Instructor: Mr. R. D. Shew

Office: Deloach 121

Office Hours: T/Th: 11:00 – 12:00

T/Th: 3:30 – 5:00

Appts. Welcome

Email: shewr@uncw.edu

Phone: (910) 962-7676

Class Times: TTH – 9:30 – 10:45

Textbook: No Formal Textbook

Numerous handouts, books, and websites will be provided

It is expected that you will keep current on the news and issues globally, nationally, and locally

Objectives:

What is a Sustainable Society and the Issues associated with that topic? The definition is that we utilize our natural resources (our Earth) in such a way that we do not jeopardize the needs of future generations. The usual topics that are associated with the concept of a sustainable society are Energy, Forests, Soils/Food, and Other Resources (Minerals, Water, and Clean Air). However, it is obvious that a sustainable society must consider both the sources and amount of resources that are used. This part of the equation deals with geography and population, which also deal with economics, politics, and even religion. As you can see most everything we do has some component that is related to sustainability issues.

In this course we will consider the facts behind these topics but we will also consider the current and future uses of these resources and the implications/consequences of resource use from the global to the local scale. One example might be the use of grain products for biofuels. Is this sustainable? What are the pros and cons of this usage? One of the questions/exercises that we will pose and consider on most topics will be to develop a list of the pros and cons related to that issue from all viewpoints and then to make informed decisions. We want to go beyond the sound byte and develop the ability to make informed decisions but also to try and intelligently and respectfully inform others of those opinions. There are certainly global (developing country needs), national (election year), and local (cement factory, growth, sea level) issues for us to consider.

Attendance:

All classes are important, however, I do not take “OFFICIAL ROLL”. I believe that regular class attendance is really the only way to “master” the material. If you attend class, pay attention, and take notes during the classes your success is almost assured. I do take “UNOFFICIAL ROLL”. There will be short assignments or questions posed during some classes that will be part of the grade. Consequently, I strongly recommend that you attend class regularly. If you miss class because of an emergency or sickness (and you have a note from your Mom, Doctor, or President, preferably all three) I will try to provide any outside help necessary. Otherwise, Do not ask for notes from me or for make-up material. Good Surf, Bad Weather, Good Weather, and/or Partying are not legitimate excuses, nor is fall cool temperatures.

Grading:

There will be a Mid-Term and the Final Exam. There will also be small quizzes to make sure that you are keeping up with and processing the materials. The quizzes and tests will be at or close to the times specified so that you can plan for them. NO MAKE-UP TESTS unless you have an excused absence as defined above. And there will be no exceptions for taking the Final Exam at the time specified – NONE.

There will be one or several projects and one presentation during the semester. The project and presentation may or may not be on the same subject and we will consider joint and individual efforts. A list to spur your thoughts will be provided but in this as in all of the course I will be encouraging your own creativity. There are also two other “things” I want us to try though we will see how time works. I will definitely want to take a field trip that will serve to illustrate our natural systems here in southeastern N.C. and we will discuss that early in the semester as well – timing and location. The other project is to design a Service Project Component for this class as I consider service to be one of our most important duties and learnings.

Grades: Mid-Term - 30%

Final Exam - 35% (1/4 will be cumulative from first ½ of semester – the big issues)

Assignments/Participation - 35% (includes quizzes, assignments, projects, presentations, field trips, public service, etc.; more info

will be given on this during the semester)

Field Trip to observe Biodiversity, Development Issues, Forestry, and Soils is Required

Academic Honor Code:

It is UNC-W’s stated policy that ‘no form of academic dishonesty will be tolerated by its students or faculty’. I take this very seriously and it applies to plagiarism, copying, and all forms of cheating. Complete details of the code are in the current Student Handbook.

UNCW practices a zero-tolerance policy for violence and harassment of any kind. For emergencies contact UNCW CARE at 962-2273, Campus Police at 962-3184, or Wilmington Police at 911. For University or community resources visit http://uncw.edu/wrc/crisis.htm.”

Etiquette:

NO cell phones or players are acceptable (turn them off before class), nor is a running dialogue w/ your neighbor. These will not be allowed during lecture or testing. In addition, laptops are fine but not for checking email or running other programs/chatting during the lecture. It disturbs those around you - and me.

Tentative Schedule The topic order is subject to change based on current events and also on how excited we get about a topic. In addition the insertion of a field trip and project will substitute for one or more of these class dates and topics.
Dates	TOPIC
8/21	Introduction / Definitions
8/26	Population
8/28	Population
9/2	Energy
9/4	Energy (Types and Alternatives)
9/9	Energy (Types and Alternatives)
9/11	Energy (Types and Alternatives)
9/16	Quiz: Population and Energy and Talking
9/18	Soils and Forests
9/23	Soils and Forests
9/25	Water (Surface and groundwater)
9/30	Water (Surface and groundwater)
10/2	Local Rules and Regulations and Issues
10/7	Fall Break	Have Fun
10/9	Mid-Term: Energy, Population, Soils, Forest, and Water	Good Luck
10/14	Project Discussion (What is Expected and Summary)
10/16	Air Issues
10/21	Air Issues
10/23	Climate (What is it?)
10/28	Climate Change Issues
10/30	Climate Change Issues – What would you vote for?
11/4	Climate Change Issues	Vote
11/6	Quiz: Air and Climate and Talking
11/11	Local Issues and More
11/13	Local Issues and More
11/18	Group Work (Develop summaries of a topic)
11/20	Presentations and Summaries
11/25	Presentations and Summaries
11/27	Thanksgiving
12/2	Sustainable Society Review and Questions
12/4	Reading Day	Study
12/9	FINAL EXAM: 8 - 11	Good Luck