Please note that the contents of this course may be revised or modified by
the instructor as deemed necessary, and you are responsible for keeping up
with any changes.
Justification for Four Credit Hours
In addition to the fact sheet, book review, and research project, students
are required to spend at least two hours every week to read and browse news
sites to learn and document events relevant to environmental policy. Students
are required to have one entry for each week in an annotated webliography
log. In addition, you are expected to incorporate analysis of the news content
in your paper and other assignments. I will be available if you need assistance,
have questions, concerns, comments, or want to explore related topics.
Course Format
The course format will include lecture, discussion, and oral presentation.
Videos and guest speakers will be utilized when appropriate. Throughout the
semester students will be asked to attend lectures and conferences relevant
to the topics covered in the course.
Reading Material
Students may purchase the following texts from the bookstore:
1. Robert D. Bullard, Dumping in Dixie: Race, Class, and Environmental
Quality, 3rd Edition, Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press, 2000.
2. Michael E. Kraft, Environmental Policy and Politics, 3rd
Edition, New York: Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers Inc. /Longman, 2004.
3. Daniel Nierenberg, Correcting Gender Myopia: Gender Equity Women’s
Welfare, and the Environment, Washington D.C.: Worldwatch Institute,
2002
All other required reading material will be placed on reserve in the library.
Students interested in pursuing various topics beyond the content of the assigned
readings are encouraged to contact me for more recommended reading.
I. Ecopolitics: An Emerging
Worldview
1.
Environmental Problems and Politics
Readings:
Michael E. Kraft, Environmental Policy and Politics, 3rd Edition,
Chapter 1
Alan Durning, “How Much is Enough?” in Ken Conca & Geoffrey
D. Dabelko, ed. 1998. Green Planet Blues: Environmental Politics from
Stockholm to Kyoto. 2nd Edition. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, PP. 273-278
Videos: “Connection”; “The Power of One”; “Mother”;
“Neighbor”
II. The
State of the Environment: Air, Water, and Land
Readings:
Michael E. Kraft, Environmental Policy and Politics, 3rd Edition,
Chapter 2
III. The Political Process
Readings:
Michael E. Kraft, Environmental Policy and Politics, 3rd Edition,
Chapters 3 & 4
IV. Dilemmas of Environmental
Protection Policy: Controlling Pollution
Readings:
Michael E. Kraft, Environmental Policy and Politics, 3rd Edition,
Chapters 5 & 6
1. Do Environmental Hormone Mimics Pose a
Potentially Serious Health Threat?
Readings:
Yes: Theo Colborn, Dianne Dumanoski, and John Peterson Myers,
“Hormone Imposters,” in Theodore D. Goldfarb, Taking Sides:
Clashing Views on Controversial Environmental Issues, 9th Edition, PP.196-200
No: Stephen H. Safe, “Environmental and
Dietary Estrogens and Human Health: Is there a Problem?” in Theodore
D. Goldfarb, Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Environmental
Issues, 9th Edition, PP. 201-209
Video: “Fooling Nature”
2. Is the Environmental
Protection Agency’s Decision to Tighten Air Quality Standards for Ozone
and Particulate Justified?
Readings:
Yes: Carol M. Browner, Statement Before the Committee on
Environment and Public Works, U.S. Senate, in Theodore D. Goldfarb, Taking
Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Environmental Issues, 9th Edition,
PP. 214-224
No: Daniel B. Menzel, Statement Before the Subcommittee
on Clean Air, Wetlands, Private Property and Nuclear Safety, Committee on
Environment and Public Works, U.S. Senate, in Theodore D. Goldfarb, Taking
Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Environmental Issues, 9th Edition,
PP. 225-233
3. Does Environmental
Regulation Unnecessarily Limit Private Property Rights?
Readings
Yes: Bruce Yandle, “Property Rights and Constitutional
Order: Paradoxes and Environmental Regulation,” in Theodore D. Goldfarb,
Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Environmental Issues,
9th Edition, PP. 82-88
No: Doug Harbrecht, “A Question of Property
Rights and Wrongs,” in Theodore D. Goldfarb, Taking Sides: Clashing
Views on Controversial Environmental Issues, 9th Edition, PP. 89-93
4. Municipal Waste:
Is Recycling an Environmentally and Economically Sound Waste Management Strategy?
Readings:
Yes: Richard A. Denison and John F. Ruston, “Recycling
Is Not Garbage,” in Theodore D. Goldfarb, Taking Sides: Clashing
Views on Controversial Environmental Issues, 9th Edition, PP. 258-264
No: Chris Hendrickson, Lester Lave, and Francis
McMichael, “Time to Dump Recycling?” in Theodore D. Goldfarb,
Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Environmental Issues,
9th Edition, PP. 265-272
5. Hazardous Waste:
Should the “Polluter Pays” Provision of Superfund Be Weakened?
