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Geog309 Urban Environmental Pollution
Spring 2011, Thursday, 6:10-10:00PM, KH-D4057
Instructor: Dr. Hengchun Ye; KH-D4058; Wed and Thurs 3:00PM-6:00PM and by appointment
Contact information: 323-343-2229; hye2@calstatela.edu
Website for lecture notes: http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/hye2/Geog309/
General Education Upper Division Themes
A theme consists of three interrelated courses on the same topic, designed to help students
acquire knowledge of topics that are current, enduring, and of significant importance for
humanity. Topics are designed to promote: an understanding of oneself and one’s fellow human
beings, the social and physical environment, and a wide range of cultural achievements. They
also encourage an understanding of the shared concerns of all people as well as diverse cultural
heritages, promote an awareness of ethical and social concerns, and a cultivation of moral
responsibility.
This is a course in Theme D. Urban Environmental Pollution
Theme coordinator: Dr. Stephen Rothman
This theme contributes to an understanding of urbanization, its causes and consequences, and the
urban experience from a variety of points of view. Courses explore the city as a special kind of
human habitat and the relations between social and natural environments. Students gain the tools
to comprehend the social, political, economic and cultural complexities of cities and the human
and natural forces that shape urban life, experiences and environments
Students must choose theme courses outside of their major department/division/school unless a
waiver has been approved by the General Education Subcommittee. One course from three areas:
Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Social Sciences and Humanities (12 units required) must be
completed. The courses in this theme are listed below.
Natural Sciences and Mathematics area: CE 352, GEOG/HS 309, GEOG 310, GEOL 357
Social Sciences area: (d)CHDV 321, GEOG 376, HIST 383, SOC 330
Humanities area: ART 317, (d)COMM 389, ML 300, TAD 316
(d) denotes diversity courses which will satisfy both the upper division and diversity
requirements
Goal: This course studies city as an integral component of the ecosystem and its interaction and
impacts on the earth’s environment. Students will learn the by-products of the urbanization
including air pollution, water pollution, solid wastes, industrial and residential toxic and hazard
wastes, and methods/technologies of their reduction and disposition. This course also explores
the alternatives on city planning and sustainable development to achieve harmony with and
minimize its impact on our delicate environment.
Tentative Topics
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1. The urban ecosystem: biological, physical, and social requirements to maintain the
ecosystem. Inputs and outputs of the system.
2. Air pollution: types, sources, impacts on human health, and other aspects of ecosystem;
Control methods and technology.
3. Water and the City: water supplies and quality control; the urban hydrological cycle and
flooding hazard; water pollution and waste water treatment/disposal; sewerage and storm
runoff and their impacts on streams, ground water quality, and environment.
4. Solid wastes: sources of trash and the psychology of the threw-away society; disposal
methods, recycling strategies.
5. Toxic and other hazardous wastes: disposal methods
6. Noise, odor, and heat pollution: health and nuisance concerns, control methods,
legislation.
7. Urban planning: urban sprawl versus controlled “smart” growth; green cities and
sustainable development.
Final Exam: March 22, Thurs 7:30-10:00PM.
Policy:
1. There are two exams including the final. The midterm date will be announced a week in
advance.
2. A research paper is required for this class. The details are in the last page of this syllabus.
3. The grade for this course is derived from weekly assignments (25%), midterm exam (25%),
final (30%), research paper (15%), and class attendance (5%).
4. Weekly assignments are mini-papers that discover/research information in a specific subject.
Each assignment needs appropriate citation and reference lists. Certain information organized
in graphs and tables when available are encouraged as a part of the assignment. The
instructor will give bonus points to students whose information is valuable and contribute to
the class lectures.
5. No make-ups for missed exams unless under very special circumstances and approved by the
instructor before the exam date.
6. Supplemental readings and materials will be handout before each lecture if needed. It is
student’s responsibility to take class notes, acquire and organize materials/information for
exams.
7. Plagiarism is not tolerated in this class.
8. No cell phones allowed during class.
9. The instructor reserves the right to change topics or arrangements specified in the syllabus.
References
Detwyler, T. R. and M. Macus, Urbanization and Environment. Duxbury Press: Belmont, CA
1972.
Boone, C. G. and A. Modarres, City and Environment. Temple University Press: Philadelphia,
2007.
Other useful references
Davis, M., City of Quarts. Vintage Books: NY, 1998.
Davis, M, Ecology of Fear. Metropolitan Books: NY, 1998.
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Dear, M. J., and J. D. Dishman, From Chicago to LA: Making Sense of Urban Theory. Sage:
Thousand Oaks, CA, 2002.
Golany, G., Ethics and Urban Design: Culture, Form and Environment. J. Wiley & Sons: NY,
1995.
Makower, J., The Green Commuter. National Press: Washington DC, 1992.
Miller, G. T. Jr, Living in the Environment, 14th Ed. Brooks/Cole: Pacific Grove, CA, 2004.
Orishimo, I., Urbanization and Environmental Quality. Kluwer, NY, 1982.
Register, R., Ecocities: Building in Balance with Nature. ZBerkeley Hills Books, Berkeley, CA,
2002.
Rodgers, R. G., Cities for a Small Planet. Westview Press: Boulder, CO, 1998.
Stren, R. R. and J. W. Whitney, Sustainable Cities. Westview Press: boulder CO, 1992.
Tarr,, J. A., The Search for the Ultimate Sink: Urban Pollution in Historical Perspective. Univ.
of Akron Press: Akron, OH, 1996.
Young, J. E., Discarding the Throwaway Society. Worldwatch Institute: Washington, DC, 1991.
Videos in Library
The Urban Explosion. HT241.U72
The City. FLIC 88685.
Extinction. FLIC87617
Clean Air. FLIC 87613
Clean Water. FLIC87614
Rivers of Destiny. QH541.5.57.R587
After the Storm. EP1.104:ST7/VIDEO
What home buyers and Sellers should know About. EP4.28-R11
Recycling. FLIC 87618.
Race to Save the Planet; Waste Not, Want Not. FLIC 85319.
Nuclear Energy/Nuclear Waste. FLIC 87622
Research Paper
Each student will chose specific area of urban environmental issues based on personal interests
and communicate with the instructor before finalize the topic. The paper should be 6-8 pages
(double space; not including attachments or figures) with proper citations and should exhibit
critical thinking and arguments. The paper should include references from all three sources (at
least one reference from each source): manuscripts in a peer-reviewed journal; a book chapter,
and Internet or newspaper articles. It should be written by your own language not copied
directly from the sources. Students are encouraged to make appointment and visit the writing
center on campus (JFK Palmer Wing 2097, 323-343-5350) to get assistance in grammar and
paper format/structure before the final version is turned in.
Specific Components of the Paper (use subtitles to separate each section)
1. Title of the project and your name.
2. Introduction to the problem. This section includes motivations, significance, and
background of this problem. Also a clear statement of the goal of your paper should be
included here. The citations should be included in the text in this section.
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3. Critical discussions and arguments related to the problems: pros, cons, and possible
solutions. Your own opinion must be included in here.
4. Reference lists (all the reference listed here should be cited in the text)
Grade: presentation for the paper accounts for 5 pints, and the rest for the 10 points. Among
these 10 points, 2 points is for submitting your title and a brief description of your project, 3
points for submitting your paper on time, and 5 points for the quality of your writing and
organization.
Deadlines:
1. Title and description of project: February 23.
2. Final project submission: March 15, paper presentation day.
Schedule for presentation will be handed out two weeks before the scheduled research
presentation.