SUST 2000: Introduction to Sustainability
Fall 2012
236 Parker Hall
3 credit hours
TR 3:30-4:45 PM
Co-instructors:
Prof. John J. Pittari, Jr., Associate Professor, Community Planning, 105 Dudley Hall,
Dr. Dennis DeVries, Professor, Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, 311 Swingle Hall,
Course Description and Objectives: This course will introduce students to the interdisciplinary study of sustainability through a combination of lectures, readings, media presentations, discussions, and exercises. The course is specifically intended to:
· provide students with a broad-based, multi-disciplinary introduction to sustainability;
· introduce students to systems thinking, particularly as related to issues of sustainability;
· help students learn to think critically about the interconnectedness of natural, technological, cultural and economic issues surrounding sustainability; and
· encourage students to develop an appreciation for the local, national and global issues concerning sustainability.
Readings and Reference Materials: Most readings will come from The Post Carbon Reader: Managing the 21st Century's Sustainability Crises, edited by Richard Heinberg and Daniel Lerch [PCR]. The book can be previewed at http://www.postcarbon.org/reader -- many of the individual chapters we will be reading are also available there for download, should you choose to complete your reading in that manner rather than purchasing a hard copy of the entire book. Other readings will be assigned over the course of the semester, and will be made available through Blackboard.
Course Requirements and Evaluation:
Exam I 100 points
Exam II 100 points
Final Exam 150 points
Ecological Footprint exercise 40 points
Food Diary exercise 40 points
Water Diary exercise 40 points
Energy/Consumption exercise 40 points
Transportation/Mobility exercise 40 points
Attendance/Participation 50 points
TOTAL 600 points
Final Grades will be determined on a 10-point scale (A = 90-100%, B = 80-89%, C = 70-79%, D = 60-69%, F = less than 60%).
Extra credit will be awarded for attendance at selected events during the semester (campus-wide lectures, films, etc.; we will announce possible items throughout the semester). Records of extra credit will be used to decide borderline course grades.
Exams will consist of multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, and essay questions. You do not need a blue book.
CLASS POLICIES:
E-Mail and Telephone Communications: Auburn University has recognized e-mail as the official form of communication. It is imperative that students in this class regularly check their TigerMail accounts for communications about the course. If the nature of a student e-mail to the instructors is too complex to answer electronically, you will be asked to make an appointment at a mutually convenient time.
Late Assignments and Make-up Exams: Assignment due dates are rigid unless you have an excused absence. If you anticipate a problem turning an assignment in on time, please discuss it with us in advance. Make-up exams will be all essay format and will only be given with prior permission (please notify us at least one week in advance) or an excuse from the infirmary or a medical doctor on letterhead (and including specific information about the illness, time of appointment, etc.). All other circumstances where an exam is missed will result in a zero grade for the exam.
Attendance and Behavior: Attendance is mandatory; and assumes that you have read the required materials in advance, are awake, and participate. More than two (2) unexcused absences will result in the lowering of your final course grade by one full letter grade per each additional unexcused absence during the semester. Participation will be evaluated based upon your preparedness for class and the frequency and quality of your comments. Cell phones must be silenced and should not be used during class, for any reason. Laptop or tablet computers may be used only to facilitate class participation; students who engage such devices for other uses will be asked to turn off all devices during class. This class is designed to include a good amount of discussion, and you will have many opportunities to share your opinions. However, you are expected to show respect for your classmates, instructors, and guest speakers by not talking amongst yourselves when we are not engaged in group discussion.
Honesty: Auburn University expects students to complete their academic work with honesty and integrity. The Academic Honesty Code can be found online in the Student Policy eHandbook -- it contains a list of those actions that are considered to be cheating and the possible consequences. Violations of the Academic Honesty Code will not be tolerated in this course.
Students with Disabilities: Any student needing special accommodations should inform the instructors during the first week of class and contact the Program for Students with Disabilities in Haley Center 1244, 844-2099 (V/TT) or email: .
Course Schedule:
Week 1 8.16 R review syllabus, introduce course, and discuss Values on the Line exercise
Week 2 8.21 T what is sustainability? [Nanette Chadwick]
8.23 R discuss lecture + reading [PCR ch. 1 and 2]; assign Ecological Footprint exercise
Week 3 8.28 T ecosystem services [Dennis Devries]
8.30 R discuss lecture + reading [PCR chapter 8], view “Why Trees” video, and discuss
Ecological Footprint exercise (due); assign Food Diary exercise
Week 4 9.4 T systems thinking [Lisa Kensler]
9.6 R discuss lecture + reading [systems article] and Food Diary exercise (due)
Week 5 9.11 T food systems [Leonard Bell]
9.13 R view food video
Week 6 9.18 T discuss lecture + video + reading [food article]
9.20 R examination #1
Week 7 9.25 T water: the big issues [Dennis Devries] + assign Water Diary exercise
9.27 R campus water tour
Week 8 10.2 T view “Chattahoochee” video + discuss reading [PCR chapter 7]
10.4 R discuss lecture + video + Water Diary exercise (due)
Week 9 10.9 T energy I [Sushil Bhavnani] + assign Energy/Consumption exercise
10.11 R discuss lecture + reading [energy article]; view Story of Stuff video
Week 10 10.16 T energy II: biofuels [David Bransby]
10.18 R discuss lecture + reading [energy article] + Energy/Consumption exercise (due)
Week 11 10.23 T campus energy tour
10.25 R examination #2
Week 12 10.30 T transportation I [John Pittari] + assign Transportation/Mobility exercise
11.1 R view “Designing Healthy Communities” video [PCR chapters 23, 25 and 27]
Week 13 11.6 T transportation II [John Pittari]
11.8 R discuss lectures + video + reading + Transportation/Mobility exercise (due)
Week 14 11.13 T climate change [Matt Williams]
11.15 R discuss lecture + reading [climate change article]
Week 15 11.20 T NO CLASS [thanksgiving break]
11.22 R NO CLASS [thanksgiving break]
Week 16 11.27 T hope for the future: day to day sustainable living [Nathan Hensley]
11.29 R discuss lecture + reading [assigned article]; course wrap-up
AU eValuate opens (through 12.2.12)
12.5 W final exam (4:00 - 6:30 PM)