Readings:
Yes: Bernard J. Reilly, “Stop Superfund Waste,”
in Theodore D. Goldfarb, Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial
Environmental Issues, 9th Edition, PP. 240-247
No: Ted Williams, “The Sabotage of Superfund,”
in Theodore D. Goldfarb, Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial
Environmental Issues, 9th Edition, PP. 248-254
V. Environmental Justice
Readings:
Robert D. Bullard, Dumping in Dixie: Race, Class, and Environmental Quality,
3rd Edition, Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press, 2000.
U.S General Accounting Office, Siting of Hazardous Waste Landfills and Their
Correlation with Racial and Economic Status of Surrounding Communities, Washington,
D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1983.
Commission for Racial Justice, United Church of Christ, Toxic Waste &
Race in the United States, New York: Public Data Access, Inc. 1987.
President Clinton Executive Order 12898, “Federal Actions to Address
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low Income Populations,”
February 11, 1994
Robert Bullard, 2000 Directory: People of Color Environmental Groups, Atlanta:
Environmental Justice Resource Center, 2000
A. Case
Studies:
1. National
Readings:
Jonathan Lifland, “Hidden in the Soil: Residents Seek Answers for PCB
Contamination,” in Anniston Star, 5/16/1999.
Russ Henderson, “A Costly Cleanup: Officials Predict Removal of PCBs
from Local Waterways Will Be Expensive,” in Anniston Star,
6/20/1999
Richard Raeke, “PCBs found in Soil near Mall,” in Anniston
Star, 7/20/1999
Katherine R. Dougan, “500 Citizens and PCBs,” in Anniston
Star, 2/18/2000
Katherine R. Dougan, “Area’s Industrial History Guides EPA soil
sampling,” in the Anniston Star, 3-23-2000
Katherine R. Dougan, “ADEM and PCBs: Questions linger Over the Role
of Agency,” in Anniston Star, 6/18/2000
Richard Raeke, “Anniston Undergoes Superfund Evaluation,” in Anniston
Star, 9/29/2000
Jenniver McCullars, “Agency Seeks Comment on Western Anniston PCB Study,”
in Anniston Star, 11/22/2000
Richard Raeke, “Report: PCB Remedies Will Depend on Site,” in
Anniston Star, 1/7/2001
Nathan Solheim, “Anniston City Council Holds Open Meeting to Discuss
Environment,” in Anniston Star, 2/2/2001
Elizabeth Bluemink, “EPA Researches Effects of Industry on Anniston,”
in Anniston Star, 2/25/2001
Elizabeth Bluemink, “Medical Monitoring Case Heads to Top Court,”
in Anniston Star, 3/6/2001
Elizabeth Bluemink, “ADEM Begins More Extensive Testing,” in Anniston
Star, 3/16/2001
Elizabeth Bluemink, “State Justices Return Monsanto Cases to Calhoun,”
in Anniston Star, 3/27/2001
Elizabeth Bluemink, “PCB Contamination Case against Monsanto Open in
Birmingham,” in Anniston Star, 4/3/2001
Elizabeth Bluemink, “County Officials Seek Reply to Their Health Study
Request,” in Anniston Star, 4/19/2001
Elizabeth Bluemink and Darv Johnson, “Solutia to Pay $40 Million in
PCB Case,” in Anniston Star, 4/25/2001
Elizabeth Bluemink, “PCB Lawsuit Denied Class Action,” in Anniston
Star, 5/8/2001
Elizabeth Bluemink, “Elevated PCB Levels in Fish Prompt New State Advisory,”
in Anniston Star, 5/12/2001
Elizabeth Bluemink, “JSU Professor Aims to Expand Water Testing,”
in Anniston Star, 5/14/2001
Editorial, “Brownfields: Recycling the Land,” in Anniston
Star, 6/7/2001
Jesse Bogan, “Brownfield Grant Will Assess Clean-Up,” in Anniston
Star, 6/5/2001
Elizabeth Bluemink, “Change of Venue Ordered in PCB Trial,” in
Anniston Star, 6/9/2001
Margaret Williams, “Relocating from ‘Mount Dioxin’,”
in 2000 Directory: People of Color Environmental Groups, pp.22-23
Gary Grant, “Black Farmers Win Racism Settlement against USDA,”
in 2000 Directory: People of Color Environmental Groups, pp.24-25
Hazel Johnson, “Surviving Chicago’s ‘Toxic Doughnut’,”
in 2000 Directory: People of Color Environmental Groups, pp. 26-27
Emelda West, “St. James Citizens Defeat Shintech,” in 2000 Directory:
People of Color Environmental Groups, pp.28-29
Susana R. Almanza and Sylvia Herrera, “The Color Purple and Land Use
Politics in East Austin,” in 2000 Directory: People of Color Environmental
Groups, pp.30-31
Rose Augustine, “Tucsonians Fight for a Clean Environment,” in
