Foundations in History & Policy of Renewable Natural Resources


RNR 200 UA SNR Home Syllabus Lectures, Readings E Reserves Other Resources For more information please contact the instructor: sarcher@ag.arizona.edu		FOUNDATIONS IN NATURAL RESOURCE HISTORY AND POLICY RNR 200: COURSE SYLLABUS FALL SEMESTER 2008
	Class Location: ILC 125 Class Meeting Times: T TH 9:30 am – 10:45 am Class Web Page: http://ag.arizona.edu/classes/rnr200 Electronic Reserves: http://eres.library.arizona.edu/eres/ Password: ecosystem (recommended browser for Mac users: Mozilla Firefox) Desire2Learn (D2L): D2L is a web-based course management system that allows "anytime, anywhere" access to syllabi, grading, readings, communication, etc. Steps for logging into D2L: Open up an Internet browser (i.e., Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) Go to http://d2l.arizona.edu Click on the NetID button in the upper left corner of the screen Log in using the same information you use for UA Webmail Instructors: Steve Archer, 316 BioSciences East Phone: 626-8791 Email: sarcher@ag.arizona.edu Office Hours: 11:00am – 1:00pm T, TH; or by appointment Jason Field, 226A, BioSciences East Phone: 626-7131 Email: jpfield@email.arizona.edu Office Hours: 9:30 am – 11:00 am M, W; or by appointment Course Description: This course will introduce students to the roles of various scientific disciplines in conservation biology and natural resource (forest, range, recreation, fisheries, wildlife, and wilderness) management and to the history, mission and mandate of governmental and non-governmental resource management agencies. We will explore the history of conservation from ancient times to the present, concentrating on the evolution of conservation perspectives in the United States. The contributions of key conservation leaders over the course of history, and their role in the development of landmark conservation legislation and policy will be presented, along with legislation and policy issues affecting renewable natural resources. Course Objectives: Provide students with a basic understanding of the scientific disciplines that form the foundation for natural resources conservation and management. Instill an appreciation of the historical roots and of past and present forces driving natural resources conservation issues. Overview the history, mission and mandate of federal resource management agencies and their roles in implementing natural resource law and policy. The course should be of special interest to students seeking to pursue careers in natural resources management, as it will give them a sense of the legacy behind their potential career choice and exposure to the broad array of career opportunities. Students taking this course will be better able to set and chart a path toward career goals in natural resources conservation and management. The course will be presented through a combination of lectures, audio-visual presentations, writing assignments and student-team presentations. Knowledge and Concepts: Understand the role of various scientific disciplines in conservation and management of natural resources. Gain familiarity with key sub-disciplines in ecology Know the distinctions between basic and applied science; between biology, ecology, environmental science, and conservation biology; and how these relate to forest, range, watershed and wildlife management. Gain an understanding of the importance of a systems perspective on resource conservation and management Know the historical timeline for the development of current perspectives on the environment and natural resources. Understand the philosophical differences underlying contrasting perspectives on the environment and natural resources. Understand the history, mission and mandate of governmental and non-governmental resource management agencies Know the basis, intent and historical context of key pieces of environmental legislation Understand the development of land tenure systems in the US and the challenges presented for regulating resource use, conservation and management Gain an appreciation for the need to integrate natural and social sciences Skills Upon completion of this class, students should be able to: Articulate how various scientific disciplines inform natural resources conservation, management and policy Effectively argue why a multidisciplinary, systems perspective is requisite for resource management Identify past, present, and future forces (natural and anthropogenic) driving natural resources conservation issues Describe how societies’ perspectives on natural resources have changed through history; and how these historical legacies may influence current and future resource management and policy Provide a general overview of roles government and non-governmental agencies play in implementing natural resource law and policy Articulate grand challenges facing resource managers and policy makers Effectively articulate the socioeconomic importance of maintaining ecosystem health and ecosystem goods and services GRADING: A= 100 – 90%, B=89 – 80%, C=79 – 70%, D=69 – 60%, E=59% and lower out of a possible 400 points: Exams & Assignments (400 points): A midterm exam (100 points), Final Exam (100 points), 4 – ten point quizzes (unannounced; 40 points), 3 – twenty point individual assignments (60 points); and a team presentation (100 points). The final exam will not be comprehensive, but will be required in order to pass the course. Team Presentation: Students will be randomly assigned to teams (3-4/team) at the beginning of the semester. Each team will identify a key U.S. conservation leader, issue or event and prepare a 15-minute presentation to be made to the class at the end of the semester. A two-page (maximum) proposal (single-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman, 1-inch margins on all sides) for presentation topics must be approved by the instructors by 21 October 2008. The proposal should articulate the rationale for selecting the topic, list at least five references relevant to the topic, and articulate the role that will be