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Skidmore College
815 North Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Michael Marx
Associate Professor, English
(518) 580 - 5173
Office: Palamountain 320
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Carol Goody
(518) 580-5948
Office: Dana 172
ES 100 Sample Schedule
This is a sample schedule. If you are enrolled in ES 100, please refer to your course syllabus.
| Lecture date | Topic | Reading | Assignment |
| Week 1, Thursday | Introduction to the course and major environmental issues | ||
| Week 2, Tuesday | Sustainability and the Tragedy of the Commons | Text - Chapters 1 & 2 Kingsolver: Patience of a Saint Hardin: Tragedy of the Commons | |
| Week 2, Thursday | Ecology and the Interconnectedness of Natural Systems | Text: pages 103-108, 156-172, and 183-206 | Exercise 1: Ecological Footprint |
| Week 3, Tuesday | Understanding the Basis for Environmental Policy Discussion and Debate A: Which comes first: the environment or the economy? | Text: Chapters 3 and 14 Discussion and Debate A readings | Preparation for Discussion and Debate A |
| Week 3, Thursday | Literature Search for Environmentally Related Topics; Peer Abroad Panel; Research Opportunities in ES | Case Study Issue | |
| Week 4, Tuesday | The Human Population: Growth, Size, and Distribution | Text: pages 131-139 and Chapter 8 | |
| Week 4, Thursday | Environmental Impacts of Urbanization Discussion and Debate B: Should governments implement policies to limit birth rates? | Text: Chapter 13 readings for Discussion and Debate B | Exercise 2: Library Scavenger Hunt Preparation for Discussion and Debate B |
| Week 5, Tuesday | Energy and the Environment: Part I | Text: Chapter 19 | |
| Week 5, Thursday | Energy and the Environment: Part II Climate Change | Text: Chapter 18 National Geographic: The Big Thaw, June 2007 Audio: Elizabeth Kolbert Podcast | Exercise 3: Energy Use |
| Week 6, Tuesday | Energy Issues and Alternatives | Text: Chapter 20 | Case Study Question |
| Week 6, Thursday | Energy Issues and Alternatives Discussion and Debate C: Is it time to revive nuclear power? | Text: Chapter 21 Audio: Amory Lovins Podcast Discussion and Debate C Readings | Preparation for Discussion and Debate C |
| Week 7, Tuesday | Sustaining Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems | Text: pages 117-118, 126-128, 141-144, and Chapter 11 | |
| Week 7, Thursday | Biodiversity and Conservation Biology | Text: pages 354, 359 Kingsolver: A Forest's Last Stand | Discussion and Debate Peer Evaluations |
| Week 8, Tuesday | Exam I | Preparation for Exam | |
| Week 8, Thursday | Food Production and the Environment | Text: Chapters 9 and 10 | |
| Week 9, Tuesday | Food Production and the Environment | Pollan: Power Steer | |
| Week 9, Thursday | Food Production and Policy Discussion and Debate D: Is genetic engineering the answer to hunger? | Kingsolver: A Fist in the Eye of God LaDuke: Ricekeepers Discussion and Debate D readings Activity: "Making Decisions about DNA Technology: Golden Rice" from Text Chapter 1 | Exercise 4: Food Consumption Preparation for Discussion and Debate D |
| Week 10, Tuesday | Fisheries | National Geographic: The Global Fish Crisis, April 2007 | Case Study Outline |
| Week 10, Thursday | Discussion and Debate E: Should DDT be used to safeguard human health and food production? | National Geographic: Malaria | Preparation for Discussion and Debate E |
| Week 11, Tuesday | Our Air and Atmosphere | Text: Chapter 17 | |
| Week 11, Thursday | Discussion and Debate F: Can pollution rights trading effectively control environmental problems? | readings for Discussion and Debate F | Preparation for Discussion and Debate F |
| Week 12, Tuesday | Water Resources and Water Pollution | Text: Chapters 15 and 16 | |
| Week 12, Thursday | Solid and Hazardous Waste | Text: Chapter 22 | Discussion and Debate Peer Evaluations |
| Week 13, Tuesday | Sustainable Solutions | Text: Chapter 23 | |
| Week 13, Thursday | Sustainable Solutions Video: 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Winner: Wangari Muta Matthai for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy, and peace | Wangari readings | Case Study Final Paper |
| Week 14, Tuesday | Class Wrap-Up | Exercise 5: The Stupidest Gift Ever | |
| Week 14, Thursday | Exam II | Preparation for Exam II | |
| Exam Period during Finals Week | Case Study Presentations | Case Study Peer Evaluations |
