and vice versa.

 

Objective:  An in depth investigation of the relationship of humans to their environment both physical and cultural in the three major nations of the Pacific Rim: China, Japan, and US.

Goals

1.  Broad and Comparative Knowledge: The student will become well acquainted with four major human--environmental issues facing the three major Pacific Rim nations; China, Japan, and the United States.  These are:

·         Each nation's past Environmental Policy and Sustainability (the framework within which decisions have and are made)

 

·         Water Part 1 -- our most precious resource (the most limited natural resource)

  • China -- supply issues in the north

  • US -- shortages on the high plains

  • Japan -- deterioration of coastal waters

 

·       Water Part 2 -- Control and Transfer issues (attempts by society to alter the environment)

  • China -- Three Gorges Project and North-South transfer schemes

  • Japan -- Nibutami Dam and "topocratic" governance

  • US -- Snake River Dams and consequences for salmon

 

 

·         The Role of the Public in Governance

  • China's GO-NGOs

  • Japan -- Citizen Activism

2.       Student Group Research and Focused Knowledge: Based on one of the above topical areas, the student groups will prepare a research paper (15 pages) that compares a specific aspect of the issue in the United States to either Japan or China.  This will help students hone their critical thinking, research, and writing skills while obtaining in-depth knowledge. 

 

3.       Abstracting and Presentation Skills:  Twice during the quarter students will be assigned a portion of the readings to abstract and outline for sharing with the class.  In addition, students will then lead the discussion on the assigned reading during the class period.  This will help students to develop their skills at extracting critical arguments and facts from books and articles and also their skills at verbally and orally presenting such materials.

 

 

Class Overview

·        Read and discuss background studies on human--environmental issues in China, Japan, and US

·        Write and develop short summaries for presentation on part of the assigned readings

·        Maintain a daily log of reflections on class readings and discussions

·        Research and write a group paper

·        Write midterm and final exam

 

Grading

Class Points

10pts    Class Journal

10pts    Class Assignments: Reading abstracts/outlines and discussion leadership

20pts    Group Paper

30pts    Midterm

30pts    Final

Unexcused absences result in 1pt deducted per scheduled class hour from final score

Letter Grade

100-90  A, A-

89-78    B+,B,B-

77--66   C+,C,C-

65--54   D+,D,D-

 

 Student Responsibilities

1.  Preparedness and Participation: Lively discussions are essential to a senior level class of this nature, adequate preparation will always be necessary.  During the class, students will randomly be called on to discuss their understanding of reading materials and lectures.  Periodically study questions will be posted on the class web page to help students prepare for upcoming exams and to help in the integration of materials.

2.  Class Assignments: Periodically, students will be occasionally asked to abstract/outline one of the following period’s readings for sharing with all class members.  In addition, the student will then be asked to lead the class discussion or report to the class on the reading.  For such activity students will be required to prepare a 2 to 3 page typed summary as a handout for their fellow students.

3.  Student Journal or Log: On a daily basis (based on class days) student will be expected to maintain a log based on their readings, and their thoughts and reflections from materials and ideas discussed in class. (see Journal)

4.  Short Group Project: In consultation with the course instructors, a student should select a topic for a short research paper.  Given the intensive nature of a quarter, topic selection must be completed by third week.  Students will then research the topic and present the paper at the final week of class meetings. 

5.  Exams:  If class size is small enough (no more than 10 students) then exams will have both a written and oral component.  The  written portion of the exam will consist of two short essay questions to be answered in 50 minutes, followed by a 5 minute oral.  During the oral portion the instructor will discuss the student’s written answer and further explore their knowledge of the course.  This method enables students to rapidly present their most important ideas in written form, and still have a chance to demonstrate greater depth and breadth of knowledge during the oral portion of the exam.  If class size is too large (well over 10 students), then a longer  written format will be followed for each exam.