EnvS 595:  Research Seminar in the
Human Dimensions of Environmental Systems.

I. Introduction.

This class is an interdisciplinary research seminar of HDES faculty and students interested in the interaction of humans and the environment.  We subscribe to a broad definition of direction in both concepts.  We respect all approaches and disciplines, and actively seek an interdisciplinary understanding of the interdependence of humans and their environments.  We look at how the environment influences humans and how we influence the environment.  The public seminars are designed to foster a broad interdisciplinary discussion of research and to stimulate broad, multidiscipline, multi-method inquiry and interest about our human interactions with the various environments in which we exist.  Small group workshops provide peer feedback and support among HDES participants.  We are intentionally interdisciplinary. We appreciate and foster all approaches and methodologies. Interdisciplinary communication and inquiry enriches our our own work as well as that of others.  Small groups are kept interdisciplinary in order to help each of us address a broad audience as well to enrich our work with the insights of other approaches.  I have designed the small groups so that multiple disciplines and approaches to similar questions will be represented.

Pleases feel free to stop by my (Michael's) office at any time.  I ask only that you not be offended if I am busy when you drop in. If I am free I am more than happy to talk with you; if not, I promise to make an appointment for a more convenient time.  In return, I ask that you try to keep your appointments.

II. Course Podcast.

The audio and any video or Powerpoint files from the guest lectures and student presentations given in class will be posted at  http://podcast.ics.uiuc.edu/blog/EnvS595/ (assuming the presenters approve). I hope you will be able to attend every week; this is offered as imperfect supplement to those with an interest but who could not attend.

II. Course Requirements.

Public Seminars.

Students receiving HDES funding will offer one presentation during the term. Any and all other students are urged to offer a presentation of their work as well. Presentations typically involve ongoing research and afford you and the audience the opportunity to discuss your work in safe, nonjudgmental and welcoming environment.

Students will prepare the room for the presentation on the days of the public seminars.  They shall set up projectors, arrange tables and chairs, pick up the refreshments, etc.

Presentations will be 15-20 minutes, followed by 40-45 minutes of discussion.

Following the seminar, students will return the room to its original arrangement.

Students will write a commentary (1-2 pages) on the presentation. The basic format of these commentaries is as follows:

Begin with a one sentence statement or summary encapsulating the main point of the presenter's work.

Comments about the work, including discussions of the strengths of the work, ways the work might be improved, and ways the work relates to other investigations and findings.

A conclusion about how the presenters work or implications of the work may apply to broader questions, including your own, those of others in the class, or the discipline.

Commentaries are due by 5:00 pm the following Monday.

Commentaries will be forwarded to the presenter, and you might address your comments to the presenter.

Commentaries will be graded on a S/U basis. You will definitely hear from me before you receive an unsatisfactory grade, and you will be offered the opportunity to rewrite/clarify/improve your commentary.

Students will be permitted to "skip" writing a commentary on one presentation per semester.

Small Group Workshops.

Each small group will have one discussion leader each week.  The discussion leader will determine the question under discussion that week and will lead the group in covering the points for the week.

Discussion leaders will provide an agenda prior to the class meeting.  Agendas are due (sent to me and to the small group members) no later than 5:00 pm on Wednesday. 

In most cases, discussions will be oriented around the leaders research or inquiry.

 Posters.

Students in the HDES Seminar will offer a poster at the 2010 PlanetU Conference on Humans and Climate Change in April.  Some basic guidelines are available at the links below.  Poster instructions are here, and you can submit your poster abstract here.

• A really clear page from Michigan with good and bad examples.

• Creating Effective Posters (NCSU site)

• Designing Effective Posters.   (KUMC site)

• Scientific Posters.

