Topic: Garbage and Everyday Life
Environmental Studies (ENVR) 305
Tuesday: 7:00p.m. – 9:45p.m.
Dr. Sarah Surak
Email: smsurak@salisbury.edu
Office Phone: 410-677-3879
Office Location: Fulton Hall room 280D
Office Hours: Tuesday 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 pm.
Wednesday 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Thursday 10:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m.
Course Description: According to the Environmental Protection Agency the average American generates 4.43
pounds of waste each day. Where does this waste come from? What is the composition of this waste? What
do we do with it? Why do we have so much waste in the first place? This course studies these specific
questions as well as the broader political, social, and economic relations of waste to explore what our wasting
habits can tell us about the causes and consequences of environmental degradation. While taking a specific
United States focus, this class will also move beyond the American experience to an analysis of the
globalization of the waste industry, as well as the effects of long supply chains that move commodities across
the globe. Specific topics of focus will include: current and historical waste management practices, attempts to
reduce waste and increase recycling, waste and environmental justice, and whether the creation of waste is a
necessary component of daily life.
Prerequisites: Junior standing
Required Books:
Moore, C. and C. Phillips. (2012). Plastic ocean: How a sea captain's chance discovery launched a determined
quest to save the ocean. Avery Trade: New York, NY.
Packard, V. (2011). The Waste Makers. Ig Publishing: Brooklyn, NY.
Pellow, D. (2002). Garbage Wars: The struggle for environmental justice in Chicago. The MIT Press: Cambridge,
MA.
Rathje, W. and C. Murphy. (2001). Rubbish! The Archaeology of Garbage. University of Arizona Press: New York.
Rogers, H. (2006). Gone Tomorrow: The hidden life of garbage. New Press: New York, NY.
Strasser, S. (2000). Waste and Want: A social history of trash. Holt Paperbacks: New York, NY.
**Additional required readings may be distributed to the class throughout the course of the semester.
Grading and Evaluation: For a four-credit course you should spend approximately 12 hours a week on
preparation outside of the classroom.
Reading: Students are expected to complete all reading assigned for each class period.
Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. This course is centered upon class discussion and participation.
Absences result in a fifty-point deduction from your final grade. Assignments must be submitted before class
regardless of class attendance.
Weekly responses: Each week by noon on Monday you must:
1. Email a 400+ word summary of the text to smsurak@salisbury.edu. The summary should display your
familiarity with the text (i.e. show me that you read the material!).
2. Upload to MyClasses a word document identifying
a. The two most important ideas of the text to discuss in class [provide proper citations for each]
b. Two burning questions for class discussion
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For class on Tuesday you must bring a hard copy of the three assignments as well as a copy of two questions
posted by your peers that you found interesting/important/relevant. Be prepared to participate in a discussion
of your selected questions.
Discussion duties: You will be assigned one class day in the semester to lead class discussion. Previous to class,
you should read all questions posted by your classmates. If more than one person is assigned as a discussion
leader on the same day you, you must meet in advance to discuss how you will lead class jointly.
On the day of your presentation you should prepare:
1. A brief introduction to the text to kick off class. This should not be a summary (everyone has already
submitted one!), but rather should situate the text within the larger context of class discussion
2. A series of questions and/or discussion points for the class
You are expected to facilitate class discussion for the first half of class.
Garbage journal: You are expected to maintain a garbage journal throughout the course of the semester. This
notebook must be dedicated solely to this task. You will turn in this notebook at the end of the semester. Each
week you will be asked to complete an activity in this notebook. Bring your notebook to class each week.
Final project: You must select a self-directed, topic appropriate project. This project may be a research paper
or take another form. All projects must be pre-approved by the instructor or will receive a grade of 0. You will
present your work to the class on the final day (May 7th). All projects must include appropriate citations (see
http://www.salisbury.edu/library/citation/index.html#apa)
Final exam: Your final exam will take place Tuesday, May 14th from 7:00p.m. - 9:00p.m. The exam will be open
book and open notes.
Evaluation and Evaluation Percentages:
Grading Scale
450-500 = A
400-449 = B
350-399 = C
300-349 = D
299 and below = F
Assignments
250 points: Weekly responses
25 points: Discussant duties
50 points: Garbage journal
100 points: Final project
75 points: Final Exam
Reading Calendar
Tuesday, January 29th – Introduction
Tuesday, February 5th – The Waste Makers 9-183
Tuesday, February 12th – The Waste Makers 187-322
Tuesday, February 19th – Rubbish! pp. ix-130
Tuesday, February 26th – Rubbish! pp. 131-245
 Recommended project approval deadline
Tuesday, March 5th – Waste and Want pp. 1-159
Tuesday, March 12th – Waste and Want pp. 161-293
 Project approval mandatory deadline
Tuesday, March 19th – NO CLASS (spring break)
Tuesday, March 26th – Garbage Wars pp. vii-65
Tuesday, April 2nd – Garbage Wars pp. 67-173
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Tuesday, April 9th – Gone Tomorrow pp. ix-101
Tuesday, April 16th – Gone Tomorrow pp. 103-231
Tuesday, April 23rd – Plastic Ocean pp. ix-125
Tuesday, April 30th – Plastic Ocean pp. 126-337
Tuesday, May 7th – Class presentation of final projects
Final Exam: Tuesday May 14th from 7:00p.m. - 9:00p.m.
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