ESP 800: PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLICY

Offered: Annual - to be taught next in Spring 2012
Wednesday 11:30 a.m. - 2:20 p.m.
273 Giltner Hall
Dr. Louie Rivers (riversl@msu.edu)and Dr. Laura Schmitt-Olabisi (schmi420@msu.edu
Informational Flyer

This team-taught course provides a broad overview of scholarship areas and key research questions in the intersection of environmental science and policy. It explores the core concepts and research methods of multiple disciplines involved in policy-relevant environmental research with readings and presentations from scholars from MSU and visiting institutions. Students will learn basic concepts of interdisciplinary research, and develop a basic understanding of typical research methods and analytical techniques that will facilitate effective communication with members of different disciplines. A series of interdisciplinary MSU research teams visit the course over the semester to discuss their research and address topics related to facilitating interdisciplinary teamwork and translation of science into policy. Research team speakers for 2011 included: Mark Axelrod, John Beck, David Bidwell, Tom Dietz, Carole Gibbs, Ric Hula, Dan Kramer, Joan Rose, David Skole, Sieglinde Snapp, Scott Swinton, Paul Thompson, Suzanne Thornsbury, Jerry Urquhart, and Julie Winkler.

Students enrolled in the ESP program prior to Fall 2010 may opt to take ESP 803 (described at bottom) instead of ESP 800. (However, a student may not count both ESP 803 and ESP 800 toward the four-course program requirement.)

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AN INTERDISCIPLINARY ENVIRONMENTAL NATURAL SCIENCE AND POLICY CLASS

Options are ESP 801 or one of two courses identified as possible alternatives: ENE 801 and ZOL/FW/PLB 897. Each course addresses a range of natural science disciplines, with a link to policy. (ESPP students may wish to speak directly with the instructors of these courses to assure that the selected alternative is appropriate for the student's specific background.)

ESP 801: Physical, Chemical and Biological Processes of the Environment
Fall (annual) | M,W,F 1:00- 1:50 p.m. | 273 Giltner Hall
Dr. Tom Voice and Dr. Dave Long (voice@msu.edu, long@msu.edu)
Informational Flyer | Syllabus
New approach for 2011: Understanding the science behind current environmental policy questions.
This year, ESP 801 will be structured around a detailed examination of a series of current environmental issues, and with the goal of understanding what the science can and cannot contribute to environmental policy discussions, and ultimately, management decisions. Each week, we will examine a specific issue selected from a broad range of environmental concerns including endangered species, climate change, sustainable development, water quality, energy resources, toxic substances, air pollution, ecosystem stability, environmental and occupational health, and agriculture. More information is on the flyer.

ENE 801: Dynamics of Environmental Systems
Spring (annual) | M,W,F 10:20 - 11:10 a.m.
Dr. Phanikumar Mantha (phani@msu.edu)
Course Web site
Our objective in this course is to understand the principles of reaction kinetics, mass transfer and reactor theory as applied to environmental science and engineering. We will develop the expertise to model environmental systems and to solve systems of differential equations that often arise from the application of the above principles. Our approach is to understand the physical and chemical principles first and then translate that understanding into the language of mathematics and into working models. Students are expected to have a good background in mathematics (including calculus, differential equations and linear algebra) and computers.

ZOL/FW/ PLB 897: Ecosystem Ecology and Global Change
Spring | T, Th 10:20 - 12:10 p.m. (odd years - independent study may be available in alternate years - please contact instructor)
Dr. Steve Hamilton (hamilton@kbs.msu.edu)
Informational Flyer | Syllabus
An understanding of ecology at the ecosystem level provides the "big picture" that is essential to protect and manage ecosystems, particularly as we grapple with global environmental change. In this course, we study the fundamentals of ecosystem structure and function, including primary and secondary production, food webs, biogeochemical cycles, managed ecosystems, and ecosystem interactions with climate. Throughout the course topics are considered in the context of global change and the pervasive influences of human activity. Advanced undergraduates and lifelong education students may seek permission from the instructor to take this graduate course.

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AN INTERDISCIPLINARY ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIAL SCIENCE AND POLICY CLASS

Options are ESP 802 or one of three courses identified as possible alternatives: ACR 828, SOC 869, and FW 810. Each course contains a blend of social science perspectives: policy, economics, and behavior (e.g., sociology, anthropology, psychology).

