Environmental Policy, PAF 451
Fall 2015
Professor Allan Mazur
Class Tuesday, 9:30-12:15, 425 Crouse-Hinds amazur@syr.edu
Home phone: 445-1970
Office: 435 Crouse-Hinds (x9310)
Hours: Tu 8:30-9:30, or by appointment
Overview: In this small, informal seminar we will discuss selected environmental problems
important to the U.S., the global community, and the third world, with special attention to energy
and food issues. We consider solutions to these problems and how public policy is implemented.
This course is guided by seven assumptions with which you may or may not agree (and need not
agree to get an A):
1. Environmental problems exist only because humans regard them as worrisome. (If
there were no humans, there would be no environmental problems.)
2. Excepting energy (and regional water) consumption, U.S. environmental problems are
minor compared to the third world’s environmental problems.
3. Human poverty is an important facet of the global “environmental” problem, and its
alleviation is central to any solution.
4. The global environment must be activity managed (i.e., it cannot be left wholly
natural), and our management goal should not be infinite sustainability.
5. We require objective science to understand and manage these problems. Science
should not be used polemically.
6. The central solution is to improve efficiency of resource use, thereby producing
equitable wealth while reducing environmental degradation and other costs.
7. The U.S. and China are of primary importance, but for very different reasons.
We begin with energy, perhaps the most pressing U.S. environmental problem and
among the most important global problems. The production of food is highly energy intensive,
so we will look at the American food supply.
Standards: Most of your final grade will be based on three quizzes plus a group project,
equally weighted. I will alter this average as much as one letter grade up or down, depending on
your participation, iicluding informed discussion of each week’s assigned reading. If you are ill
or have another good excuse for missing an exam, you may arrange a makeup only if you contact
me within one week. Students with special needs because of a disability should discuss these
with me at the beginning of the term. To do well in this class, you should assume 3-4 hours of
reading per week.
Honesty is essential. Any form of cheating or misrepresentation will bring dire consequences.
Books are available at the SU Bookstore:
A. Mazur, Energy and Electricity in Industrial Nations, 2013 (available on Blackboard).
J. Goodell, Big Coal, 2006.
M. Pollan, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, 2006.
Mazur, PAF 451
Schedule of Topics and Assignments
DATE
Sep 1
TOPIC
Introduction
TO BE READ/DONE
Climate and coal
Goodell, pp. xi-96
15
“
Goodell, pp. 97-172
22
Quiz #1
Goodell, pp. 173-260
29
The Big Picture
Mazur, Preface and Part I
Oct 6
Energy sources
Mazur, Part II and III
13
Technical controversies
Mazur, Part IV
20
Quiz #2
Mazur, Part V
27
Food
Pollan, pp. 1-108
Nov 3
“
Pollan, pp, 123-207
10
“
Pollan, pp. 208-262
17
Quiz #3
Define group project
8
24
Dec 1
8
-- Thanksgiving Break -Federal environmental policy
Work on group project
Complete group project
Submit group report by Dec. 12
The Syracuse University Academic Integrity Policy holds students accountable for the integrity of the work
they submit. Students should be familiar with the Policy and know that it is their responsibility to learn
about instructor and general academic expectations with regard to proper citation of sources in written
work. The policy also governs the integrity of work submitted in exams and assignments as well as the
veracity of signatures on attendance sheets and other verifications of participation in class activities. Serious
sanctions can result from academic dishonesty of any sort. For complete policy, see
http://academicintegrity.syr.edu
Students who are in need of disability-related academic accommodations must register with the Office of
Disability Services (ODS), 804 University Avenue, Room 309, 315-443-4498. Students with authorized
disability-related accommodations should provide a current Accommodation Authorization Letter from
ODS to the instructor and review those accommodations with the instructor. Accommodations, such as
exam administration, are not provided retroactively; therefore, planning for accommodations as early as
possible is necessary. For further information, see the ODS website, Office of Disability Services
http://disabilityservices.syr.edu/