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Environmental Issues in Latin America
and the Caribbean
ESCI 6233
Fall 2007
Prof. Aldemaro Romero
Arkansas State University
1. Course Objectives
1.1. Introduction: Through readings,
discussions, guest speakers, written and oral
presentations, students will develop a clear understanding of the underlying
causes and long term implications of some environmental problems in Latin
America and the Caribbean, both today and in the past. They include, but are not limited to,
deforestation, poverty, biological impoverishment, pollution, and
environmental history and justice. Taking advantage of the diverse academic
backgrounds of the student participants, this course brings together the
knowledge, perspectives, and insights of the natural and social sciences,
and the humanities.
1.2. Methodology: This course is based on readings on advanced
research papers on environmental issues that affect countries south to the
U.S. border with Mexico, including those of the Caribbean basin. Basic
knowledge of Environmental Sciences is expected.
We will meet once a week and will discuss one or more papers on a
particular issue in depth. I expect students to have read all material
pertaining to that day and get engaged on a lively discussion on the
issue. My role as instructor is to make sure that the discussion covers
all relevant points while challenging each individual student using a
Socratic method of critical thinking.
1.3. Expected Outcome: By the end of the semester, you should have
developed an in-depth knowledge of the major environmental issues
affecting Latin America and the Caribbean.
2. Instructor
Aldemaro Romero, (B.S./ Master: University of Barcelona, Spain, 1977;
Ph.D.: University of Miami, 1984). Chair and Professor at the Department
of Biological Sciences at Arkansas State University. I have been working
on environmental issues since the late 60's and have published numerous
papers and books in this area in the U.S., Latin America, and Europe.
3. Textbook
Romero, A. & S. West
(Eds.). 2005. Environmental Issues in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Dordrecht: Springer.
4. Other Resources
4.1. Library Resources: ASU's Library has a variety of books
and journals dealing with the topics discussed in this course. If you
cannot find some of those books and articles, they can be obtained through
Inter Library Loan.
4.2. Computer Resources: All officially enrolled students have
access to ASU's email system. You can send us email to ask
questions or to engage in discussions with your colleagues. I frequently
use email to make announcements to the class, so you should check your
account periodically.
Also, you should subscribe to the following environmental news
services:
Environment News Service (ENS). To subscribe send a message to editor@ens-news.com
The EnviroLink News Service. To subscribe, send an e-mail to: listproc@envirolink.org
with: subscribe environews FIRSTNAME LASTNAME as the only text in the body
of the message. We will be discussing some of the news in class. This will
allow you to keep up-to-date with the latest developments in environmental
issues. Please avail yourself of this opportunity.
Finally, there is the Environmental Virtual Library that can be
accessed via www.cnie.org. This is an initiative of the Committee for the
National Institute for the Environment of which Macalester College is a
charter member.
DAILY GRIST. To subscribe to DAILY GRIST, go to http://www.gristmagazine.com/grist/daily/
or send a blank email message to:
dailygrist-subscribe@egroups.com
5. Academic Approach
I give the best of myself in each of the classes in order to offer you
the opportunity to maximize your chances of learning lasting lessons in
Environmental Studies in Latin America and the Caribbean. I consider myself motivational,
challenging, and enthusiastic. I greatly appreciate students who come to
me for further discussion and inquiry. Please do not hesitate to see me.
At the same time, I have high expectations for your personal growth as a
professional and your success as a student in this semester. Please make
sure that you come to see me with any problem, apprehension, or questions.
I will do my best to ensure that you learn the maximum and that your
effort is rewarded with good grades. I take a great deal of pride in how
much our students learn and on the well-earned grades they receive.
Don’t be fooled by the fact that there is no memorization or
memory-based exams. This course will require a lot of time and effort on
your part. That means that you have to learn how to organize yourself and
budget your time appropriately.
6. Office Hours
I try to make myself as available as possible. I will be available to
you in my office either by walk-in or by appointment. You can also discuss
problems with me via e-mail. Please do not save questions until just the
last minute. Room Number: LSE 202. Phone Number: (870) 972-3082;
e-mail: aromero@astate.edu
7. Evaluation Criteria
You will be evaluated on two major grounds:
A) Class Performance. I will be watching you in class. I expect you
to be part of the discussion by both asking and answering questions.
