Course intent: The challenge in many human efforts is to integrate knowledge in order to arrive at solutions and policies that work. This is especially true of environmental projects. We need to know how both the earth and the people who live on it work, and how they interact. For example, managing water as a resource requires both that we know how much is where for how long, but to struggle with the questions such as how much is needed for various purposes, what is the degree of need, and who owns it if anybody? This is the basic motivation for linking these courses ­ one in the social sciences, one in the natural science, because we need the linkage in the real world. Our goal is to introduce you into the worlds of environmental geology and human geography, teach you basic principles, analytic skills and content, and to do it in a broader context. After introducing some basics, we will use questions as a guide, trying to weave together whatever is necessary from the 'human' and 'physical' realms to answer those questions. This question based approach is evident in the syllabus below, and reflects our belief that the right question can provide the basis for a very productive learning experience. This course will be different, perhaps a bit raw in places since this is the first offering, but dynamic.

• Exams: 130 points.
• Journal: 100 points.
• In-class exercises: 30 points.
• Portfolio exercise: 40 points.
• Total: 300 points

Exams: 3 exams, worth a total of 130 points.
Journal (100 points): The intent is to develop your writing and analytic skills in the context of the course. You should get a small three ring binder to put your entries and support material in. Journal entries will include in-class writing exercises that are turned in and returned with feedback, and homework exercises. You can expect to do one or two journal entries per week (2-3 points each), and they will be collected weekly on Fridays. If you would like feedback on your entries or journal organization please meet with us and we will be happy to provide it. Grading criteria for the journal will include: completeness, presentation (spelling, grammar, etc.), multiple sources used and referenced when appropriate, and most importantly, content. For each assignment we will indicate whether sources are required and how many, and about how long the journal entry might be.
Participation in in-class exercises (30 points total): exercise will be announced a head of time, and will be group efforts.
Portfolio exercise (40 points): This will be a group effort. Your group will choose a country to characterize in terms of its environmental assets, environmental concerns, environmental law, environmental attitudes, and case histories. More details coming soon. Portfolio groups. Suggestions for portfolio organization. Morocco portfolio example presentation material.
Grading distribution: 300<A+>265<A>255<A->245<B+>235<B>225<B->215<C+>205<C>195<C->185<D+>175<D>165<D->155

Texts: We've tried to keep the cost down. Remember that this is for two courses.

• John Allen, ed., 2003, Annual Editions: Environment 03/04 (McGraw-Hill), Dushkin Press.
• Jill Schneiderman (ed.), 2000, The Earth Around Us; Freeman Press.
• John Allen, 2001, Student Atlas of World Geography, 2nd edition: McGraw Hill Press.
• In addition to the texts will be readings on reserve.

Contact information: We encourage you to come in and talk to us about course material.

• Dr. Christina Dando, Office DSC 271, 402 554 3134, christina_dando@mail.unomaha.edu
• Dr. Harmon D. Maher Jr., Office DSC 266, 402 554 4807, harmon_maher@mail.unomaha.edu

Links to fuller descriptions of content are being developed.

Week 1 & 2: Basics of human geography and environmental geology. During these two weeks we must establish some basics from our respective disciplines, so the contents will be not be as closely tied.

Week 3: What is the significance of population dynamics to environmental and human endeavors?

End of week 3, Friday, 30th - Exam 1 - 30 points.

Week 4 : What should an energy policy for the U.S. look like?

Week 5: What role should nuclear power play in an energy policy?

Week 6: How should we deal with our waste products?

Week 7 & 8: How should water be managed as a resource?

Week 9: When should a river be dammed?

End of week 9, Friday, March 12th - Exam 2 - 60 points.

Week 10: What is the worth of land?

Week 11: What are the impacts of urbanization?

Week 12: What type of natural disasters should we prepare for and how?

Week 13: Is global climate change occurring and what might be some of the consequences?

End of week 13 - Exam 3 - 30 points.

Week 14: Faculty portfolios of places chosen by the students.

Week 15: Student group presentations of their portfolios of chosen places.

Some thoughts we would like to share on our teaching philosophy:

• We believe this course will be worth your effort, and will help you in your endeavors.
• Questions are great! We encourage questions. This course is built around questions. We hope to teach you both, how to answer questions, but also how to ask them.
• The ability and willingness to experiment, to try new things, to arrange the status quo is arguably crucial to scientific, economic and societal success and progress. Such exploration is a very American trait, and this course is very much in that tradition. During exploration and experimentation things are a bit rough, and unpredictable. Constant fine tuning of the course along the way will be needed. We ask you to be aware of this, bear with us, and remember your contributions to this joint effort will help all involved.
• We come from two different disciplines, and will use some different teaching approaches. This variety of experience will be to your long term benefit.
• Our expectation regarding time commitment to this 6-credit linked course is that you attend the majority of lectures, and spend 6 to 9 hours a week on course related efforts. This is a normal expectation for 6 University credits, considering that 15 hours is a full time student load.
• We use a smorgasbord approach. Imagine a long table heaped high with a great array of delectable foods. You can't partake of it all and that is OK - it is still a good feast. We will provide you with a wide ranging array of information and ideas on the course 'table'. You can't understand it all. We don't. We hope you gorge on this intellectual food, but don't expect you to take it all in. Certain basic information and ideas (which we will identify) you should make sure you have digested, and beyond that go as far as interest, goals and time permits. If you find you aren't 'digesting' most of the material presented, though please come to us.
• Do not hesitate to come see us, ask us questions, give us feedback. That is why we are here.