ENVS 6010 – Applying Human Dimensions Concepts to Natural Resource Management
Instructor:
Dr. Adam Gibson
970-310-1518
“Office Hours” by appointment
Course Overview
This course provides the opportunity for us to explore how methods and strategies from many disciplines within the social science fields (e.g., sociology, psychology, economics, anthropology, geography) may be applied towards natural resource management. Most of our natural resource problems have their roots in the human dimension, and if we are to be successful land managers, it would serve us well to have an understanding of how to negotiate this dimension.
Course objectives:
1-Gaining factual knowledge: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the myriad and complex ways humans relate to the natural environment.
2-Learning to apply course material to improve thinking, problem solving, and decision-making: Students will identify how social science theories can be applied in influencing behavior and providing support for natural resource management practices.
3-Learning to analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments, and points of view:Students will demonstrate the application of human dimension frameworks to suggest possible solutions for current natural resource management concerns.
Readings:
There is no required text for this class. All readings will be available on the Canvas system.
Lectures:
Weekly PowerPoint lectures will be posted. The lectures are not intended to be a complete source of information, but rather a compliment to the readings. Lectures will include questions to consider while reading the assigned articles or chapters for that week. I recommend you review the lecture slides first (be sure to take notice of the “notes” sections on each slide) in order to see if there are any questions to consider during the reading, then complete the assigned readings, and then return to the lecture if necessary before completing the weekly quiz.
Graded Work
Total points for all graded work = 1,000 points
Quizzes – (10 points x 15 weeks = 150 points, Due weekly)
“No pressure quizzes” will be due each week. The quizzes are titled, “no pressure quizzes” because they can be taken an unlimited number of times and with an “open book”, but in order to receive credit for the quizzes (they are graded on an all-or-nothing basis), all answers must be correct. The purpose of these quizzes is to foster complete understanding and comprehension of the important aspects of the assigned readings.
Discussions – (50 points per 2-week block x 7.5 blocks = 375 points)
The success of this course will be based largely on your contributions. Each of you possesses a large amount of unique land management knowledge. You are expected to contribute to the creation of a group learning process by participating in discussions about readings and other topics. You will be required to post at least five thoughtful comments (three of the posts must be replies to other posts) everytwoweeks to ongoing discussion topics. The discussions will be due in six two-week blocks, and one three-week block (the three-week block is the last three weeks). The first two-week discussion block is due at 11:59PM on Sunday, January 18, and discussions will then be due on the following Sundays: 2-1, 2-15, 3-1, 3-22, 4-5, and Monday 4-27.
Visit a Protected Area – (100 points)
Visit a protected area of any kind (natural, cultural, urban, historical, etc.), and write up a summary report answering associated questions. See assignment sheet for more details. Due February 1, at 11:59PM.
Survey Exercise – (50 points)
This assignment is intended to introduce students to the uses and limitations of survey research. It is also intended as a brief introduction to the subject of survey formulation and application. See assignment sheet for more details. Due March 22, at 11:59PM.
Research Project Proposal – (325 points total)
The Research Project Proposal assignment will be completed in six steps. Step 1: Your research question and a brief description is due Sunday, February 8; Step 2: Your Introduction is due Sunday, March 1 at 11:59PM (75 points); Step 3: The Methods section of your paper is due Sunday, March 29 at 11:59PM (50 points); Step 4: Rough drafts are due Sunday, April 12 at 11:59PM (75 points); Step 5: Review of a classmate’s rough draft is due Sunday, April 19 at 11:59PM (25 points); Step 6: Final drafts are due Friday, May 1 at 11:59PM (100 points). See assignment sheet for more details.
Course Policies and Expectations
Assignment Submission
Assignments will be turned in electronically via Canvas (preferred) or email().
Writing and Grammar
Competent writing skills are imperative in nearly every sector of the working world. Consequently, written work is expected to be concise, organized, and with minimal errors. Grammar will be a criterion for grading on all assigned written material. American Psychological Association (APA) format should be used on all assignments with respect to works cited and organization of assignments (don’t worry about cover pages or table of contents and things like that). The Purdue Online Writing Lab offers an excellent APA how-to website (
Late Work
Unless otherwise stated, all assignments must be received by 11:59PM on the day they are due to receive full credit. Late work will not be accepted.
Questions / Concerns
I will always find time to assist students for any reason that is remotely related to class. Please talk to me during the semester if you are feeling stuck, unclear about a topic, concerned about your grade, dreaming of skipping class work to go climbing, skiing, etc. Do not wait until the end of the semester to contact me if you are having difficulties early on.
Course Outline
Topic / Reading / AssignmentWeek 1 / Conservation / Preservation issues / American Sportsmen, Intro and Chapter 1; Parks Paradox; Wilderness and the Am. Mind, Chapter 10
Week 2 / Wilderness issues / Windshield Wilderness; The Trouble with Wilderness; No-Rescue Wilderness; Public Viewpoint of Wilderness / Discussion due
Week 3 / Recreation use and users: The human dimension / Manning, Chapter 2; Estimating Visitor Use in Yosemite
Week 4 / The recreation demand hierarchy / The Nature of Values; A Value-Attitude Behavior Model / Discussion due
Visit a Protected Area
Week 5 / Recreation psychometrics: The satisfaction model / Manning, Chapter 5 / Research Question
Week 6 / Norms / EaglyChaiken, 1993; Manning, 2003; Stewart & Cole, 2001 / Discussion due
Week 7 / Carrying capacity issues / Becker et al., 1984; Cole et al. 2005; Haas, 2004; Haas, Wells, 2007
Week 8 / Recreation management frameworks / Cole, McCool, 1998; Laven et al., 2005; Lessard, 1998; Nilsen, Taylor, 1997; Wang et al., 2000 / Discussion due
Introduction
Week 9 / User-conflicts / Manning, CH 9; Andereck et al., 2001; Morgan et al., 2007
(3/9 – 3/13) / SPRING BREAK / (No Quiz)
Week 10 / Survey research / Schaeffer, Presser, 2003 / Discussion due
Survey Assignment
Week11 / Behavior change strategies / Cialdini, 1990, 1991; Fishbein, Manfredo, 1992 / Methods
Week 12 / Litigation / Merced River Plan / Discussion due
Week 13 / Environmental justice / Local community impacts / Allen, 2007; Evans & Kantrowitz, 2002 / Rough Draft
Week 14 / Decision making: Science and policy / Haas, 2003; Poutat et al., 2010 / Review of Rough Draft
Week 15 / Diffusion of ideas / To be determined / Final Draft; Discussion due
Summary of Points
Assignment / Due Date (11:59PM) / PointsQuizzes / Every Sunday / 10 x 15 = 150
Discussions / Sundays: 1-18, 2-1, 2-15, 3-1, 3-22, 4-5, and Monday, 4-27 / 5 x 5 x 15 = 375
Visit a Protected Area / Sunday, 2-1 / 100
Research Question / Sunday, 2-8 / 25
Introduction / Sunday, 3-1 / 75
Survey Assignment / Sunday, 3-22 / 50
Methods / Sunday, 3-29 / 50
Draft / Sunday, 4-12 / 75
Review of Draft / Sunday, 4-19 / 25
Final Draft / Friday, 5-1 / 75
Total Points / 1,000
Grades
Grade / Percent / PointsA / 89.5 – 100% / 8,950 – 1,000
B / 79.5 – 89.49% / 7,950 – 8,949
C / 69.5 – 79.49% / 6,950 – 7,949
D - F / 69.49% / Let’s chat…
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