 

III.  Grades.

This class is graded.  Grades will be assigned based on small group participation, participation in the public seminars, commentaries about the public seminars, and presentation/participation in the Horizons Conference (on TBA date in April 2010).  Extraordinary contributions also will be recognized in the grading for this class. Both the small group and public seminar formats are important, and your participation determines whether or not they work. Grading for this semester will therefore be split fifty/fifty between the two.

That said, students should concentrate their efforts on maximizing learning- yours and ours!- rather than on earning a letter grade.  Maximum learning typically involves a high level of intelligent participation and work.

Your attendance and weekly essays all are graded on a S/U basis.  A student who receives all S grades, participates in class, and presents a poster at the Horizons conference will receive an A for the class. Moreover, should you receive an unsatisfactory grade for for any assignment, I will offer the opportunity for a rewrite. Those who present in our seminars will also be offered additional credit.  Therefore, I ask that you actively participate, share your ideas without apprehension, and assist others in their efforts to your best ability.  As noted above, I hope you are more concerned with developing our shared interests than you are focused on your grade.  We are nonjudgmental and open to new ideas.

This class is what you make of it.  So let's all try make it a great year!

 

IV. Workgroups .

V.  Fall Semester Calendar.

August 2009

27    Organization and Introduction.  Syllabus.  Group formation.

September 2009 

  3    Read: William Cronin, The Trouble with Wilderness, Uncommon Ground: Rethinking the Human
        Place in Nature,  New York: W. W. Norton & Co., 1995, 69-90.

10    Small Group Workshop.

17    Small Group Workshop.

24    Read: Robin Mearns, Social Development Department of The World Bank  "Social Dimensions
        of Climate Change: From Principles to Practice at the World Bank."  Talk on  25th at SDEP.

October 2009           

  1    Small Group Workshop.

  8    Read: Jake Kosek, Understories: The political life of forests in New Mexico.  Durham, NC: Duke   
        University Press, 2006.

15    Read: Elizabeth Shapiro, (University of Texas) "Can the Rural Poor Profit from Climate Change?
        The Case of the Mexican National Payment for Ecosystem Services Programs."  See also,
        McAfee and Shapiro, "Payments for Ecosystem Services," Annals, 2009.  Attend talk on 16th at
        SDEP.

22    Small Group Workshop.

29-30-31  Trip to the Vermilion River Observatory, Vermilion County, IL.
                 Brief Prairiefire segment on Vermilion River Observatory;  brief description by UI.
                 Bring your own camping equipment or let us know what you will require.

November 2009

 5.  Small Group Workshop

12. Small Group Workshop

15. Small Group Workshop

December 2009 

  3.  Small Group Workshop

 

 

January 2010

21. Discuss writing requirements, other requirements.
      Discussion of: Paul Robbins, Lawn People.

28. Create small groups.

February 2010

  4. Small Group Workshop.
      First writing assignment due.

10.  Andrew Light.

11.  ICARUS Climate Change workshop, hosted by SDEP..

18.  Carolyn Merchant brownbag and reading discussion. Attend Merchant presentation on 2/22.

25.  Small Group Workshop.

March 2010

  4. HDES 595A participates in 595B, The Human Place in Nature module on the Challenges of
      Spatial Scales, Location, and time.

11. Small group workshop and symposium planning; Group reading of Jake Kosek, Bees and
      Terrorism.

18.  Mid Term writing assignment due; possible brown bag with Jake Kosek this week;
       attend Kosek talk on Mar 16.  Small groups. Brownbag with Jake Kosek.

April 2010

  1.  HDES 595A participates in 595B, The Human Place in Nature module on Environmental Justice.

  8,  Susan Freiberg talk.  Preparatory readings TBA.

15   Symposium Planning.  (16, 17) Spring overnight trip to VRO. Prepare for panel presentations. 

22.  HDES Symposium on the Interdisciplinary Study of Humans and their Environments, at IPRH.

29.  HDES Symposium on the Interdisciplinary Study of Humans and their Environments, at IPRH.

May 2010

  6. HDES closing celebration of AY 10.