HONR 1027
Sustainability and the Modern World
Fall 2012
COURSE LOGISTICS:
Organizer: Dr. Nanette Chadwick: 141 Funchess Hall, 844-8184, chadwna@auburn.edu
Instructors:
Dr. Leonard Bell: 301H Poultry Science Building, 844-3272, bellleo@auburn.edu
Dr. Liz Brite: 0303M Haley Hall, 844-7843, ebb@auburn.edu
Dr. Nathan Hensley: 0303H Haley Hall, 844-7758, nsh0007@auburn.edu
Dr. Norbert Wilson: 100C Comer Hall, 844-5616, wilsonl@auburn.edu
Dr. Wes Wood: 255 Funchess Hall, 844-3997, woodwes@auburn.edu
The best way to reach us is by email, but feel free to also use telephone. Office hours by appointment.
Lecture Meeting Times:
Tuesdays at 12:30-1:45, Comer Hall 207
Section Meeting Times:
Thursdays at 12:30-1:45:
001: Funchess Hall 246, Dr. Bell & Dr. Brite
003: Comer Hall 303, Dr. Wood & Dr. Hensley
Thursdays at 2:00-3:15:
002: Comer Hall 307, Dr. Wilson & Dr. Hensley
DESCRIPTION and OBJECTIVES: This course introduces students to the interdisciplinary study of
sustainability, with an emphasis on local, national, and global food and water systems. Students learn about
the environmental and social impacts of the industrialization of these systems and explore solutions to
problems associated with modern food and water patterns of use. The course exposes students to systems
thinking and invites students to think critically about the interconnectedness of natural, technological,
cultural, and economic issues of sustainability. They also develop an understanding of how individual and
societal actions may work toward achieving sustainability.
REQUIRED READINGS AND FILMS: Weekly reading and film assignments will be posted on Canvas
section websites, or through library reserve. All readings and film viewings must be completed before
section each Thursday.
REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION:
In-Class Participation
50 points
Ecological Footprint
30
Food Diary
30
Midterm Exam #1
75
Bioregional Map
30
Project Proposal
30
One Can Assignment
30
Midterm Exam #2
75
Water Diary
30
Project Report
100
Final Exam
120
(70 from final third of the semester, plus 50 points synthetic)
Total points possible: 600
Points breakdown: 270 for 3 exams, 150 for 5 assignments, 130 for project, 50 for participation
Final grades are on a 600-point scale: A = 540-600 points (90-100%), B = 480-539 points (80-89%), C = 420-479
points (70-79%), D = 360-419 (60-69%), F = less than 360 points (<60%).
Extra credit: Will be awarded for attendance at selected events during the semester (campus-wide lectures,
films, etc.). Records of extra credit will be used to decide borderline course grades.
Exams: Exams will consist of multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, and essay questions.
Short Assignments: Each student will complete 5 short exercises: an ecological footprint analysis
http://www.myfootprint.org, 2 short diaries to record your patterns of food and water use, a map of your
bioregion, and a “one can” assignment analysis of food ingredients and social context. Assignment
guidelines will be posted online.
Final Project: The final project is a semester-long assignment in which you will apply what you learn in class
to a specific sustainability issue of your choice (subject to instructor approval; we will provide lists of
possible topics). You will identify a local, regional, or worldwide issue about food or water sustainability,
research relevant literature, possibly interview experts or collect data about the issue, and propose
sustainable solutions. You will write a brief proposal with references about your topic, then investigate your
topic, synthesize your findings, and write a final report. Specific project guidelines and other details will be
posted online and discussed in section.
Class Participation
The success of this class depends in large part on the full participation of each student and the exchange of
ideas and perceptions. Participation can take various forms and will be different for each person. Some
examples of “participation” include: asking relevant questions, verbally examining a concept or perception,
and listening actively. For those of you who feel insecure about speaking up in class, you can fulfill your
class participation requirement by bringing to class relevant current event articles or emailing to the
instructors questions and comments. Obviously, behavior like sleeping, texting, internet surfing, and
chatting indicate a lack of attention and focus. Likewise, civility in the classroom is crucial to enlightened
discussion. Students who show disrespect for the ideas and expressions shared during lectures and
discussions will fare poorly in their discussion grade. Your participation grade will be evaluated based on
your preparedness for class and the frequency and quality of your comments. We will gladly discuss with
you, during office hours, our assessment of this aspect of your grade.
Attendance will be taken during each lecture and discussion period, in the first 10 minutes of class.
Tardiness >10 minutes after class has begun will be considered ½ absence. Poor attendance and tardiness
will affect your class participation grade. In addition, each week of unexcused absences greater than 1 week’s
worth (i.e. 2 class sessions) will result in lowering of your course grade by one letter (ie: A to B, B to C, etc.).
For example, 2 unexcused tardies (>10 minutes late each time) plus 1 full class unexcused absence (beyond
the one week of “free” absences) will lower your course grade from a B to a C.
POLICIES:
E-Mail and Telephone Communications: Auburn University recognizes e-mail as an official form of
communication. BE SURE to regularly check your TigerMail account for communications about this course.
