Global Environmental Change
Spring Quarter 1999
Faculty: Dr. Kevin F. Downing
Hours/Location:
DePaul University (SNL) Thursdays 6:30-9:30
227C O’Hare Office Center O'Hare Campus
3166 River Road 4/1-6/3
Des Plaines, IL 60018
Competencies Offered: S (PW-G), S-1-A (PW-2), S-2-D (PW-A), S-3-C (PW-M)
(= Pre-1999 Curriculum)
Course Description: Many ongoing changes in the natural environment are so extensive in scale that scientists consider them a threat to sustaining a reasonable quality of life for humans worldwide. Examples of issues of particular and urgent concern are: the rapid changes in the chemistry of the atmosphere that can alter the earth's prevailing climate patterns; the amount of pollutants in the oceans that can breach essential parts of the food chain; the consumption or contamination of natural resources, such as minerals for industrial use, petroleum, groundwater, and agriculturally important soils and; the spatial reduction of terrestrial biomes with corresponding extinctions of organisms.
In this course, we will review and analyze the recent earth science research on these and other global change issues in order to assess their relative importance for the human community. We will also examine and evaluate how human activities can have direct and causal relationships to specific adverse global environmental changes. Additional topics that will be addressed include emerging theories of sustainable development, ecological ("Green") economics, and environmental laws.
Learning Experience: Through readings, discussions, lectures, and original inquiry, students will be introduced to the principal global environmental change issues. Students will select one issue for more detailed analysis and utilize the course learning experience to formulate a plan for personal, governmental, and/or global action to address an environmental problem.
Textbook:
Cunningham and Saigo. 1998. Global Environmental Change: A Global Concern, 5th Ed.,
Wm. C Brown/McGraw Hill Publishers , ISBN: 0697360237.
Helpful References for Research:
Journals:
There are numerous scientific journals in the environmental, geological, biological and chemical disciplines that regularly address Global Environmental Change. Access these through the search engines available through the DePaul University Library system.
Internet Resources:
U.S. Global Change Research Information Office (GCRIO)
Global Change Electronic Edition
Other References:
Costanza, R., 1991. Ecological Economics, Columbia Press, 525p.
Groombridge, B., 1992. Global Biodiversity, Chapman & Hall Publishers, 558p.
Houghton, J., Jenkins, G., and Ephraums, J., 1990. Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, 364p.
Kareiva, P., Kingsolver, J. and Huey, R., 1993. Biotic Interactions and Global Change, Sinauer Publishers, 558p.
Laing, D., 1991. The Earth System, Wm. C. Brown Publishers, 590p.
Meffe, G. and Carroll, C., 1994. Principles of Conservation Biology, Sinauer Publishers, 600p.
Swanson, T. 1994. The International Regulation of Extinction, New York University Press, 289p.
Wilson, E.O., 1988. Biodiversity (Fourth Edition), National Academy Press 521p.
Relationship of this course to the Competence Framework:
S (PW-G) : Can describe and explain connections among diverse aspects of nature.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Describe and explain connections among the diverse aspects of the earth’s Biosphere, Hydrosphere, and Atmosphere, including the GAIA hypothesis.
S-1-A (PW-2): Can explore natural phenomena or the world of everyday experiences using scientific methods, and can use theories to interpret observations.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
* Articulate and apply critical thinking and multiple working hypotheses to scientific and everyday problems.
* Develop, test, and refine questions and/or hypotheses concerning environmental issues and controversies.
* Critically evaluate the methodology employed, conclusions drawn, and recommendations reached by others analyzing environmental issues.
* Use elements of scientific inquiry toward an understanding of ecosystem phenomena.
S-3-C (PW-M) : Can understand the scientific and social dimensions of an environmental issue.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Select a Global Environmental Change Issue that is important to society and analyze it from a scientific perspective.
S-2-D (PW-A) : Can describe, categorize and analyze the interactions and exchanges between living organisms and their physical environments.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Describe, categorize and analyze the interactions and exchanges between living organisms and their physical environments and relate these to patterns of global environmental change.
S-3-C: Can understand the scientific and social dimensions of an environmental issue.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Select a Global Environmental Change Issue that is important to society and analyze it from a scientific perspective.
Learning Strategies and Tools:
Students will be actively involved in the learning process. Learning activities will include:
1. Lectures, Discussion, and Debate.
2. Demonstrations and Computer Simulations.
3. Readings (Text and Supplementary).
4. Group Exercises/Laboratory Exercises/Biologic and Paleontologic Specimens.
6. Visual Aids (Slides/Videos).
7. Original Inquiry.
8. A Field Trip (TBA).
Assessment:
For all competencies: 1) demonstration of understanding of concepts and primary knowledge of topical information included in course, by successful completion of a final examination (take-home), 2) completion of original inquiry term paper focusing on a global environmental issue(s), 3) short (6-8 minutes) oral presentation of findings, 4) participation in in-class lab exercises and fieldtrip, 5) preparation for and participation in class discussions.
Evaluation Methods:
Attendance Policy: 3 absences will result in a failing grade. Coming to class late (>15 minutes) or leaving early 2 times will be equivalent to one absence.
Academic Policy: I follow DePaul University’s policy on Academic Integrity which is discussed in the student handbook
SCHEDULE
Topics and Assignment Deadlines: Readings:
NOTE: Readings should be completed before the respective week they
are listed against.(Chapters refer to Cunningham)
(Part 1 Environmental Science)
Session 1 Introduction to Science and Global Environmental Issues:
A. Course Requirements and Expectations Chapters 2 & 3
B. What is Science and the Scientific Method ?
C. Global Environmental Issues
Ideas and Concepts
Environmental Philosophies/Sustainable Development
Topic Overview
D. Matter, Energy and Light
Session 2 Environmental Change... Lessons From the Past: Chapters 6, 7
A. Geologic Record of Global Environmental Change
B. Population and the Environment through time
(Part 2 Biological Resources)
Session 3 Land Degradation Chapters 10, 11, 12
B. Global degradation of land resources
* Turn in a Title & Brief Description for an Original Research Paper
Session 4 Changes in Global Biodiversity I: Chapters 4, 5, 13,
A. Biological Diversity
B. Origination and Extinction
C. Biotic Interactions and Global Change
Session 5 Changes in Global Biodiversity II
& Theories of Sustainable Growth Chapters 14, 15, 8
A. Diversity at Risk…Ecosystems; Animals/Plants; Regions
C. Theories of Sustainable Growth/Development
D. Ecological Economics
(Part 3 Physical Resources)
Session 6 The Character of the World's Changing Resources
Chapters 16, 17 & 18
Crustal Resources
Air
* Take-Home Final Exam handed-out
Session 7 The Character of the World's Changing Chapter 19, 20
Water Resources
A. Marine Pollution
B. Aquifer Depletion
C. Desertification
Session 8 The Character of the World's Changing Chapter 21, 22
Energy Resources
A. Marine Pollution
Session 9 Politics and Global Environmental Change: Chapters 23-25 "Controlling" Global Environmental Change:
A. Environmental and Green Movements
B. International Policies/Laws
* Take-Home Final Exam due at beginning of class
Session 10 Student Presentations
* Research Papers Due at the Beginning of Class