HONR 1037
Sustainability and the Modern World II
Spring 2013
COURSE LOGISTICS:
Director of Academic Sustainability Programs: Dr. Nanette Chadwick: chadwna@auburn.edu
Instructors:
Dr. David Bransby: 224 Funchess Hall, 844-3935, bransdi@auburn.edu
Dr. Liz Brite: 0303M Haley Hall, 844-7843, ebb@auburn.edu
Dr. Nathan Hensley: 0303H Haley Hall, 844-7758, nsh0007@auburn.edu
Professor John Pittari: 105 Dudley, 844-5424, pittajj@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 9:30-10:45, Corley Hall 307
Section Meeting Times:
Thursdays at 9:30-10:45:
001: Haley Center 2328, Prof. Pittari & Dr. Hensley
003: Haley Center 2442, Dr. Bransby & Dr. Brite
DESCRIPTION and OBJECTIVES: This course introduces students to the interdisciplinary study of
sustainability, with an emphasis on energy use, current modes of transportation and future alternatives, and
climate change. We will consider the interconnectedness of the current infrastructure and cultural and
personal habits and behavior, and will explore alternatives to our current unsustainable practices including:
redesigning communities; biofuels, solar and wind power; and reducing consumption and waste. The
course will invite students to think critically about the interconnectedness of natural, technological, cultural,
and economic issues of sustainability. Also, students are exposed to topics that may help them develop a
better understanding of how individual and societal actions can 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
60 points
Vehicle footprint
30
Green building assignment
30
How we move is how we live 30
Consumption/waste diary
30
Midterm exam #1
75
Project outline
30
Midterm exam #2
75
Poster & presentation
120
(rough draft 15 points; oral explanation 15 points; poster 90 points)
Final exam
120
(focuses on weeks 11-15, plus questions from entire semester)
Total points possible:
600
Point breakdown: 270 for 3 exams, 120 for 4 assignments, 150 for project [outline due 2/21, rough draft due
4/4, poster due 4/18, oral explanation 4/23 & 4/25], 60 for participation/attendance
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 4 short exercises: Vehicle footprint, green building
assignment, consumption and waste diary, and how we move is how we live.
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 pertaining to energy, transportation,
consumption, and/or waste, research relevant literature, possibly interview experts or collect data about the
issue, and propose sustainable solutions. You will construct an outline, with references, about your topic,
then investigate your topic, synthesize your findings, create a poster and present your findings. Specific
project guidelines, a rubric, and other details will be posted online and discussed in section.
Class Participation and Attendance:
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. If you leave class early, this will also count
as ½ of an 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, unless we are engaged in group discussion.
Honesty: Auburn University expects students to complete your academic work with honesty and integrity.
The Academic Honesty Code is in 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: Assignment due dates and exams are highlighted in BOLD]
1
Jan. 10
Section: Introductions, syllabus, team building, receive vehicle footprint assignment
2
Jan 15
Lecture: Sustainability & systems thinking (Nanette Chadwick) [reading on electric cars
and eco-ethics reading]
Section: Discuss lecture, readings, team building, receive information on final projects,
Turn in vehicle footprint assignment
Jan 17
3
Jan 22
Jan 24
Lecture: Are societies sustainable? (Liz Brite) [read Tainter article]
Section: Discuss lecture, reading, & research tips. Turn in topic ideas for final project
4
Jan 29
Jan 31
Lecture: Climate change (Matt Williams) [climate reading, receive green bldg. assignment]
Section: Solar panels, electric and solar cars tour, receive project topics
5
Feb 5
Feb 7
Lecture: World energy resources (David Bransby & Nathan Hensley) [energy reading]
Section: Discuss lecture and reading/tour, Turn in green building assignment
6
Feb 12
Feb 14
Lecture: Bioenergy (David Bransby) [view film for Feb. 19]
Section: Exam 1 [covers material from weeks 1-5]
7
Feb 19
Feb 21
Lecture: Discuss lecture and film
Section: Switch grass and solar house tour, Turn in outline for poster project
8
Feb 26
Feb 28
Lecture: Wind and solar solutions (David Bransby) [reading]
Section: Discuss lecture & reading, receive outline comments & consumption diary assnmt
9
Mar 5
Mar 7
Lecture: Energy conservation (Nathan Hensley) [view film]
Section: Biotruck demonstration, Turn in consumption diary
Mar 11-15 SPRING BREAK
10
Mar 19
Mar 21
Lecture: Consumption and waste (Jerrod Windham) [reading]
Section: Discuss lectures and reading/film, progress on project posters
11
Mar 26
Mar 28
Lecture: Consumption and waste tour
Section: Exam 2 [covers weeks 6-10]
12
Apr 2
Apr 4
Lecture: Climate change mitigation and adaptation (Chandana Mitra) [reading/film]
Section: Discuss lecture and tour, receive how we live & move assignment, peer edits
Turn in rough drafts of posters
13
Apr 9
Apr 11
Lecture: How we move is how we live (John Pittari) [view Taken for A Ride film]
Section: Walkable city tour, receive written comments on poster drafts,
Turn in how we move is how we live
14
Apr 16
Apr 18
Lecture: Sustainable communities (John Pittari) [view Nature of Cities film]
Section: Discuss lecture and film, course wrap-up,
Turn in final project posters: hard copies + electronic via Canvas
15
Apr 23
Apr 25
Student poster presentations
Student poster presentations
Friday, May 3, at 8-10:30am: Final exam [focuses on weeks 11-15, plus comprehensive questions—from
entire semester]
Note: The instructors reserve the right to make changes, as necessary, to this document. Any changes will
be announced and published on the Canvas page.