BISC 677 - The Lower Mississippi River: Cultural and Ecological Perspectives
TTh 1-2:15, Fall 2013
Dr. Clifford A. Ochs
office: 332 Shoemaker; office hrs: Tu, Th 3:00-5:00
phone: 915-7562; email: byochs@olemiss.edu
Dr. Robbie Ethridge
office: 103 Leavell Hall
phone: 915-7317; email: rethridg@olemiss.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
BISC 677 will examine the history and linkages of cultural and environmental changes within the Lower
Mississippi River Basin from pre-European settlement to the present time.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Learn the literature devoted to large river ecology
 Learn methods used to study large river ecology
 Understand conceptual models for large river trophic organization
 Be able to develop original questions about large river trophic ecology
 Understand the linkages between ecological and social systems
 Learn the social history of the Lower Mississippi River valley
Texts:
1) The Big Muddy: An environmental history of the Mississippi and its peoples from Hernando de Soto to
Hurricane Katrina. Christopher Morris, Oxford U. Press.
2) Selections from other readings will be provided via Blackboard.
SCHEDULE OF TOPICS
Week/Date
Topic
1:
Introduction to River Science and the LMR ecosystem (CO)
2:
The ancient LMR floodplain ecosystem (CO)
Big river ecology (CO)
Field Trip – LMR canoe trip
3:
Pre-Columbian Native cultures (JJ)
Field Trip – Mound tour
4:
Post-Columbian Native cultures (RE)
5:
European exploration and contact (RE)
6
Land conversion – The Cotton Kingdom
Field Trip – Delta Levee Board, Mud Island
7
Land conversion – Logging the Delta
8
The river in song and story
9
The Flood Project – taming a river
Field Trip – Vicksburg, WES, Delta Nat Forest
10
Symptoms of a “pathological landscape”
Field Trip – Old River control structure, Poverty Point, Atchafalaya
11
The modern Delta and YMD floodplain
12
The Dead Zone
13
Atchafalaya and coastal wetlands
14
The future of the river?
Final
Class presentations
CLASS REQUIREMENTS
Students are expected to read assignments from the text, other assigned readings, participate in class
discussion, and prepare a 10 page (minimum) research paper and oral presentation on any subject related to
the class. Field trips are strongly encouraged but not always required.
Grading
Participation in class and (most) field trips
Weekly writing assignments
Research paper - Final
25% of grade
25%
50%
Grading will be based on the A,B,C,D,F system.
Other Notes and Policies
1. Special Needs. Students with special needs (e.g. physical handicaps or learning disabilities) who need to
make special arrangements should consult the instructor within the first two weeks of the semester.
2. Challenges to Assigned Grades. Challenges to assigned grades will be welcomed in writing. A written
format provides you the opportunity to present an articulate and well-considered argument.
Challenges must be submitted within one week of a graded assignment.
3. Academic Integrity. Any form of misconduct – cheating, plagiarism, fabrication – will not be tolerated
and will subject violators to a failing grade in the course. I do encourage students to collaborate in
studying and to review each other’s written assignments, but all work turned in for a grade must be
completed only by the student submitting the work.
4. Incompletes. Incompletes will not be given except in extreme circumstances beyond a student’s control.
5. Withdrawals. The last date for withdrawal is October 7, 2013 (no refunds after Sept 9)
This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructors to accommodate
instructional and/or student needs.