If the nature of a student e-mail is too complex to answer electronically, you will be asked to come during
office hours or to make an appointment at a mutually convenient time.
Late Assignments and Make-up Exams: Assignment due dates are rigid and all assignments are due at the
start of class unless otherwise noted, or unless you have an excused absence. If you anticipate a problem
turning an assignment in on time please discuss it with us in advance. Late submissions will receive 10% off
per day late, including those turned in later than the start of class (ie: at the end of the class period when they
are due). So, an assignment turned in at the end of class on the due date will be 10% off. Then 50% off after 5
days, and 100% off (no points awarded) after 10 days.
Make-up exams will be all essay format and will be given only with prior permission upon submission of a
university-accepted excuse at least one week in advance. In case of sudden illness, a written excuse from a
doctor on letterhead must explain that you were not able to attend class during the time of the exam, and
must be turned in within 3 days after the exam. All other circumstances will result in a zero for the exam.
Attendance and Behavior: Attendance is mandatory and assumes that you have read required materials or
viewed required films in advance, and participate. Cell phones must be silenced during class. Laptop and tablet
computers may be used only to facilitate class participation; students who engage in other uses will be asked to turn off
all devices during class. This class will include lots of discussion, and you will have many opportunities to
share your opinions. However, you are expected to show respect for your classmates, instructors, and guest
speakers by not talking amongst yourselves when we aren’t engaged in group discussion.
Honesty: Auburn University expects students to complete your academic work with honesty and integrity.
The Academic Honesty Code is online, and explains actions considered to be cheating and the possible
consequences. Violations of the Academic Honesty Code will not be tolerated in this course.
Students with Disabilities: Any student needing special accommodations should inform the instructors
during the first week of class and contact the Program for Students with Disabilities in Haley Center 1244, 8442099 (V/TT) or email: scw0005@auburn.edu.
COURSE SCHEDULE:
Week Date
Activities [Note: Assignments and exams are highlighted in BOLD]
1
Aug 16
Section: Introductions, syllabus, pre-test questions, Values on the Line exercise
2
Aug 21
Aug 23
Lecture: What is Sustainability? (Nanette Chadwick) [Chapters 1 &2 PC Reader]
Section: Discuss reading, view Story of Stuff, receive project guidelines and topics
Turn in and discuss ecological footprint exercise
3
Aug 28
Aug 30
Lecture: Ecosystem Services (Dennis Devries) [Chapter 8 in PC Reader]
Section: Discuss reading, view “Why Trees”, do Tragedy of Commons exercise
Turn in list of project topic ideas
4
Sept 4
Sept 6
Lecture: Systems Thinking (Lisa Kensler) [Chapter on Dancing with Systems]
Section: Discuss reading, receive project topics, visit from Sustainability Librarian
Turn in and discuss food diaries in the context of systems thinking
5
Sept 11
Sept 13
Lecture: Bioregionalism and Foodsheds (Nathan Hensley) [Foodshed & Bioregion articles]
Section: Group exercise, Turn in and discuss bioregional map assignment
6
Sept 18
Sept 20
Lecture: Population Dynamics, Food, Soils, and Agriculture (Wes Wood)
Section: Midterm Exam #1 [covers material from weeks 1-5]
7
Sept 25
Sept 27
Lecture: Food case study: Alabama poultry (Wes Wood) [Soils chapter, Water film]
Section: Discuss soils chapter reading, and Film Poisoned Waters
8
Oct 2
Oct 4
Lecture: Food choices: culture, health, & safety (Leonard Bell)
Section: Campus Food Tour, Turn in project proposals
9
Oct 9
Oct 11
Lecture: Human equity: Food security in Alabama (Norbert Wilson) [view Food Film]
Section: Discuss food film and Alabama food issues
10
Oct 16
Oct 18
Lecture: Food processing and packaging (Leonard Bell) [Food Science article]
Section: Discuss reading, Turn in and discuss one can assignment
11
Oct 23
Oct 25
Lecture: Critical state of the nation’s water and issues on campus (Mike Kensler)
Section: Midterm Exam #2 [covers weeks 6-10]
12
Oct 30
Nov 1
Lecture: Economic and social costs: African food & water issues (Norbert Wilson)
Section: Campus Water Tour [Chapter on African Water Issues]
13
Nov 6
Nov 8
Lecture: Critical state of the world’s water (Liz Brite)
Section: Discuss African reading, View Story of Stuff: Bottled Water
Turn in and discuss water diaries in systems thinking context
Optional: Turn in project report drafts for instructor written comments
14
Nov 13
Nov 15
Lecture: International water case studies (Liz Brite) [View Chattahoochee film]
Section: Discuss film, Bring project report drafts to class and conduct peer reviews
15
Nov 27
Nov 29
Lecture: Hope for the future: day to day sustainable living (Nathan Hensley) [View Film]
Section: Discuss film, Turn in and discuss final project reports
16
Dec 3
Final exam at 12:00-2:30pm, Comer Hall 207
[focuses on weeks 11-15, plus comprehensive questions]