Senior Seminar in Environmental Studies

This is the capstone experience of the Environmental Studies majors. As such we want to combine two essential portions of what to be an Environmental Studies person is all about: 1) the capability to analyze environmental issues from an interdisciplinary perspective; and, 2) to be able to apply the knowledge you have acquired as an environmental specialist. To that end this course will have two facets: class discussion and a "field" project.

For the first we will use the book "Taking Sides. Clashing Views on Controversial Environmental Issues" by Theodore D. Goldfarb. For every session the class will be divided into four teams. One team of three will take one point of view on an assigned reading and another group of three will take the opposite stance. Each group will read and research the topic in question. They will select one spokesperson who will defend a particular point of view. The two spokespeople will defend their point of view before a panel of another group of three students who would have researched the topic as well and, without necessarily taking sides, will challenge the each spokesperson’s position by taking turns in asking poignant questions. The fourth team -of two students which will not participate in the debate, will bring lead a discussion after the debate on a particular issue related to that day’s discussion.

The second will consist on an individual "field" project related to an Environmental Assessment. The details will be discussed in class.

Also, we will have a number of invited speakers coming to class and we will be discussing some of the videos shown at the EnviroThursdays.

Aldemaro Romero

As you have probably noticed by now, I am an "e-mail" person. I hate to use paper but at the same time I like to keep in touch with my students. I will continue to send you e-mails related to a number of job opportunities as well as about next class activities. All officially enrolled students have access to the E-mail system. Please check your email regularly for class announcements. You can also send me email to ask me questions or to engage in discussions with your colleagues. Please avail yourself of this opportunity.

I give the best of myself in each one of my classes in order to offer you the opportunity to maximize your chances of learning lasting lessons in science. I consider myself motivational, challenging, and enthusiastic. I greatly appreciate students who come to me for further discussion and inquiring. Please do not hesitate to see me during my office hours or by appointment to discuss the subject as well any problem that may arise regarding class schedule and grading. At the same time, I have high expectations for your personal growth and success as a student in this semester. If you cannot figure something out, I expect you to see me so we can seek a solution to the problem. Note that this is a four-credit course. Your total effort per week should average nine hours. This will include approximately three hours of class time and at least six hours of outside work.

My policy regarding office hours is that if I am in my office, I am available. If you need to discuss something that requites a lot of time, please make an appointment.

Room Number: Olin-Rice, 249

Phone Number: (651) 696-8157

Email address: romero@macalester.edu

I will give a total of 200 points distributed as follows:

100 points for class presentations/participation

100 points for project

The grading scale is as follows:

Incomplete grades will be given only in rare cases where the student suffers from some type of physical disability or illness that prevents the completion of the second half (that is after the first exam) of the semester. Medical documentation will be required.

Attendance is expected at all sessions. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. I can be flexible if you are occasionally late and I will give you an "attended" mark for that day. However, regular tardiness will not be excused.

To ensure the highest standards of academic honesty and ethical behavior, the Honor Code 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:

Cheating on any of the course assignments.

Receiving help from others in work to be submitted, if contrary to the stated rules of the course.

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 some publication.

Submitting work from another course.

Stealing course material.

Falsifying data and/or records.

Assisting anyone to do any of the above.

The honor code protects the honest student, the reputation of Macalester College, 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. Students must report to me any suspected cheating. If you have any questions about your assignment, plagiarism, or the Honor Code, please contact me.

COURSE OUTLINE