MSCI-610P Science of Sustainability: Syllabus (Fall 2009)

Course description:

The Brundtland Commission in 1987 defined "sustainability" as "meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." The Science of Sustainability course explores some of the major scientific issues behind our understanding of sustainability. Through lectures, readings, and discussions, the class will explore such issues as biodiversity, population, food and water resources, climate change, energy, public health, and the overall forecast for the environment and the human condition for the next several decades. Students will gain a greater appreciation of how science can inform the policies and practices that will shape a more sustainable future.

Instructor information:

Dr. Damon A. Chaky
Associate Professor, Department of Math and Science

URL: http://pratt.edu/~dchaky
E-mail: dchaky@pratt.edu
Phone: 718-636-3762
    x 3762 from the Brooklyn campus

Office: ARC Lower Level G-43
Office Hours:
    Monday 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
    Wednesday 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
    OR BY APPOINTMENT

E-mail is the best (and preferred) way to reach me for a question or to schedule an appointment outside of class.

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Class meeting time:

Tuesday 5:30 pm – 7:50 pm in Higgins Hall South, Room 416 213

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Course goals:

By taking this course, you will...

• become familiar with some of the major scientific issues behind our understanding of "sustainability"
• develop an understanding of how scientific methods are used to construct ecological / environmental knowledge
• become familiar with some of the major ecological / environmental challenges facing the Earth today, and the important research which needs to be done to address these concerns
• gain a greater appreciation of how science can inform policies that will shape a sustainable future
• recognize some of the limits of our knowledge when predicting how modern industrial methods and technology will affect the human condition and the sustainability of the natural environment
• develop a deeper understanding of how human development impacts natural systems
• become familiar with the ecological justifications for sustainable practices in building and design

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Learning objectives:

By the end of this course, you should be able to...

• address issues of environmental concern using qualitative and quantitative arguments
• describe the major natural and anthropogenic factors that can influence our climate, and have a general sense of our level of scientific understanding of each; apply your knowledge and propose/debate possible societal responses to global climate change
• use qualitative and quantitative arguments to address issues of resource conservation and the pursuit of alternative energy technologies
• understand global/national trends in resource consumption, and apply your knowledge to describe how society might adapt as resources run out
• describe and debate some of the major ecological issues relating to the current and future human condition, e.g. ecosystem services, agricultural systems, the management of reserves, the growth of cities, and the management of common resources
• understand and describe the major ideas of population and community ecology, biodiversity, climate change, and resource management as they relate to sustainability
• describe how human health may be impacted by toxic materials, and describe what factors contribute to toxicity
• identify specific ways in which natural or anthropogenic activity might influence natural systems
• describe the ecological basis of "green" movements in design and architecture
• describe and debate the strategies by which a more sustainable future can actually be achieved.

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Course content:

Consult the course website (http://LMS.pratt.edu) for the readings that accompany each week's material. To protect copyright, you will need to authenticate with a username and password to gain access to readings and some assignment materials.

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Course requirements:

Textbooks, readings, and materials:

• You do not have to purchase any reading material for this course. All required readings will be available through the course website on Pratt's LMS system (http://LMS.pratt.edu)
   
  Course readings will include book chapters, government reports, articles from peer-reviewed journals (e.g., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Science, Nature), mass-market science periodicals (e.g. Scientific American, National Geographic Magazine), and recent articles in the popular press. These articles will be posted as PDFs or made otherwise accessible from the main course site. To protect copyright, you will need to authenticate with a username and password to gain access to readings.
   
  

Projects(s), paper(s), assignment(s)

• Readings (available on the website) are to be read BEFORE coming to class.
• There will be a short quiz at the beginning of class each week to test your understanding of the readings and the preceding course material.
• Participation is heavily weighted in this course. All students are expected to contribute to classroom discussion at every class meeting.
• Two reflection papers are required. A project (e.g. a painting, video essay, animation, etc.) may be substituted for one or both paper(s) with prior approval. Expectations and assessment guidelines will be posted on the course website in advance of the due date. Expectations and assessment guidelines will be posted on the course website in advance of the due date.
• A final presentation and critique in week 13 of the course (guidelines to be posted)
• A comprehensive final exam will be given in class during the last week of the semester (Week 15).

Assessment and Grading:

• 15% Weekly quizzes
• 15% Participation
• 30% Reflection papers/projects (each is worth 15% of the overall course grade)
• 20% Final presentation and critique (Week 13, in class)
• 20% Final exam (Week 15, in class)

There are NO opportunities for extra credit.

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Policies:

• Students must adhere to all Institute-wide policies listed in the Bulletin under "Community Standards" and which include policies on attendance, academic integrity, plagiarism, computer, and network use. Please see http://www.pratt.edu/policies (click on Judicial Procedures) for policies and procedures for handling academic conduct issues.
• Those who require special accommodations for disabilities must obtain clearance from the Office of Disability Services at the beginning of the semester. Please contact Mai McDonald, Disability Services Coordinator, in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, Main Building, Lower Level: 718-636-3711. See http://www.pratt.edu/disabilityservices/ for more information
• On-time attendance at each class meeting is expected. Partial attendance, i.e. lateness or early departure, will each count as one-half an absence if not excused in advance.
• Three absences will lower the final letter grade in the course by one full grade, four absences by two grades, and five absences will result in failure. If all absences are excused by Health and Counseling Services, special arrangements will be made.
• It is expected that students will check the course website (http://LMS.pratt.edu) to download readings, check guidelines for assignments, and check course announcements. To protect copyright, you will need to authenticate with a username and password to gain access to readings and some assignment materials.
• It is expected that students will obtain a Pratt e-mail address and check this mailbox for official course communication.
• Late assignments will be reduced by one full grade per each day late. Late assignments will only be accepted at the discretion of the instructor (i.e., in very unusual circumstances and/or arranged well in advance).

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