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 29, Feb 5)
– 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, 12)
-- 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 12, 19)
–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 19)
–from iron triangles to policy subsystems
–interests and interest groups
Readings: Marzotto, Chs 1; Kraft, Ch 3;
E. Actors and Institutions (Feb 26)
–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
Thursday, February 26th
Class meets in Cook Library Room 526
for "How to Research Paper Topic"
F. Federalism and Environmental Policy (March 4)
– 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
G. Environmental Values and Public Policy (March 4, 11)
– 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
11TH
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 (March 18 - April 29)
1. Air Quality (March 18, April 8)
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 1, EXAM I
2. Water Quality (April , 8)
Readings: Smith, ch 6; Kraft, Ch 2 & 5 (pp. 127 - 132)
3. Toxic and Hazardous Waste (April 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 22)
Readings: Smith, Ch 9; Kraft Ch. 6 pp. 181-197
Recommended: Lowry – The Capacity for Wonder: Preserving National Parks
5. Energy (April 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 (April 29, May 6)
-- implementing international policy
-- UN Efforts
Readings: Kraft Ch 8, Smith, Ch 10 & 11
Video: Greenpacks and Greenbacks
J. Course Review (May 11)
May 6, Thurs Research Papers Due
May 13,
Thurs Final
Exam LI 115
6:00 - 8:40