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 Monday, November 6, and meet with your TA or me to discuss your paper. Topic changes will be allowed only with the permission of the TA. Details about the exams and paper assignment are posted on the class web page. The term paper is due on Wednesday, November 29 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. The required books are:
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
Norman Vig & Michael Kraft, Environmental Policy, 6th ed.
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
Walter Rosenbaum, Environmental Politics and Policy, 5/e, chap 8, "Black Gold and Nuclear Dreams."
Howard Geller, Energy Revolution, chap 1
Norman Vig & Michael Kraft, Environmental Policy, chap 13
Eric Smith, Energy, the Environment, and Public Opinion, chap 2
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 Vig & Michael Kraft, Environmental Policy, chap 1
Judith Layzer, The Environmental Case, chap 1
Eric Smith, Energy, the Environment, and Public Opinion, chaps 1, 3-6
Norman Vig & Michael Kraft, Environmental Policy, chap 4
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.
Eric Smith and Marisela Marquez, "The Other Side of the NIMBY Syndrome." Society & Natural Resources, 13 (2000): 273-80.
Norman Vig & Michael Kraft, Environmental Policy, 6th ed., chaps 5, 8
Dennis Soden and Brent Steel, "Evaluating the Environmental Presidency," in Dennis Soden, ed., The Environmental Presidency
Jonathan West and Glen Sussman, "Implementation of Environmental Policy," in Dennis Soden, ed., The Environmental Presidency
***** MIDTERM: Monday, October 30 *****
Norman Vig & Michael Kraft, Environmental Policy, chapter 6.
Michael Kraft, "Congress and Environmental Policy," in James P. Lester, ed., Environmental Politics & Policy.
Judith Layzer, The Environmental Case, chap 7, "Federal Grazing Policy"
7. Common Pool Resource Problems
Garrett Hardin, "The Tragedy of the Commons," Science 162 (December 13, 1968), 1243-1248.
Elinor Ostrom, Governing the Commons, chap 2
Judith Layzer, The Environmental Case, chaps 2, 6, 8
8. Command & Control Solutions vs. Market Solutions
Judith Layzer, The Environmental Case, chaps 9 -10, 13 -16
Norman Vig & Michael Kraft, Environmental Policy, chap 9
9. The Precautionary Principle and Comparative Risk Analysis
Norman Vig & Michael Kraft, Environmental Policy, chaps 9-12
10. The State of the Environment
Judith Layzer, The Environmental Case, chap 18
Norman Vig & Michael Kraft, Environmental Policy, chaps 14, 17
Note: The schedule may change to accomodate guest speakers or alternative lecture topics.
***** FINAL EXAM
Tuesday, December 12, 4:00– 7:00 p.m. *****