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., Environmental Studies Reader
Chris Rose, How to Win Campaigns
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
Election Reflection
Final Journal (three pages)
Total Possible
440 points
300 points
40 points
40 points
820 points
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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 21 — The 411
“Syllabus”
January 23 — Top Ten Issues
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://grist.org/climate-energy/climate-alarmism-the-idea-is-surreal/
http://grist.org/news/the-32-most-alarming-charts-from-the-governmentsclimate-change-report/
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/global-warmingsterrifying-new-math-20120719
List of Issues due
January 28 — Campus Ballot Issues
Narrow top ten issues to two or three
BOD meeting Monday, 3pm, BMU 205
January 30 — Idle No More
Graham, Getting Institutions to Do What You Want
Ross, Introduction & Chapter 1: Where to Start
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Journal #1 due
February 4 — “Should the Associated Students . . . “
Draft Initiative
Visit a BOD member prior to class
February 6— Framing Issues
McKenzie-Mohr, Norms: Building Community Support
Ross, Chapters 2: Communicating with Humans
Journal # 2 due
February 11 — Negotiating the Process
Finalize initiative wording - Initiative Due by 5pm
BOD meeting Monday, 3pm, BMU 205
February 13 — Campaign Research
Ross, Chapter 3: Campaign Research
Journal # 3 due (on class election issue)
February 18 — The Art of Tabling
Form campaign committees
February 20 — Planning a Campaign
Berger, Contagious: Why Things Catch On
Ross, Chapter 4: Campaign Plans
Journal #4 due
February 25 — Excuse me, would you like to sign . . .
Gather signatures
February 27 — Change Agent Skills
Miller, Create a Powerful Message
Ross, Chapter 5: Campaign Communications
Journal # 5 due (issue research)
March 4 — Signature Update
March 6 — Working With Media
McKenzie-Mohr, Creating Effective Messages
Ross, Chapter 6: Constructing Campaign Propositions
Journal # 6 due (an effective message)
** Attend This Way to Sustainability Conference, in the BMU **
March 11 — Signature Update
Bring signatures sheets to class
March 13 — Collate and Submit Signatures
Signature Deadline – March 14, 5pm in BMU 205
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March 18 – No Class
March 20 – No Class
4
March 25 — Campaign Rollout
March 27 — Working with the Media
Ross, Chapter 7: Working with News Media
Ross, Chapter 9: Old Media, New Media
Journal #7 due
Thursday, 3/27 Election Orientation Meeting, 7pm
April 1 — Campaign Update
April 3 — Eyes on the Prize
Miller, Find the Time: Getting More Done in Fewer Hours
Ross, Chapters 8: Keeping the Campaign Going
Journal # 8 due
April 8 — Campaign Update
April 10 — Campaign Event
Class meets on location
April 15 — GOTV: Get Out The Vote
Group campaign effort around campus
Voting Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
April 17 - Voter Turnout!
No Journal
April 22 — Campaign Reflection
Reflection Journal # 9 Due
April 24 — Discuss Follow-up
April 29 — For the Love of the Earth
Film: If A Tree Falls
May 1 — Civil Disobedience vs Eco-Terrorism
Rassmussen, Green Rage
Journal # 10 due
May 6 — Discussion
May 8 — Discussion
May 15 — Final Event
Final Journal due
2:00pm, Location TBA
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