GEOL 3520
Environmental Issues
MWF 11:00 AM
BESC 1B75
Professor: Jim White 303 492-8437 or 303 492-5495
email: James.White@Colorado.edu
Office Hours: MWF Noon – 1PM or by appointment
Office: 246E BESC
This course explores where our energy comes from and the potential for future sources. As fossil fuels dominate our energy production, we will also investigate the hype and realities of climate change and greenhouse gases. We will consider these topics through the lenses of basic science, policy, politics, economics and ethics.
Grading
We will have three exams, a substantial homework, and occasional in-class quizzes. The first two exams are 25% each of your grade, the final exam is 30%. The homework (more information below) is 15%, and the quizzes total 5%.
Exam schedule
Exam 1: Friday, Feb 20
Exam 2: Friday, April 3
Final Exam: Tuesday, May 5, 7:30pm
Textbook
There is no textbook. We will read from the following online reports. You can download these for free, or read them online.
International Energy Outlook:
http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/ieo/index.html
IPCC 4th Assessment report:
http://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/ar4-syr.htm
All lectures are posted below as pdf files. They will be updated throughout the semester so check frequently.
Jamieson paper on climate ethics
Ruler of the World Homework
In this homework, you are designated as absolute ruler of the world in the year 2040 with the task of supplying the energy needed to run the world. The class will decide on how the world will look at that time in terms of energy use per capita. Check here for information on due date, downloads, etc.
Need this information as a PDF
file on your computer?
Click on the link below for a PDF file of the course outline, texts and readings, and grading.
Important Course Policies:
If you know that you will miss an exam, see me BEFORE the date of the exam to arrange a make-up.
If you miss a quiz and have a valid reason, see me as soon as possible after the missed quiz to discuss getting credit for the quiz (depending on the reason for the absence). Once the next quiz or exam is given, I will not give any credit for a missed quiz or exam.
If
you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a
letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs be
addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented
disabilities. Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and
http://www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices
If
you have a temporary medical condition or injury, see guidelines at
http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices/go.cgi?select=temporary.html
Disability
Services' letters for students with disabilities indicate legally mandated
reasonable accommodations. The syllabus statements and answers toFrequently
Asked Questions can be found at
http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices
Campus
policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort
to deal reasonably and fairly with all students who, because of religious
obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required
attendance. In this class, if you
need to miss a lecture please inform me in advance. If you need to reschedule
an exam, please see me at least a week in advance.
See
full details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html
Students
and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning
environment. Those who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be
subject to discipline. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially
important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of
race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender, gender variance,
and nationalities. Class rosters
are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. I will gladly
honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun.
Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make
appropriate changes to my records.
See policies at
http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html
and at
http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html
- student_code
The
University of Colorado at Boulder policy on Discrimination and Harassment, the
University of Colorado policy on Sexual Harassment and the University of
Colorado policy on Amorous Relationships apply to all students, staff and
faculty. Any student, staff or
faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject of sexual harassment or discrimination
or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability,
creed, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the
Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of
Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550.
Information about the ODH, the above referenced policies and the campus
resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or
harassment can be obtained at http://www.colorado.edu/odh
All
students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing
and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations
of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication,
lying, bribery, and threatening behavior.
All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code
Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-735-2273). Students who are found to be in
violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic
sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not
limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information
on the Honor Code can be found at