In this course, we will examine environmental politics and policy. We will pay particular attention to the public-opinion forces that cause environmental policy. We will then discuss how politicians respond to those forces, and the public policy approaches that have been developed to address environmental problems.
Grades will be based on a midterm (30%), a term paper (30%), a final exam (30%), and section and class participation (10%). The research paper (9-12 pages) will be based on lectures, required readings, and outside research. The topics are posted on the class web page. You must also submit a proposal for your paper topic to your teaching assistant by Friday, November 5, and meet with your TA or me to discuss your paper. Topic changes will be allowed only with the permission of the TA or me. Details about the exams and paper assignment are posted on the class web page. The term paper is due on Monday, November 22 by 5 p.m. in the Political Science Department Mail Room.
The midterm exam will be a combination of multiple choice questions and short answer questions. Typical short answer questions will ask for a description of a theory or a description of environmental policy. There will be no choices on the questions. Students must answer all questions. The final exam will have multiple choice questions, short answer questions, and one essay question. There will be a choice of 2-3 essay questions.
A reminder about the use, or lack of use, of quotation marks and citations: The Campus Regulations have the following to say about plagiarism: "Representing the words, ideas, or concepts of another person without appropriate attribution is plagiarism. Whenever another person's written work is utilized, whether it be a single phrase or longer, quotation marks must be used and sources cited. Paraphrasing another's work, i.e., borrowing the ideas or concepts and putting them into one's 'own' words, must also be acknowledged." In addition, submitting the same paper to two classes is also considered cheating because the work is not original for both classes. Any act of plagiarism or other form of cheating will be rewarded with an automatic "F" and referral to the administration for further punishment.
All of the required reading is on reserve at the library. The reader is available at the Associated Students Publication Service (in the UCEN) and all the articles in the reader are posted in the ERes system (http://eres.library.ucsb.edu). The course number and password are available from the TA or me. The required textbooks are available at the UCSB Bookstore.
Required Texts:
Judith Layzer, The Environmental Case, 2nd ed.
S. Robert Lichter and Stanley Rothman, Environmental Cancer—A Political Disease?
Eric Smith, Energy, the Environment, and Public Opinion
Reader, available at the UCEN Copy Shop
Web Pages:
Prof. Smith: http://www.polsci.ucsb.edu/faculty/smith/
PS 175: http://www.polsci.ucsb.edu/faculty/smith/courses/ps175.html
Course Outline and Readings
John Houghton, Global Warming, 3rd ed, chaps 2-3
Naomi Oreskes, "The Scientific Consensus on Climate Change." Science, 306 (3 December 2004): 1686
Howard Geller, Energy Revolution, chap 1
Eric Smith, Energy, the Environment, and Public Opinion, chap 2
Dale Jamieson (1996) "Scientific Uncertainty and the Political Process," Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 545: 35-43
David Michaels and Celeste Monforton, "Manufacturing Uncertainty: Contested Science and the Protection of the Public’s Health and Environment," American Journal of Public Health 95:S1 (2005), pp. 39-48.
Walter Rosenbaum, ""Science, Politics, and Policy at the EPA." In Norman Vig & Michael Kraft, Environmental Policy, 7th ed.
Juliet Carlisle, et al., "The Public's Trust in Scientific Claims Regarding Offshore Oil Drilling." Public Understanding of Science, 19 (2010): 514-27.
Recommended: Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway, Merchanges of Doubt (2010)
Douglas Costain and James Lester, "The Evolution of Environmentalism" in James P. Lester, ed., Environmental Politics & Policy.
Samuel Hayes, A History of Environmental Politics, chap 15, "The Results of Environmental Policy."
Norman J. Vig & Michael E. Kraft, "Environmental Policy over Four Decades." In Norman J. Vig & Michael E. Kraft, Environmental Policy, 7th ed, chap 1
Recommended: Spencer Weart, The Discovery of Global Warming, 2/e (2008)
Judith Layzer, The Environmental Case, chap 1
Eric Smith, Energy, the Environment, and Public Opinion, chaps 1, 3-6.
S. Robert Lichter and Stanley Rothman, Environmental Cancer-A Political Disease?
Paul Slovic, Baruch Fischoff, and Sara Lichtenstein, "Rating the Risks," Environment, 21 (April 1979): 14-20, 36-39.
Kraft, Michael E., and Bruce B. Clary (1991). "Citizen Participation and the NIMBY Syndrome: Public Response to Radioactive Waste Disposal." Western Political Quarterly, 44 (1991): 299-328.
Judith Layzer, The Environmental Case, chap 4
*** MIDTERM: Thursday, October 28 ***
Garrett Hardin, "The Tragedy of the Commons," Science 162 (December 13, 1968), 1243-1248.
David Feeny, Fikret Berkes, Bonnie J. McCay, and James M. Acheson, "The Tragedy of the Commons: Twenty-Two Years Later." Human Ecology, 18 (1990): 1-19.
Judith Layzer, The Environmental Case, chaps 2, 6-9
*** Wednesday, November 24, section cancelled because of Thanksgiving Holiday***
Judith Layzer, The Environmental Case, chaps 3, 10, 13 -16
Norman Vig & Michael Kraft, Environmental Policy, chap 9
Joel A. Tickner, "Precautionary Assessment: A Framework for Integrating Science, Uncertainty, and Preventative Policy." In Joel Tickner, ed., Precaution: Environmental Science and Preventative Public Policy, chap 17.
Kerry Whiteside, Precautionary Politics, chap 2.
Cass R. Sunstein, Risk and Reason: Safety, Law, and the Environment, chaps 2, 5.
Judith Layzer, The Environmental Case, chap 18
Norman Vig & Michael Kraft, Environmental Policy, chap 16
Note: The schedule may change to accomodate guest speakers or alternative lecture topics.
***** FINAL EXAM Wednesday, December 8, 4:00– 7:00 p.m. *****