Course Outline

Environmental Policy: Technology, Business & Government
Course Outline
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Belarusian Daisy

(Select a Week or Scroll Down)
Week:

Societal Priorities & Environmental Strategies (Week 1,2)

TOPIC

READINGS

History of Environmentalism
(ecological consciousness, shifting priorities)
        Policy Making and Stakeholder Advocacy
Policy Process
Policy Criteria
        Externalized Environmental Costs
         Cross Generational Actions
(remediation costs, assigning liability)
    Sustainability Issues
Governmental Roles
(legislative mandates, budgetary constraints, politics)
        Environmental Ethics
        Global Viewpoints

Buchholz, Chap. 1
Cohen, Chap. 1, 2
Morgan, Chap. 1, 2
Hawken, pp. ix to xv;
Chap. 1
Vig, Chap. 1-3
Smith, Chap. 2,11
Fiorino, Chap. 1, 2

Concepts & Principles of Ecology (Week 3)

TOPIC	READINGS
Ecosystem Theory and Major Ecological Principles Ecological Research and Environmental Protection Energy Flow and Efficiency Pathways and Fates of Environmental Pollutants Biodiversity and Sustainability Environmental Ethics Global Viewpoints & International Environmental Issues Guest Editorial-Three Gorges Dam and Endangered Redwoods	Buchholz, Chap. 2 Morgan, Chap. 3,4 Hawken, Chap. 2,4 Newton, Chap. 5 Smith, Chap. 10, Vig, Chap. 13,

Public Policy & the Environment (Week 4)

TOPIC	READINGS
Public Policy Process - U.S. model Executive, Legislative and Judicial Roles The Legislative Process The Legal Structure and Regulatory Framework U.S. Federal Government Branches of State Government & Agencies Local Government - Structure & Oversight Processes	Buchholz, Chap. 3,4 Cohen, Chap. 3,4 Kubasek, Chap. 9 Newton, Chap. 1,2 Vig, Chap. 10 Vig, Chap. 6,

Major Environmental Problems (Week 5,6)

TOPIC

READINGS

Global Atmospheric Pollution (greenhouse gases, stratospheric ozone, acid deposition, mercury transport)
Ocean Pollution (fisheries decline, coral reef damage)
         Toxic Waste Accumulation (health and safety issues, cost of cleanup)
          Natural Resource Loss & Degradation (deforestation, soil erosion, water pollution)
         Improper Land Use Practices
(loss of wetlands, erosion and sedimentation)
        Overpopulation
(malnutrition, poverty, disease, desertification)

Buchholz, Chaps. 5-11
Case Study, p. 413
Cohen, Chap. 5,6
Morgan, Chap. 14,16,18
Hawken, Chap. 3,5,12
Newton, Chap. 7,8

Intervention Techniques - Pollution Cleanup/Avoidance (Week 7,8)

TOPIC	READINGS
Environmental Technology (pollution cleanup and/or avoidance Computerized Modeling and Simulation GIS Mapping Techniques Groundwater Monitoring and Cleanup Technologies Building Design Modifications for Conserving Energy and Improving Health JIT and Energy Implications Materials Management (Reuse, Recycle, Disassemble) Waste Exchange Networks Guest Editorial on Bioremediation - Dan McNally	Buchholz, Case Study, p. 416 & p. 428 Portney, Chap. 7,8 Morgan, Chap. 11,12,19 Hawken, Chap. 6,7,8,9 Watson, Case 17

Trends in Environmental Law (Week 9,10)

TOPIC

READINGS

Major U.S. Federal Laws
Issues Surrounding the Crafting of These Laws
(see lecture notes for specific laws)
Right to Know Provisions
"Polluter Pays" Concept
Reauthorization and Amendment Process
State Oversight (e.g., Wetlands Protection; Coastal Zone Management Plans)
Local Ordinances (e.g., Land Use Zones, Aquifer Protection)
International Environmental Conventions & Agreements
(Lecture Outline)
Selected Government Websites - Environmental Laws

Kubasek, Chap. 4,5,6,7,8
Newton, Chap. 3
Hawken, 10,11
Watson, Case 1

Dimensions of Sustainable Development (Week 11,12)

TOPIC	READINGS
Closed System Materials Management Waste Minimization and Toxics Reduction (reuse, recycling, resource recovery) Effective Environmental/Economic Strategies (Ecoloeconomics) Integrated Resources Management (IRM) Model Principles of Natural Capitalism Natural Step Approach	Buchholz, Chap. 14 Cohen, Chap. 7 Newton, Chap. 6,9 Hawken, Chap. 15 Fiorino, Chap. 4 Selected Web Sites

Strategies for Business (Week 13)

TOPIC	READINGS
Optimizing Productivity (safer workplaces, energy efficient manufacturing) Risk Management Techniques Reducing Environmental Liability/Embracing Sustainability Avoiding Litigation Marketing the Green Image Achieving ISO certifications	Buchholz, Chap. 12-13 Case Study, p. 419 & p. 423 Kubasek, Chap. 2 Newton, Chap. 4 Hawken, Chap. 13,14 Fiorino, Chap. 4 Kinsella, Chap. 4-7

Strategies for Society (Week 14)

TOPIC	READINGS
Citizen Advocacy Groups Private/Public Partnerships Key Environmental Organizations (U.S. and International) Overcoming Obstacles to Effective Communication Conflict Resolution Special Presentation: Pioneers in Environmental Advocacy - Making a Difference	Buchholz, Case Study, p. 431 Kubasek, Chap. 9 Newton, Epilogue Morgan, pp.E1-E8 Selections TBA

Policy Strategies for the Next Decade (Week 15)

TOPIC	READINGS
Sustainable Development New Technology Resource Conservation Rethinking Government Local and Regional Planning Corporations as Global Citizens Societal Ethics Center for Sustainable Business Practices	Cohen, Chap. 8 All Course Readings

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Copyright: Gaytha A. Langlois, June 2000
If you have comments or suggestions, email me at langlois@bryant.edu
Updated January 21, 2008