Seminar in Environmental Management
PAD 5632/7632 Fall 2005
Tuesdays 4:00 PM - 6:45 PM, North Classroom 1312
Graduate School of Public Affairs (GSPA)
University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center
Instructor:
Phone:
E-mail:
Office:
Office hours:
Dr. George Busenberg
(303) 556-5988
george.busenberg@cudenver.edu
Lawrence Street Center Room 500R
Mondays and Thursdays 11:30 AM – 1 PM, and by appointment.
Course Description
This course examines a series of case studies concerning major issues in environmental
management.
Required Texts
Layzer, Judith A. 2002. The Environmental Case: Translating Values into Policy. Washington,
DC: CQ Press.
Mazmanian, Daniel A. & Michael E. Kraft. 1999. Toward Sustainable Communities: Transition
and Transformations in Environmental Policy. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Assignments
The assignments for this course include a term paper on a topic of your choice in the field of
environmental management, a plan for your term paper, and a presentation based on your term
paper. The term paper explores a relevant topic in depth. The presentation summarizes your
term paper for the class, so we can learn from each other. The term paper plan allows me to give
you early feedback on the progress of your term paper. I will use these assignments to assess
your learning achievements in this class.
Assignments & Grading
Assignment
Term Paper Plan
Presentation
Class participation
Term paper
% Final Grade
20
20
10
50
Environmental Management (Fall 2005)
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Course Schedule
August 23. Introduction
August 30. Environmental Management and Sustainability (Layzer c. 1-2)
This section introduces the fundamentals of environmental management in America, and
examines the concept of sustainability.
September 6. Hazardous Materials Management (Layzer c. 3-4)
This section examines the management of hazardous materials at the Love Canal site in New
York, and the management of radioactive materials at the Rocky Flats site in Colorado.
September 13. Natural Resource Management (Layzer c. 5-6)
This section examines the management of grazing, mining, and drilling activities on public lands
in America, including the longstanding conflict over oil exploration and production in Alaska.
September 20. Forests and Wildfires (Layzer c. 7)
This section examines the management of forests and wildfires in America, including the
controversy over plans to protect the Northern Spotted Owl in the Pacific Northwest.
September 27. Common-Pool Resource Management at Sea (Layzer c. 8, 10)
This section examines the management of American fisheries, and the global challenges of
maritime environmental management.
October 4. Ecosystem Management and Habitat Conservation (Layzer c. 12-13)
This section examines the management of the Florida Everglades, and the use of habitat
conservation plans to protect ecosystems in Southern California.
October 11. Acid Rain and Climate Change (Layzer c. 9, 11)
This section examines the management of acid rain, and the threat of climate change.
October 18. New Directions in Environmental Management (Layzer c. 14, Mazmanian &
Kraft c. 1-2)
This section examines the historical evolution of American environmental management, and the
concept of sustainable communities. Guest lecture on the history of air quality management in
Denver.
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October 25. Transportation and Air Quality (Mazmanian & Kraft c. 3, 7)
This section examines the evolution of air pollution management in the Los Angeles Basin, and
the intersection between transportation and environmental policies.
November 1. The Urban Environment and Open Spaces (Mazmanian & Kraft c. 5-6)
This section examines the evolution of environmental management in major urban areas, and
attempts to preserve open space.
November 8. Clean Water in the Great Lakes Region (Mazmanian & Kraft c. 4, 8)
This section examines the management of water quality in the Great Lakes region.
November 15. Agriculture, Soils, and the Environment (Mazmanian & Kraft c. 9)
This section examines the sweeping environmental implications of agriculture (including soil
erosion and runoff) across the world.
November 22. Fall Break (no class)
November 29. Presentations
December 6. Presentations
Classroom Standards
My goal in this course is to create a constructive learning experience for every participating
student. Therefore, anyone participating in this course must refrain from actions that disrupt the
learning experience for others (use of cell phones, private conversations, etc.). This syllabus is
subject to change; all changes will be announced in class. Regular class attendance is necessary
for you to succeed in this course.
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