ANIMALS, PEOPLE, AND THE ENVIRONMENT---FIELDWORK
SYLLABUS
SOC2692
Instructor: Cheryl Joseph, Ph.D.
Spring, 2012
Office Hours: By appt.
Office: SM128
Phone: 650-508-3586
Email: cjoseph@ndnu.edu
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Course Description and Intended Outcomes: Using on-site locations, this course facilitates
learning about the interdependency between humans, wildlife, and the natural environment.
This interdependency is viewed in part through the import of culture into the study of the natural
world to provide an appreciation for the lives and contemporary realities of these groups.
Students develop awareness and practice thinking critically about the influence of the natural
world on human beings and impact of humans on the natural world. In addition, students learn
about their part in the local and global systems as well as the complexities of environmental
issues.
Course Format: In order to explore the subject matter of this course as thoroughly as possible,
the format centers on off-campus visits to a variety of relevant locations. Related reading,
discussions, independent research, and lectures by experts in their areas contribute to this class.
This course is scheduled on weekend days to provide the time and flexibility for the on-site visits.
Course Outline: (All readings will be on reserve in the NDNU Gellert library)
Week One: Saturday, February 4, 2012, 10AM-1PM
Location:
Randall Museum
199 Museum Way, San Francisco
Format:
Lecture about urbanization and its effect on oceans and ocean life; the
relationship of insects, bees, and birds to global balance by subject
matter expert Nancy Ellis followed by lunch (BYO), an overview of the
course and discussion of required readings. Hike on the grounds behind
the museum is optional.
Readings:
Environmental Philosophy by Michael Zimmerman et al.
“General Introduction” by Zimmerman Pp. 1-16
“What is Social Ecology” by Murry Bookchin Pp. 436-454
Week Two: Saturday, February 25, 2012, 10AM-2PM
Location: Marine Mammal Center
2000 Bunker Rd., Fort Cronkhite, Sausalito 94965
Format: Learn about this hospital for injured marine life; the fragility of our oceans;
and the characteristics of northern elephant seals, Pacific harbor seals, and
California sea lions through a docent-led presentation and tour of the facilities.
Discussion of required readings follows. Bring your lunch some you can
picnic during our discussion if you wish.
Readings: Blue Planet (Fall, 2005)
“What Makes California Different?” Pp. 20-34
“Time to Face a Dirty Little Secret” Pp.15, 16
Humanity & Society Volume 35 (4) November 2011
“Feedlots of the Sea: Movement Frames and Activist Claims in the
Protest over Salmon Farming in the Pacific Northwest” by
Anthony Ladd Pp. 341-369
Week Three: Saturday, March 24, 2012, 10AM-1PM
Location:
San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboratum
Ninth Avenue at Lincoln Way, Golden Gate Park
Format:
Tour of gardens with discussion of rain forest and cloud forest plant and
animal life in Central and South Americas; their ecological impact on
indigenous human cultures; historically and currently, and the
relationship of the people to their natural environment. Discussion of
required reading follows. Bring lunch if you wish.
Readings:
The Rainforest: a Celebration by Lisa Silcocks et al.
“The People of the Forest” by Robin Hanbury-Tenison
“Future in the Balance” by roger Hammond
Environmental Philosophy by Michael Zimmerman et al.
“The Place, the Region and the Attitudes” by Snyder Pp.471-486
“Ecocentrism, Wilderness & Global Ecosystem Protection” by
George Sessions Pp.236-252
California Wild (Spring, 2006)
“The Curse of Cape Ivy” by Heather Liston Pp. 15-18 + 38.
Week Four: Saturday, April 28, 2012, 10AM-3PM
Location:
Hidden Villa, 26870 Moody Road, Los Gatos Hills, CA
Format:
Tour of a family farm that uses organic and humane practices to sustain
the health of the biosphere and educate generations of all ages to
live harmoniously with nature, other species and each other. Discussion
of required readings. As before, bring lunch if you wish.
Readings:
The Ecology of Invasions by Animals and Plants by Charles Elton
“The Reasons for Conservation” Pp. 143-153
An Invitation to Environmental Sociology by Michael Bell
“Consumption and Materialism” Pp. 27-37
Environmental Communication and the Public Sphere by Robert Cox
“Environmental Justice: Voices from the Grassroots” Pp. 289322.
Course Requirements:
1. Attendance and full participation in all classes is mandatory. Readings must be completed
prior to the class meeting for which they are assigned and critical application of the reading to the
on-site class is expected. A substantial portion of your grade will be based on the questions and
comments you make relative to your readings and field experiences.
To fulfill the requirements for this course, you need only complete either #2 or #3, not both.
2. Elaborate further on the contents of this course and the experiences that it provided for you by
reflecting on your thoughts and feelings along with any unresolved questions and dilemmas.
Indicate what you have learned from these experiences, the people whom you met, and your
required readings as well as any additional readings you wish to supplement and/or underscore
the lessons you learned. Be certain you cite your sources using ASA style. Also indicate what
actions you plan to take as a result of this class. This paper should be approximately 5 pages in
length and collegiate in quality. Due date: May 2, 2012.
3. Design an on-site class in the Bay Area similar to those provided by this class. You must first
visit the site. Then develop an instructional plan (format) with a justification for your choice of
locations and topics. Provide relevant readings and related questions or topics for discussion.
Give full citations for the readings you require. The plan must focus on the people-animal-
environment interdependency. Also devise a community-service project that you include in your
class and describe how it will benefit the human, animal, and natural environment in that
community. This paper should be approximately 5 pages in length and collegiate in quality. Due
date: May 2, 2012.
No late papers accepted as I will be leaving the country immediately
following graduation and will need time to evaluate your paper.