GEOG 440: Environmental Thought in Action
Faculty: Mark Stemen
Phone: 898-5428
Email: mstemen@csuchico.edu
Office: 541 Butte Hall
Office Hours: T 10-11, TR 1-2
W 5-6, 9-10, and by appt.
This seminar will integrate the various interdisciplinary curricular elements of
the Environmental Studies minor and provide students with an appreciation for
the interplay between the many interrelated dimensions—the scientific, the
social, the historical, and the humanistic—of the study of the environment.
Readings
Mark Stemen ed., Thought In Action CD
Objectives
Increase knowledge of important writings in environmental studies
Synthesize and reflect on the ideas and theories presented in other
environmental studies classes
Translate abstract thought into concrete action
Learn direct democracy skills
Assignments
Eleven Journals (two pages)
Election participation
Final Journal (three pages)
Total Possible
440 points
300 points
60 points
800 points
1
Since writing is thinking on paper, we will spend a majority of the class focusing
on your written work. Each week I require you to write a two-page journal on
that week’s reading assignment. I comment on these journals, but I do not grade
them. If it appears to me that you have read the material and spent some time
thinking about it, you receive full credit. My goal in assigning the exercise is to
get you into the habit of writing about what you have just read.
You will also participate in the student elections to gain insight into the process
of grassroots democracy and “shareholder activism.” I created this assignment so
you could learn the nuts and bolts skills—drafting legal initiatives, tabling,
public speaking, signature collection, etc.—in a meaningful setting. These are
your elections. They should matter to you.
If you have a disability of any type that makes it difficult for you to
complete any of above the course work please let me know and I will work with
you to overcome the problem.
Weekly reading assignments and course work deadlines
January 20 — The 411
“Syllabus”
January 22 — Top Ten Issues
Review AS Org chart, AS Election Procedures, AS Corp Code
http://www.csuchico.edu/sustainablefuture/practices/
http://www.csuchico.edu/sustainablefuture/accomplishments.shtml
http://www.csuchico.edu/sustainablefuture/committee/documents/CSUC_C
limateActionPlan_2011.pdf
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/global-warmingsterrifying-new-math-20120719
List of Issues due
January 27 — Campus Ballot Issues
Narrow top ten issues to two or three
GAC meeting Tuesday, 2pm, BMU 205
January 29 — Idle No More
Graham, Getting Institutions to Do What You Want
Ross, Introduction & Chapter 1: Where to Start
Journal #1 due
February 3 — “Should the Associated Students . . . “
Draft Initiative
Words That Work
2
Nazer, 21 Principles of Persuasion
GAC meeting Tuesday, 2pm, BMU 205
3
February 5 — Framing Issues
McKenzie-Mohr, Norms: Building Community Support
Ross, Chapters 2: Communicating with Humans
Journal # 2 due
GAC Journal due
February 10 — Negotiating the Process
GAC meeting Tuesday, 2pm, BMU 205
Finalize initiative wording - Initiative Due by 5pm
February 12 — Campaign Research
Ross, Chapter 3: Campaign Research
Journal # 3 due (on class election issue)
February 17 — The Art of Tabling
GAC meeting Tuesday, 2pm, BMU 205
Review Tabling Request Form and Tabling locations
Form campaign committees
February 19 — Getting Your Message Received
Gladwell, The Law of the Few
Heath & Heath, What Sticks?
Berger, Why Things Catch On
Journal #4 due
Monday, February 23 — BOD Meeting, 2pm, BMU 205
February 24 — Planning a Campaign
Ross, Chapter 4: Campaign Plans
Review AS Revenue Sharing 2014
February 26 — Change Agent Skills
Miller, Create a Powerful Message
Ross, Chapter 5: Campaign Communications
Orcut, Compassionate Communication
Journal # 5 due
March 3 — Signature Update
Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People
March 5 — Working With Media
McKenzie-Mohr, Creating Effective Messages
Ross, Chapter 6: Constructing Campaign Propositions
Journal # 6 due
March 10 — Signature Update
Bring signatures sheets to class
4
March 12 — Collate and Submit Signatures
Signature Deadline – March 13, 5pm in BMU 205
March 17 – No Class
March 19 – No Class
March 24 — Campaign Rollout
Game Mechanics
March 26 — Working with the Media
Ross, Chapter 7: Working with News Media
Ross, Chapter 9: Old Media, New Media
Journal #7 due
** Attend This Way to Sustainability Conference, in the BMU **
March 31 — Campaign Update
Miller, Find the Time: Getting More Done in Fewer Hours
Ross, Chapters 8: Keeping the Campaign Going
Journal # 8 due
Wednesday, 4/1 Election Orientation Meeting, 7pm
April 2 — Campaign Event
April 7 — Campaign Update
April 9 — Campaign Event
Class meets on location
April 14 — Get Out The Vote Campaign Event
Class meets on location
April 15 – ELECTION DAY – ONE DAY ONLY
April 16 – Election Celebration
No Journal
April 21 — Campaign Reflection
Reflection Journal # 9 Due
April 23 — Discuss Follow-up
April 28 — For the Love of the Earth
Film: If A Tree Falls
April 30 — Civil Disobedience vs Eco-Terrorism
Rassmussen, Green Rage
Journal # 10 due
5
May 5 — Discussion
May 7 — Discussion
May 14 — Final Event
Final Journal due
2:00pm, Location TBA
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