DEVELOPMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT

  IN LATIN AMERICA, AFRICA, AND ASIA

General Studies 317/Geography 310

 

 

Dr. Heidi G. Frontani                                                               Fall 2006 Office Hours:

Phone: 278-6462                                                                    MWF 10:45-11:45am and  

Office: 217-C Powell                                                              T/TH 9:15-10:15am

Email: glaesel@elon.edu                               

 

Course Description

More than 6.5 billion people inhabit the earth and human impact on the natural environment is growing.  Will food production keep up with population growth?  Can technological advances slow or reverse global warming, habitat and species loss? What are the environmental costs of consumer lifestyles for some and crushing poverty for many more? This course is concerned primarily with environmental issues in countries influenced by, but not among, the worlds wealthiest. Oil industry, water and fisheries management case studies form the core of reading materials, with secondary case studies on deforestation, wildlife management, desertification, industrial pollution and waste management. Key to all studies is the human component.

 

Course Goals

  • To gain an increased understanding of humans impact on the environment
  • Improve critical thinking, writing and public speaking skills
  • Foster intentional learning and making connections between public issues and personal life

 

Course Objectives

·         To be able to provide a sophisticated analysis of the common and often complex roots of environmental problems across world regions

·         Name and locate major countries, cities, and physical landforms in Latin America, Africa, and Asia

·         Write a well researched and referenced paper using the Chicago style.

 

Required Texts

  1. David Gordon 2006. Nachituti’s Gift: Economy, Society, and Environment in Central Africa. University of Wisconsin Press
  2. Elizabeth Economy 2005. The River Runs Black: the Environmental Challenge to China’s Future. Cornell University Press
  3. Suzana Sawyer 2004. Crude Chronicles: Indigenous Politics, Multinational Oil, and Neoliberalism in Ecuador. Duke University Press.

NOTE: Assignments and additional readings available through BlackBoard

 

Course requirements

Map quiz

Sept. 12th

10%

Mid-term Examination

Oct. 5th

25%

Research paper due

Oct. 24th

25%

Research presentation

Nov. 7th, 9th, 14th or 16th

10%

Final examination

Dec. 9th at 1pm

30%

Elon Honor Code:  Each student is responsible for knowing the Elon Honor Code.  Students sent before the Dean of Academic Affairs and/or the Honor Board face consequences ranging from an F on an assignment, to an F in a course, to expulsion from the University. 

 

Grading Scale

A

Excellent work, generally the top 10% of the class. (A- = 90-94, A = >94)

90-100%

B

Solid, university-level work.  (B- = 80-83, B = 84-87, B+ = 88-89)

80-89%

C

Adequate work, lacking in one or more areas (C- = 70-73, C = 74-77, C+ = 78-79)

70-79%

D

Passing work, but with serious deficiencies.   (D- = 60-63, D = 64-67, D+= 68-69)

60-69%

F

Failing, unacceptable work for the university level.

<60%

I

Incompletes: You will be issued with an incomplete (I) if you fail to complete enough work to be given a fair grade, and where this is justified on grounds of illness, bereavement or other extenuating circumstances approved by the instructor. This work must be made up before a certain date to receive an A-F grade. 

 

 

All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date due and may only be turned in late without penalty if you have a medical excuse AND spoke with or otherwise contacted AND came to an agreement with the instructor.

 

Course Outline

Introduction

            Global wealth differentials and the environment

Latin America

            Deforestation and debt-for-nature in Amazonia

            Indigenous people and multinational oil companies in Ecuador

            Mexico’s maquiladoras

Africa

            The politics of oil in Nigeria’s Niger River delta

            Freshwater fisheries and development in Zambia and the Congo

            Colonialism, drought, and famine in the Sahel

            Managing wildlife for profit: state and local perspectives

Asia

            Soviet Russia: managing the Aral and Caspian Seas

            Green Revolution technology and food production in India

            Water quality, dams, and air pollution in China

            Deforestation in Southeast Asia

Prospects for Sustainable Development