Ideally, students should complete reading assignments before class and be prepared to discuss the material. Note important dates and events listed. The readings for the course are "front-loaded" most of them are required before the midterm. This is designed to give you ample time to work on the research paper after the spring break
A. Introduction and Overview (Jan 27, 29, Feb 3)
– DSP
–defining public policy
–the policy-making process
–the evolution of environmentalism
Readings: Kraft; Ch 1, skim 4;
Smith, Ch 1 - 2.
Handout: Garrett Hardin "The Tragedy of the Commons"
Video: Preserving Our Global Environment
B. Rise of the Environmental Movement (Feb 5, 10)
-- conservation vs preservation. Is there a difference?
-- green decade
-- how deep the commitment to the environment
-- importance of interest groups
-- nationalization or federalization of environmental policy
Readings Kline, Chs. 1-10; special attention to Chs. 7-10.
Smith, Ch 2. pp. 15-19
Kraft, Ch 4, pp. 94-102
C. The Policy Cycle Model (Feb 10, 12,)
–stages in policy development
–how problems get defined and get on the agenda
–implementation, the missing link
Readings: Marzotto, Chs 1-4;
Kraft, Ch 3;
Smith, Ch 4, 3 (skim)
D. Advocacy Coalition Framework (Feb 12, 17)
–from iron triangles to policy subsystems
–interests and interest groups
Readings: Marzotto, Chs 1; Kraft, Ch 3;
E. Actors and Institutions (Feb 17, 19)
–Presidential Leadership or Lack of it
–EPA’s changing role
–Courts and law suits, unintended consequences
Readings: Kraft Ch 4, pp. 102-111, Ch 5, pp. 141-148; Ch 7. pp.
234-240;
Smith, Ch 4
F. Federalism and Environmental Policy (Feb 17, 19)
– who’s problem is it anyway?
– role of states and localities
– federal response or "Can we trust the states to protect the
environment?"
– trade-offs
– policy implementation revisited - who does what?
Readings: Marzotto, Chs 6-7;
Kraft, Ch 2, 5 (pp. 148-162);
Smith Ch 3 (re-read)
Video: People, Politics, and Pollution
Thursday, February 26th
Class meets in Cook Library Room 526
for "How to Research Paper Topic"
G. Environmental Values and Public Policy (March 4)
– attitudes towards the Environment
– core values vs competing values
– attitudes vs behavior
– environmental justice
– we are all environmentalists?
Readings: Kraft Ch 4
Smith, Ch 2, pp. 20-27
MARCH
9TH
Interest Group Presentations Begin
(March 11, 16 possibly longer but I hope not)
MARCH 21 - 27 SPRING BREAK -- HAVE FUN
H. Judging the State of the Environment
1. Air Quality (March 9, 31)
Readings: Marzotto, Ch 4; Kraft, Chs. 2, 5 (pp. 122 - 127), 7;
Smith, Ch 5
Recommended: Bryner-- Blue Skies, Green Politics: The Clean Air Act of 1990
Thursday APRIL 3, EXAM I
2. Water Quality (April 6, 8)
Readings: Smith, ch 6; Kraft, Ch 2 & 5 (pp. 127 - 132)
3. Toxic and Hazardous Waste (April 13 - 15)
Readings: Smith, Ch. 8, Kraft Ch 2 & 5 (pp. 132-141)
Recommended: Church & Nakamura–Cleaning up the Mess: Implementation
Strategies in Superfund
4. Land Management (April 20, 22)
Readings: Smith, Ch 9; Kraft Ch. 6 pp. 181-197
Recommended: Lowry – The Capacity for Wonder: Preserving National Parks
5. Energy (April 27 , 29)
-- renewable and nonrenewable
-- changing technology and our behavior
-- voluntary compliance
Readings: Smith, Ch 7; Kraft Ch 6; Marzotto, Ch 8
I. Sustainable Development/ International Issues (May 4, 6)
Readings: Kraft Ch 8; Smith Ch 10 &
11.
Video: Greenpacks and Greenbacks
J. Course Review (May 11)
May 11 Tuesday Research Papers Due
May 18,
Tuesday Final
Exam LI 114
12:30 - 2:30