ESP 802: Human Systems and the Environment
Spring (annual - but to be taught next in Spring 2013) | Th 9:10 a.m. - noon | 273 Giltner Hall
Dr. Bob Walker and Dr. Mike Kaplowitz (rwalker@msu.edu, kaplowit@msu.edu)
Informational Flyer | Syllabus
This course addresses human systems and environmental change at multiple scales from local to global. Materials covered explore linkages between natural and human systems, but focus primarily on human drivers of environmental and natural resource change and the social responses that such changes precipitate, including individual action, social movements, policy, legal and institutional responses. The course is designed for graduate students, especially those from the physical and life sciences, seeking to better understand the social forces giving rise to environmental problems as well as social responses taken to mitigate them.

ACR 828: Art and Craft of Public Policy Analysis
Spring (annual) | Tu 1:15- 4:40 |  
Dr. Pat Norris (norrisp@msu.edu)
Syllabus
This is an introductory course in public policy analysis. Theories and models for conducting public policy analysis and making research relevant for policy makers in specific political environments and power structures will be covered. Emphasis will be on natural resource policy. Values systems that underlie policy analysis and policy choices, ethics in policy analysis and implementation, and skillful communication between analysts and policy makers will be specific topics in the course. The underlying philosophy of the course will be that researchers can remain true to professional objectivity but, with careful analysis of the institutional setting within which policy is made, actively participate in policy conversations to create a demand for their work.

SOC 869: Community and Conservation
Fall (odd years) | Tu 1:50 - 4:40 |
Dr. Stephen Gasteyer (gasteyer@msu.edu)
Syllabus
This course aims to introduce students to the theories, concepts, and methodologies for analysis of the conservation activities and the role of communities within that process. We will look at the definition of community, the definition of conservation, and how we understand the dynamics and processes of each of these concepts. We will investigate these issues through looking at the literature around conservation in multiple sectors and contexts, many of which overlap, but are often in silos within disparate institutional and regulatory settings. These sectors include: energy conservation, water conservation, soil conservation, habitat conservation, biodiversity conservation. Our goal in this class is to move beyond questions of best practices and technologies to discussions of the systems and structures that make conservation possible; or do not.

FW 810: Human Dimensions of Fish and Wildlife Conservation and Management
Spring (even years) | W 10:20 - 1:10
Dr. Meredith Gore (gorem@msu.edu)
Syllabus
Quantitative and qualitative methods of involving the public in fish and wildlife management. Human dimensions research and current case studies. Sustaining and managing fish and wildlife depends on people, which means that wildlife professionals must understand people and their relationship to fish and wildlife. The rapidly growing science of human dimensions provides insight about people,including the who, what, where, when, and why for all those interested in or affected by natural resource decisions. The field is diverse and includes work on issues of values and demographics; the culture of wildlife management; working with communities; legal and institutional factors wildlife conflicts and disease; wildlife viewing, privatization, and trade; communication; education; and decision-making.

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A CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE

The Capstone Experience (3 credits) may involve taking a course or working in another collaborative setting. Key elements are interdisciplinarity, policy-relevance, and collaboration/ teamwork. Students must complete ESP 804, FW 868, or other experience (internship, other course, other collaboration) which results in a co-authored, interdisciplinary, policy-relevant paper. The paper may be academic or more of a policy-oriented white paper. At least two other specialization requirements should be completed before you take the capstone. Please have ESPP approve capstone plans, other than taking ESP 804 or FW 868, before you pursue them.

ESP 804: Environmental Applications and Analysis
Spring (annual) [Note change], time TBA
Dr. Arika Ligmann-Zielinska and Dr. Sandy Marquart-Pyatt, ligmannz@msu.edu, marqua41@msu.edu
This course provides the opportunity to apply knowledge learned in previous ESP courses. Global, regional and local environmental issues will be presented and explored. Class projects will be identified from these issues. Students will be assigned projects and will use a systems approach to identify and solve environmental problems associated with the assigned issues. This course is designed for graduate students with ecology, biology, physical, or social science backgrounds seeking an interdisciplinary, environmental science approach to problem solving.

FW 868: Water Policy and Management
Spring 2012, Fall 2013 | M, W 12:40 - 2:00 p.m.
Dr. Erin Dreelin, dreelin@msu.edu
Syllabus
Broadly speaking, the purpose of this course is to learn about water policy and management from the perspective of a scientist. You will learn about major US environmental laws related to water, such as the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act among others. However, water policy and management is more than just memorizing a set of laws. You will learn about the policy cycle, how agencies make regulations, how property rights and common law affect water management, how the courts have shaped water law and policy, and how science and policy interact (or don't). Many of you will go into careers in which you will interact with policymakers, this course is designed to give you a basic understanding of water policy and management as well as provide you with skills and knowledge that you can use in the future.

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