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 textbook is Wolfson,
ÒEnergy Environment and ClimateÓ. We will also read from the following online
reports. You can download these for free, or read them online.
Annual
Energy Report (US DOE):
International
Energy Outlook (US DOE):
http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/ieo/index.html
IPCC 4th
Assessment report:
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.
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