NPD 2000 (Spring 2006–2007): Assignments

This course is now closed. Links and other information on this site are no longer being maintained. Access to solutions are now restricted; please contact the instructor if you would like access.

The course is divided into the following blocks:

Worldviews: Conceptions of nature and place.
Ethical theories of the environment: Christian components within each theory are discussed as the theories are presented.
Case studies and science-policy interactions.

Full references for readings listed in the schedule below can be found in the Course Bibliography. Optional readings are on online or on reserve in the library. See the Syllabus and papers description for details regarding the papers. Extra Credit is not listed on this schedule; see the description(s) in the Assignment index for details.

This schedule only includes the lectures, readings, and papers common to all the sections of the course. Discussion about the readings occur the week after they are assigned. Thus, we will discuss the Bouma-Prediger and Lomborg readings assigned in Week 1 beginning the Mon. in Week 2 (i.e. Jan 22).

Week #	Mon. Date	Lectures & Readings	Papers Due
1	Jan 15	Topic: Introduction to Ethics and the Environment. Lecturers: K. Clifton-Soderstrom, R. Johnson, J. Lin. Readings: Bouma-Prediger, 13–66. Lomborg, Ch. 1. Olthuis, "On Worldviews" (optional). Orr, Ch. 1–3, pp. 7–34 (optional).
2	Jan 22	Topic: Understandings of Nature in World Religions. Lecturers: R. Johnson. Readings: Kinsley, Ch. 5–7.
3	Jan 29	Topic: Christian Creation. Lecturers: R. Johnson. Readings: EEN, "Scripture Resources" (another optional list). Bouma-Prediger, pp. 67–127 (Ch. 3, 4, half of 5). "An Evangelical Declaration on the Care of Creation." Kinsley, Ch. 8–9.
4	Feb 5	Topic: Western Conceptions of Nature—The Enlightenment and Romanticism. Lecturers: D. Koeller. Readings: Defoe, pp. 1–42. Kinsley, pp. 125–140 (Ch. 10). Emerson, excerpts from Nature (optional). "Paley's Formulation of the Teleological Argument" (optional).
5	Feb 12	Topic: Western Conceptions of Nature—Agriculture, Wilderness, and the Land Ethic. Lecturers: A. Bjorkman. Readings: Defoe, pp. 42–112. Kinsley, pp. 141–157 (Ch. 11). Light & Rolston, pp. 38–46 (Leopold, "The Land Ethic").
6	Feb 19	Topic: Ethical Theories of the Environment: Introduction to Environmental Ethics. Lecturers: S. Bouma-Prediger, Hope College. Readings: Bouma-Prediger, pp. 127–160 (2nd half of Ch. 5–6). Light & Rolston, pp. 15–37 (Palmer, "An Overview of Environmental Ethics"). Light & Rolston, pp. 163–174 (Norton, "Environmental Ethics and Weak Anthropocentrism"). Light & Rolston, pp. 175–190 (Hargrove, "Weak Anthropocentric Intrinsic Value").	Mon.: Draft 1 of Comparative Worldview Paper, for peer review in section. Wed.: Draft 2 of Comparative Worldview Paper, for review by Writing Advisors.
7	Feb 26	Topic: Ethical Theories of the Environment: Anthropocentrism and Deep Ecology. Lecturers: K. Clifton-Soderstrom. Readings: Kinsley, pp. 184–192 (Ch. 14). Light & Rolston, pp. 114–128 (Cahen, "Against the Moral Considerability of Ecosystems"). Light & Rolston, pp. 252–261 (Fox, "Deep Ecology: A New Philosophy of our Time?"). Light & Rolston, pp. 262–274 (Naess, "The Deep Ecology Movement: Some Philosophical Aspects").	Wed.: Final draft Comparative Worldview Paper, for grading by instructor.
8	Mar 5	Topic: Ethical Theories of the Environment: Ecological Justice, Feminist Ecology. Lecturers: K. Clifton-Soderstrom. Readings: Kinsley, pp. 203–209 (Ch. 16). Light & Rolston, pp. 276–293 (Gaard & Gruen, "Ecofeminism: Toward Global Justice and Planetary Health"). Light & Rolston, pp. 294–305 (Warren & Cheney, "Ecological Feminism and Ecosystem Ecology"). Light & Rolston, pp. 451–462 (Rolston, "Feeding People versus Saving Nature"). Light & Rolston, pp. 463–471 (Attfield, "Saving Nature, Feeding People, and Ethics"). Light & Rolston, pp. 487–499 (Barry, "Sustainability and Intergenerational Justice").
