(5/9) - Final Grades are now posted.  Enjoy your summer!

(4/25) - Next week (4/30) we will have your paper presentations.  You will each present your own paper.  Try to keep your presentation to no more than 12 minutes so we have time for questions after each presentation.  Your paper is due by May 7th at 6:30 PM. 

(4/25) - The Take Home final exam is now posted.  It is also due by May 7th at 6:30 PM.  Be sure to sign and attach the honor pledge. 

(4/23) - Tonight is our last class before paper presentations next week (4/30).  Since you will present your own paper, a draft paper is not required for tonight's class (4/23).  However, I encourage you to swap papers with your classmates and get comments before and after your presentations next week.  Your paper will be due on May 7th at 6:30 PM.  Tonight (4/23) we will discuss the readings on reforming the environmental governance system. 

(4/9) - This week (4/9) we will continue discussing the readings on the different policy instruments used to implement environmental policies and programs.  We will also discuss the Global Warming issue and your memos are due.

(4/9) - Next week (4/16) we will discuss the readings on evaluating environmental policies and program.  We will also discuss the book review critiques that are due. 

(4/2) - This week's class (4/2) we will continue discussing the readings about the different rationales  for government intervention in addressing environmental problems and the different policy instruments that can be used to address environmental problems.  We will continue this discussion the following week (4/9) as well and your memos for the Global Warming issue are also due. 

(4/2) - The book review deadline has been moved to 4/16.  

(3/12) - There will be no class this week (3/12) because of Spring Break.  There will also be no class next week (3/19) so you can work on your papers.  Our next class will be 3/26.  We will continue our discussion of common pool resources (CPRs) and other rationales for government intervention in addressing environmental problems.  Memo #5 on Nuclear Power is also due. 

(2/30) - Next week (3/5) we'll discuss the readings on common pool resources (CPRs) and Garret Hardin's classic article warning about the Tragedy of the Commons.  We will also do a CPR simulation at the start of class designed to get you thinking about the issues associated with the Tragedy of the Commons.  Memo #4 on commercial fishing is also due as are any revised versions of Memo #3. 

(2/30) - In case you were not aware, Dr. Seuss' The Lorax is designed to serve as a warning about the Tragedy of the Commons. The movie version of The Lorax opens this weekend, perhaps a field trip is in order?

(2/24) - Next week (2/27) we will discuss the readings related to the role of science in the public policy process.  Your paper proposal/abstract is due.  Be prepared to give a short overview of what you will be writing about at the start of class.  Memo #3 on Human Activity and Global Warming is also due. 

(2/15) - Next week (2/20) we will continue discussing the readings on the public policy process.  We will also have a guest speaker, Sarah Gilliam, the coordinator of the Stop Titan Action Network, so you might want to familiarize yourself with that issue prior to her visit (Star News website).  Your second memo on Yucca Mountain is due and if you want to revise your first memo on ANWR, I will average the grades. 

(2/6) - Next week (2/13) we will begin discussing the readings on the policy process.  We will also being discussing the second memo assignment on Yucca Mountain so be sure you have done the readings on the assignment page.  However, the memo is not due until the following week (2/20).  We will also be having at least one guest speaker on 2/20, Sarah Gilliam, the coordinator of the Stop Titan Action Network, so you might want to familiarize yourself with that issue prior to her visit (Star News website). 

(1/31) - Next week (2/6) we will discuss the readings on federalism and the environment.  In addition to discussing the readings, we will also view a video the examines the introduction of the Grey Wolf from the standpoint of competing views of federalism.  Your first issue memo assignment on the Alaskan national wildlife refuge (ANWR) is also due.  When doing the readings, be sure to think about how your view of federalism influences your arguments in your memo. 

(1/26) - Next week (1/30) we will continue discussing the readings on value conflicts and conflicting human uses.  Be sure you are prepared to discuss the cases in the Layzner readings. 

(1/23) - The syllabus (Click here to Download) and course schedule have now been updated along with the rest of the website. 

(1/11) - Due to the Martin Luther King Holiday, our first class is January 23rd.  Be sure you are prepared to discuss the readings listed in the introduction and value conflicts topics pages.

(1/11) - Welcome to PLS 543 - Environmental Policy Analysis.  I will periodically post reminders and announcements so you should check the website frequently.  The syllabus for this class can be viewed on the website or can be downloaded by clicking here.  You should view the course schedule for dates that readings and assignments are due.  Please check the class web site and your email frequently as the course schedule may change.

(1/11) - Since this class involves a lot of writing, I advise you read this recent article in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management (JPAM) that has a number of useful writing tips (Download). This website also provides useful style guidelines  (Click here).