Because of the small class size, if you have not done your readings and
thinking about the material, it will show and I will take note of that.
Don’t be afraid to ask me "how am I doing?" This portion will count 75%
of the grade.
B) Written Assignment. By November 10 (Friday), I expect you to hand me the first draft of a paper on a topic of
your choosing on environmental issues in Latin America. You need to
consult with me and get my approval on the paper topic and methodology to
be used for you paper early on. Final approval of the topic by me should
take place by August 28 (Monday). Some general recommendations:
a) choose a topic as specific as possible; b) length is secondary to me; I
prefer a very well-written 5-page paper than a 60 page paper full of
garbage; c) consult with me at every step of the process.
This assignment and its presentation is worth 25% of the grade.
As a guide, the average grade distribution is as follows:
% Grade
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
Below 60 F
Incomplete grades will be given only in rare cases where the student
suffers from some type of physical disability or illness or other
emergency that prevents the completion of the course. Medical
documentation will be required.
8. Attendance
Attendance is required and expected at all sessions. Tardiness will not
be excused.
9. Academic Honesty
To ensure the highest standards of academic honesty and ethical
behavior, the Code of Academic Integrity will be strictly enforced. In
other words, do not even think about any behavior that may be construed as
academic dishonesty, plagiarism, misrepresentation, or cheating. Academic
dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
A. Receiving help from others in work to be submitted, if contrary to
the stated rules of the course.
B. Plagiarizing, that is, taking and passing off as one's own the
ideas, writings or work of another, without citing the source. This is
true whether the material used is only a brief excerpt or an entire
paper or article and whether the original source is the work of another
student or not.
C. Submitting work from another course.
D. Stealing examinations or course material.
E. Falsifying data and/or records.
F. Assisting anyone to do any of the above.
The Code of Academic Integrity protects the honest student, the
reputation of ASU, and the value of degrees earned here. We
should all support it, both by personal honesty in all things and by
refusing to tolerate dishonesty in others. Any graded work must be
performed completely unaided unless teamwork has been specifically
authorized and even in those circumstances, no aid should be received from
outside the team. Students should report to me any suspected cheating. If
you have any questions about your assignment, plagiarism, or the code of
Academic Integrity, please contact me.
10. Withdrawals
You are solely responsible for fulfilling all necessary steps to
formally withdraw from this course as well for meeting all deadlines
established by the College.
11. Students with Special Instructional Needs
If you have any special needs related to this course, please let us
know as soon as possible so we can address those needs.
COURSE OUTLINE
Week 1: Introduction. Pearl Exploitation in Cubagua
Week 2: . In the Land of the Mermaid: How Culture, not Ecology,
Influenced Marine Mammal Exploitation in the Southeastern Caribbean
Week 3: Conserving the Pines of Guadelupe and Cedros Islands,
Mexico: An International Collaboration
Week 4: Biodiversity Conservation in Bolivia: History, Trends,
and Challenges
Week 5: Peasants, Environment, and Maize "Modernization" in
Zacapoaxtla, Mexico, 1974-82
Week 6: Planting Trees, Building Democracy: Sustainable Community
Forestry in Mexico
Week 7: Market-Based Policies for Pollution Control in Latin
America
Week 8: A Deeper Solution for the International Commons: Building
an Effort Control Regime for the Eastern Tropical Pacific Tuna
Fishery
Week 9: Eco-Labeling in Latin America: Providing a Scientific
Foundation for Consumer Confidence in Market-Based Conservation
Strategies
Week 10: Public Prosecutors and Environmental Protection in
Brazil
Week 11: Democracy by Proxy: Environmental NGOs and Policy Change
in Mexico
Week 12: Economic Progress in the Countryside, Forests, and
Public Policy: Some Lessons from Ecuador and Chile
Week 13: Environmental Implications of Cuba's Development
Strategy during the Special Period
Week 4: Student presentations
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Disclaimer: The information contained in this syllabus is as
accurate as possible but may be subject to change with reasonable advance
notice. The schedule and content of lectures and assignments may be
changed at the discretion of the instructor upon oral notification in
class. Changes may involve additions, deletions, substitutions, or changes
in sequence or due date.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS CONTAINED IN THIS
SYLLABUS COULD CAUSE YOU TO GET A POOR GRADE IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES IN
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
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