9	Mar 19	Topic: From Utilitarian to Romantic Views of Nature—Close Readings of Poetry. Discussion Leader: R. Dooley. Readings: Defoe, pp. 112–220.	Fri.: Draft 1 of Ethical Theories Paper, for review by Writing Advisors.
10	Mar 26	Topic: Case Study on Global Warming—Overview of the Science. (For this case study you might find this brief glossary of use.) Lecturers: J. Lin. Readings: Alley, et al., "Summary for Policymakers." Houghton, et al.: Technical Summary, "Observed Climate Variability and Change" (Section B): HTML \| PDF. Summary for Policymakers (optional). From the appendices of the technical summary: Glossary \| Acronyms. For reference, see Ch. 2 in the full version of the report: HTML \| PDF. International Workshop on Tropical Cyclones VI, "WMO Statement on Tropical Cyclones and Climate Change," November 30, 2006. Consensus Summary Full Statement More on the WMO Atmospheric Research and Environment Programme Karl & Trenberth, "What Is Climate Change?"
11	Apr 2	Topic: Case Study on Global Warming—Possible Responses. Lecturers: No lecture for Easter Break. Readings: Hoffert, et al., "Advanced Technology Paths to Global Climate Stability: Energy for a Greenhouse Planet" (link accesses via NPU Library). Metz, et al., "Social, Environmental, and Economic Impacts of Alternative Pathways for Meeting a Range of Concentration Stabilization Pathways," (Section 8.4). From the appendices: Glossary \| Acronyms. Sarewitz and Pielke, "Breaking the Global-Warming Gridlock."	Mon.: Draft 2 of Ethical Theories Paper, for peer review in section. Wed.: Final draft of Ethical Theories Paper, for grading by instructor.
12	Apr 9	Topic: Case Study on Global Warming—Science and Policy. Lecturers: J. Lin. Readings: Oreskes, "Science and Public Policy: What's Proof Got to Do With It?" Sarewitz, "How Science Makes Environmental Controversies Worse." Schmandt & Katz, "The Scientific State" (link accesses via NPU Library).
13	Apr 16	Section Topic (for discussion on Mon. Apr 23 and Wed. Apr 25): Case Study on Global Warming—Components of an Ethical Synthesis. Lecture Topic (Fri. Apr 20): The Chicago Environment. Lecturers: M. Frisbie, Executive Director, Friends of the Chicago River. Readings (for discussion on Mon. Apr 23 and Wed. Apr 25): An Urgent Call to Action: Scientists and Evangelicals Unite to Protect Creation." Derr, "Strange Science." "Climate Change: An Evangelical Call to Action." Interfaith Stewardship Alliance, "Cornwall Declaration." Light & Rolston, pp. 371–379 (Jamieson, "Ethics, Public Policy, and Global Warming"). Lindzen, "Don't Believe the Hype." Pittock, "Are Scientists Underestimating Climate Change?" Sagan, "Croesus and Cassandra: Policy Response to Global Warming" (optional). Von Storch & Stehr, "Exaggerated Science: How Global Warming Research is Creating a Climate of Fear" (optional).	Mon.: Draft 1 of Science Paper, for review by Writing Advisors.
14	Apr 23	Lecture Topic (Fri. Apr 27): Case Study on Global Warming—Components of an Ethical Synthesis. Lecturers: K. Clifton-Soderstrom, B. Johnson, J. Lin. Readings: Cronon, Prologue and Epilogue (optional).	Wed.: Draft 2 of Science Paper, for peer review in section. Fri.: Final draft of Science Paper, for grading by instructor.
15	Apr 30	Topic: Speech Presentations. Lecturers: Students. Mon. Apr 30 and Wed. May 2: Each student will give their speech in section. (Please practice it beforehand. Unpracticed speeches are often of poor quality.) Each section will vote for the 3 best presentations given in their section, and those students will present their speeches at the Fri. lecture.	5 min. speech synthesizing the worldview, ethical theories, and scientific aspects of your environmental topic.
16	May 7	Topic: Conclusions, Reading Day, and Finals. Lecturers: None.

Schedule