played by each team member in developing the presentation. The proposal will be factored into the overall presentation grade at the end of the semester. The instructor and the class audience will evaluate each presentation by assigning numerical scores on standardized forms (to be handed out later in the semester). Students are required to attend and evaluate group presentations and will be docked 10 points per class period missed. Team members will also score their colleagues’ contribution to developing the presentation on standardized forms (to be handed out later in the semester). Grading will be based on a combination of presentation scores and individual contribution scores. Late Work: Students missing spot quizzes will be assigned zero points for that quiz; no make up is allowed. Late midterm exams will not be given except under dire circumstances and with advance approval of the instructor. Credit will not be given for late assignments unless there has been prior consent of the instructor. Attendance: Attendance is not required. However, exams will emphasize materials covered in class and credit will not be given for missed spot quizzes (except in the case of excused absences), so attendance is highly encouraged. All holidays or special events observed by organized religions will be honored for those students who show affiliation with that particular religion. Absences pre-approved by the UA Dean of Students (or Dean’s designee) will be honored. Special Needs: Students needing special accommodations or services should contact the S.A.L.T. Center for Learning Disabilities (1010 N. Highland Ave.; 621-1242; URL: http://www.salt.arizona.edu/ ) or the Disability Resource Center (DRC), Highland Commons Building, 1224 E. Lowell Street; 621-3268; URL: http://drc.arizona.edu/ ). These offices will verify the need for special services. Please provide the instructor with verification no later than in the second week of class in order to help provide the best learning environment possible. Academic Integrity: Students are encouraged to share ideas and skills and to freely discuss the principles and applications of course materials. In-class discussion is encouraged. Graded work and exercises must be the product of independent effort unless instructed or approved otherwise. Students are expected to adhere to the University of Arizona Code of Academic Integrity as described in the University of Arizona Record – General Catalog: http://dos.web.arizona.edu/uapolicies/. Classroom behavior: Please show respect for the instructor and your fellow students by maintaining a quiet atmosphere in the classroom. Turn off pagers and cell phones. See http://web.arizona.edu/~policy/disrupt.shtml for an overview of policies on disruptive behavior. The University seeks to promote a safe environment where students and employees may participate in the educational process without compromising their health, safety or welfare. The Arizona Board of Regents’ Student Code of Conduct, ABOR Policy 5-308, prohibits threats of physical harm to any member of the University community, including to one’s self. See http://policy.web.arizona.edu/~policy/threaten.shtml. Textbook: The course draws upon a number of books, most of which will be on reserve in the library. Other reading assignments will be given periodically and these will be listed and available either on the course web site or in library electronic reserves. The following texts are encouraged for study and reading. They should be available in the bookstore; and will be on reserve in the library. American Environmentalism by Roderick Frazier Nash A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold The Origins of Modern Environmental Thought. by J.E. de Steiguer FOUNDATIONS IN NATURAL RESOURCE HISTORY AND POLICY TENTATIVE SEMESTER OUTLINE FALL 2008 (subject to change as deemed appropriate by instructor) Week One Aug 26, Tues - 1. Introduction to Course Aug 28, Thurs - 2. Natural Resources: an Overview (Dr. Lisa Graumlich, Director, UA School of Natural Resources) Week Two Sep 2, Tues - 3. Perspectives on Nature & Environment Sep 4, Thurs- 4. Perspectives on Nature & Environment (Organize Presentation Teams in Class) Week Three Sep 9, Tues - 5. What is Ecology? Sep 11, Thurs- 6. What are Ecosystems? Week Four Sep 16, Tues - 7. Origins of Modern Environmental Thought – An Overview (Dr. J.E. de Steiguer) Sep 18, Thurs- 8. Conservation Milestones (Follow up on presentation teams) Week Five Sep 23, Tues - 9. Conservation Milestones Sep 25, Thurs- 10. Wild by Law: Rise of Environmentalism and Creation of Wilderness Act Week Six Sep 30, Tues 11. Current Perspectives on Resource Management – Range & Forestry Oct 2, Thurs-12. Current Perspectives on Resource Management – Watersheds & IT (Assignment #1 due) Week Seven Oct 7, Tues - 13. Current Perspectives on Resource Management – Wildlife Oct 9, Thurs- 14. Science, Philosophy & Ethics: Aldo Leopold Week Eight Oct 14, Tues - 15. MID-TERM EXAM Oct 16, Thurs- 16. Ecology, Ecosystem Science and NR Management & Policy Week Nine Oct 21, Tues - 17. Age of Environmentalism **PRESENTATION PROPOSAL DUE) Oct 23, Thurs- 18. Age of Environmentalism Week Ten Oct 28, Tues - 19. Resource Management: Forest Service, NRCS,BLM,and NGOs Oct 30, Thurs- 20. Panel Discussion (J. Ruyle, USFS, R. Carter, Sonoran Institute) Assignment #2 due) Week Eleven Nov 4, Tues - 21. Resource Management: USGS, NPS, USFWS Nov 6, Thurs- 22. Panel Discussion (A. Hubbard, NPS; J. Lovich, USGS) Assignment #3 due) Week Twelve Nov 11, Tues - 23. Veterns Day – No Class Nov 13, Thurs- 24. Global Change Week Thirteen Nov 18, Tues - 25. Global Change/Grand Challenges Nov 20, Thurs- 26. Grand Challenges Week Fourteen Nov 25, Tues - 27. Student Presentations Nov 27, Thurs- 28, Thanksgiving (No Class) Week Fifteen Dec 2, Tues - 29. Student Presentations Dec 4, Thurs- 30. Student Presentations Week Sixteen Dec 9, Tues - 31. Student Presentations & Course Evaluations (last day of class) Dec 16 Tues Final Exam 8-10 a.m. (required)**
		Updated: Wednesday, 23-Jan-2013 11:32:33 MST