ENVS 101:  INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES                              Last update on 12 December 2007   

Fall 2007: TR 12:30-1:45                       return to ENVS homepage    

Fall 2007 grades (if student provide code and signature)                                

Instructor:   Dr. Marsha Bollinger, 313B Sims Science Building, 323-4944, bollingerm@winthrop.edu

Office hours: TR 11-12:15; feel free to drop by other times as well or to make an appointment

The goal of this course is to introduce several current environmental issues to students who are either environmental sciences or environmental studies majors or who simply have an interest in these issues.  The course currently does not count towards the general education science requirement.  The semester will be divided into three sections dealing with issues ranging in scope from local to regional to national and global.  For each issue, we will cover some basic facts, explore some potential problems and solutions, and review pertinent laws and policies.    Methods of instruction in the course will include lectures, discussions, readings, videos, guest speakers, field trips, computer simulations, and tests.  

Students with Disabilities: Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education.  If you have a disability and need accommodations, please contact Gena Smith, Coordinator, Services for Students with Disabilities, at 323-3290, as soon as possible.  Once you have your Professor Notification Form, please tell me so that I am aware of your accommodations well before the first {test/paper/assignment}.

Required text: Essential Environment: The Science Behind the Stories, 2nd edition, 2007,  Withgott and Brennan

Course schedule: This page includes the daily schedule, reading assignments, and links to homework assignments.

Grading: Your grade will be based on your performance on three in-class tests (each worth 100 pts.), a comprehensive final exam (100 pts.), the lifestyles project (3 journals @ 25 pts. each), written summaries of one videos and 2 articles (3 @ 25 pts. each), and one group project (25 pts for participation, 25 pts. for written summary).  Your average will be determined by adding up the number points you earn and dividing by the total possible points (600).  Letter grades will be assigned approximately on the following scale:  A=90%, A-= 88%, B+=84%, B=80%, B-= 78%, C+=74, C=70%, C-=68%, D+=64%, D=60%, F = <60%. . 

Study guides:  Outlines of material (introduction, energy, water, land use, air) will be provided through this web page and can serve to help you with reading assignments, taking notes in class, and reviewing for tests and the final exam. 

Power point presentations from lecture:  These will be made available through this web as we begin each topic.

Tests and Exam:  Tests will be a mixture of question types (matching, multiple choice, short answers).  The final exam is required of all students and will be given at the designation time during exam week.  Make-ups for tests will only be given in extreme circumstances.  If you miss a test, contact the instructor as soon as possible.   

Lifestyle Project: Details of this assignment will be provided here. In general, you will be asked to make changes in your daily life which will positively impact the environment.  You will be given several choices;  for three weeks you will make changes on selected days and will record what you did and how it impacted you in a written journal.  This project will be worth 75 points.  .

Attendance:  Students are responsible for everything that goes on in class.  This requires regular attendance.  Please respect others by being on time and staying for the entire class.  Please turn cell phones off while in class.