1. Complete weekly reading assignments, reading comprehension questions, and
discuss and post comments through Canvas discussion forums accordingly (95
points)
Required reading assignments appear under weekly topics. You are expected to remain
current on the readings and provide substantive comments on them each week. To receive
full credit for reading comprehension and discussion questions, students must
demonstrate an understanding of the assigned material reading by referencing material in
their threads.
ONLINE students are expected to actively participate through online discussion threads
on the Canvas site for this course. For online discussions, I will post specific questions
each week for your consideration and comment.
2. Social Engagement Activity (35 points)
Due July 8
Students are required to pick one of the following activities to participate in a natural
resource management issue that interests them and for which they want to find out more:
• Interview a director of a non-profit/non-governmental organization that is
involved in activism, whether through litigation or lobbying. Find out why they
got involved in their issue and why they think they are making a difference.
Submit one page minimum summarizing the interview.
• Interview a public lands manager. Find out about their background and what they
like/dislike about their position. How do they approach the controversies and
conflicts that come with managing public land? Submit one page minimum
summarizing the interview.
• Participate in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) public process for
an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
For example, most EAs and all EISs prepared by the federal government require a
public comment period. Read the EA or EIS and submit substantive comments to
the lead agency. Submit a copy of the comments.
• Listen to a live or archived broadcast of a House or Senate Committee Hearing on
a bill effecting public land policy. Most environmental legislation passes through
the following committees:
o House Committee on Natural Resources:
http://naturalresources.house.gov/4
o Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources
http://www.energy.senate.gov/public/
Live or archived hearings can be found on these websites. Submit a minimum
one-page write up on what the issue the hearing was on, the federal agency’s
position, and what type of comments and questions the witnesses received from
elected officials. What was the tone of the meeting?
3. Comprehensive final exam.
Due August 16 (70 points)
Minimum of 10 pages typed double-spaced of narrative; this does not include title page,
table of contents, illustrations, literature cited, etc.
The purpose of this exam is to demonstrate your ability to analyze the materials covered
in this class--it is your chance to show off what you have learned in this class. You will
do this by researching an environmental issue that you’re interested in; though the class
has focused on western public land issues, you may choose any issue related to natural
resource management. The research paper must include the following components:
1. Clearly define the issue from a historical perspective (e.g. why is it an issue, what
policies and regulations are pertinent to the issue, etc.)
2. What is the current standing of the issue (e.g. who are the major players involved;
what are the on-going planning, administrative, or legislative efforts to resolve the
issue, what are the controversies surrounding the issue, etc.)
3. In what direction is the issue headed in the future, (e.g. are the major players
involved progressing towards a resolution. If so, why. If not, develop some
strategic ideas of how it could be resolved; where is the resolution; what type of
leadership needs to occur, etc.)
In order to receive full credit for the final exam, you must include references to at least
two (preferably more) principles and theories learned throughout the semester as they
pertain to your research topic. References to the theories and principles discussed in
class should include material from the required reading, supplemental readings,
websites, class lectures, etc.; be comprehensive. All material in your answers that
comes from sources other than your own head must be referenced. Information from
printed sources should be referenced with the name of the author and the page number
where it was found.
The key to success on the final take-home exam should be when I’m finished reading
your research, I should be able to comfortably say that you have been fully engaged in
the class, critically read all required reading, and can to synthesize and utilize that
information in a coherent way as it relates to an environmental issue.
Use the websites referenced at the end of the syllabus if you need help finding a topic.
Please contact me if you need additional help finding a topic to research.