2000 Directory: People of Color Environmental Groups, pp.32-33
Carlos Porras, “La Causa,” in 2000 Directory: People of Color
Environmental Groups, pp.34-35
Roy Mardis, “CANT Defeats Uranium Enrichment Plant,” in 2000 Directory:
People of Color Environmental Groups, pp.36-37
Philip M. Klasky, “Native Americans and Environmentalists Derail Ward
Valley Nuclear Dump,” in 2000 Directory: People of Color Environmental
Groups, pp.38-39
Peggy Shepard, “Transit Justice in West Harlem,” in 2000 Directory:
People of Color Environmental Groups, pp.40-41
Geoff Ray, “L.A.’s Bus Riders Union Rolls over Transit Racism,”
in 2000 Directory: People of Color Environmental Groups, pp.42-43
Sarah J. Peisch, “Pesticides in the Barrio: The Case of Guayanilla,
Puerto Rico,” in 2000 Directory: People of Color Environmental Groups,
pp.44-45
Helen Sunhee Kim, “Environmental and Economic Justice for Immigrant
Women Workers,” in 2000 Directory: People of Color Environmental Groups,
pp.46-47
Jolani Hironaka, “Silicon Valley Workers Win Justice for Rodrigo Cruz,”
in 2000 Directory: People of Color Environmental Groups, pp.48-49
Pamela K. Miller, “The War against Military Toxics in Alaska,”
in 2000 Directory: People of Color Environmental Groups, pp.50-51
Margie Richard, “Environmental Justice Leaders Plead Their Case at the
United Nations,” in 2000 Directory: People of Color Environmental Groups,
pp.52-53
2. International
Readings:
Fatemeh Shafiei, “Bhopal,” in Global Ecopolitics the Looming Crisis
and the Role of Transnational Corporations, dissertation, 1990.
Russell Mokhiber, “Bhopal,” Corporate Crime and Violence:
Big Business Power and the Abuse of the Public Trust, San Francisco:
Sierra Club Books, 1988, pp86-96.
Timothy H. Holtz, “Tragedy without End: The 1984 Bhopal Gas Disaster,”
in Jim Yong King, Joyce V. Millen, and et. al., eds., Dying for Growth:
Global Inequality and the Health of the Poor, Monroe, Maine: Common Courage
Press, 2000, pp245-259.
Segun Gbadegesin, “Multinational Corporations, Developed Nations, and
Environmental Racism: Toxic Waste, Oil Exploration, and Eco-Catastrophe,”
in Laura Westra & Bill E. Lawson Eds., Faces of Environmental Racism:
Confronting Issues of Global Justice, 2nd Edition, New York: Rowman &
Littefield Publishers, Inc., 2001, pp. 187-202
Hussein M. Adam, “Somalia: Environmental Degradation and Environmental
Racism,” in Laura Westra & Bill E. Lawson Eds., Faces of Environmental
Racism: Confronting Issues of Global Justice, 2nd Edition, New York:
Rowman & Littefield Publishers, Inc., 2001, pp. 203-228
Videos:
“Just Transportation”
“Laid to Waste: A Chester Neighborhood Fights for its Future”
“Prism #64…And Justice for All”
“Global Dumping Ground”
“Drum Beat for Mother Earth: Persistent Organic Pollutants Threatening
Indigenous Peoples,” Greenpeace
VI. Gender and Environment
Readings:
Daniel Nierenberg, Correcting Gender Myopia: Gender Equity Women’s
Welfare, and the Environment, Washington D.C.: Worldwatch Institute,
2002
R. J. A. Goodland, “South Africa: Environmental Sustainability Needs
Empowerment of Women,” in Laura Westra & Bill E. Lawson Eds., Faces
of Environmental Racism: Confronting Issues of Global Justice, 2nd Edition,
New York: Rowman & Littefield Publishers, Inc., 2001, pp. 229-247
Celene Krauss, “Women of Color on the Front Line,” in John S.
Dryzek & David Schlosberg, ed. 1998. Debating the Earth: The Environmental
Politics Reader, New York: Oxford University Press, PP. 493-503
Video: "World Population"
VII. Evaluating Environmental Policy
Readings:
Michael E. Kraft, Environmental Policy and Politics, 3rd Edition,
Chapter 7
VIII. Toward Survival
Readings:
Michael E. Kraft, Environmental Policy and Politics, 3rd Edition,
Chapter 8
Paul Hawken, “Natural Capitalism,” Mother Jones, March/April
1997.
Course Calendar
February 2
Research Project Topic Due
February 9
Annotated webliography & author, title of the book selected for review
are due
February 16
Annotated webliography
February 23
Annotated webliography
March 1
Annotated webliography and Exam # 1
March 15
Book Review is due
March 22
Annotated webliography and Fact Sheet are due
March 29
Annotated webliography
April 5
Exam # 2
April 26
Paper Presentations