SYLLABUS
Below is the course syllabus with dates, speakers, topics, assignments and exam times. Because of the challenge of scheduling speakers for this course, it is important to bear in mind that items in the syllabus are subject to change during the semester as we adjust to accommodate our invited speakers. We strongly encourage you to revisit this website frequently to remain abreast of course activities and assignments.
It is particularly important to complete all assigned reading on time in preparation for interacting with the invited speakers as well as for actively participating in the Discussion Sessions. There is one required text, which may be purchased at the University Bookstore or at a bookstore/website of your choice. This text is:
Deffeyes, K. S. 2001. Hubbert's Peak: The Impending World Oil Shortage. Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J.
Additional required reading will include articles, essays, etc. handed out in class or accessible via web links (see Reading).
January 12 (Wednesday Discussion Sessions)
January 14 (Friday Discussion Session)
Topics:
Introductory materials
Pre-test (no preparation necessary)
Discussion of selected current events
Reading Assigned:
1) Chapters 1, 2-4, 7-9 and 10: Deffeyes, K. S. 2001. Hubbert's Peak: The Impending World Oil Shortage. Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J.
2) Appenzeller, T. and Leen, S. 2004. The end of cheap oil. National Geographic, Vol. 205, No. 6, 72-109.
3) Chapters 1, 11 and 13: Lomborg, B. 2001. The Skeptical Environmentalist. Cambridge University Press, 515 pp.
Writing Assigned:
1st Research Paper (energy resources)
January 17 (Monday Lecture)
Speakers:
Jonathan Gilligan, David Furbish, James Clarke
Topics:
Overview: Renewable versus non-renewable resources
Difficulties of understanding risk, and assessing credibility of information regarding risk
Reading Due:
1) Chapter 1: Deffeyes, K. S. 2001. Hubbert's Peak: The Impending World Oil Shortage. Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J.
2) Appenzeller, T. and Leen, S. 2004. The end of cheap oil. National Geographic, Vol. 205, No. 6, 72-109.
3) Pages 1-12, Chapter 1: Lomborg, B. 2001. The Skeptical Environmentalist. Cambridge University Press, 515 pp.
Reading Assigned:
1) Gilligan, J. M. 2005. Science, Prediction, and Risk. Class handout available on Reading webpage.
2) Maugeri, L. Not in oil's name. Foreign Affairs, Vol 82, July-August, 165-168.
January 19 (Wednesday Discussion Sessions)
January 21 (Friday Discussion Session)
Topics:
Monday's lecture and reading materials
Composing your Research Papers
January 24 (Monday Lecture)
Speakers:
Jonathan Gilligan, David Furbish
Topics:
Difficulties of understanding risk, and assessing credibility of information regarding risk (cont'd)
The where and why of petroleum
Reading Due:
1) Gilligan, J. M. 2005. Science, Prediction, and Risk. Class handout available on Reading webpage.
2) Maugeri, L. Not in oil's name. Foreign Affairs, Vol 82, July-August, 165-168.
Reading Continued:
1) Chapters 2-4: Deffeyes, K. S. 2001. Hubbert's Peak: The Impending World Oil Shortage. Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J.
Reading Assigned:
1) Lomborg, B. 2001. Chapter 11 in The Skeptical Environmentalist. Cambridge University Press, 515 pp.
January 26 (Wednesday Discussion Sessions)
January 28 (Friday Discussion Session)
Topics:
Monday's lecture and reading materials
Writing Assigned:
Paragraph on selected petrochemical product
Reading Continued:
1) Chapters 2-4: Deffeyes, K. S. 2001. Hubbert's Peak: The Impending World Oil Shortage. Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J.
2) Lomborg, B. 2001. Chapter 11 in The Skeptical Environmentalist. Cambridge University Press, 515 pp.
Reading Assigned:
1) Gilligan, J. M. 2005. The Age Of Fossil Fuels Part I: The Middle Ages through 1973. Class handout available on Reading webpage.
January 31 (Monday Lecture)
Speaker:
Jonathan Gilligan
Topic:
The past and future of oil
Reading Due:
1) Chapters 2-4: Deffeyes, K. S. 2001. Hubbert's Peak: The Impending World Oil Shortage. Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J.
2) Gilligan, J. M. 2005. The Age Of Fossil Fuels Part I: The Middle Ages through 1973. Class handout available on Reading webpage.
Reading Continued:
1) Chapters 7-9: Deffeyes, K. S. 2001. Hubbert's Peak: The Impending World Oil Shortage. Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J.
2) Lomborg, B. 2001. Chapter 11 in The Skeptical Environmentalist. Cambridge University Press, 515 pp.
February 02 (Wednesday Discussion Sessions)
February 04 (Friday Discussion Session)
Topic:
Petrochemicals in society
Writing Due:
Paragraph on selected petrochemical product (bring item to class if feasible)
February 07 (Monday Lecture)
Speaker:
James Clarke, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University
Topic:
Fossil Fuels and the Environment
Reading Due:
1) Chapters 7-9: Deffeyes, K. S. 2001. Hubbert's Peak: The Impending World Oil Shortage. Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J.
2) Chapter 11: Lomborg, B. 2001. Chapter 11 in The Skeptical Environmentalist. Cambridge University Press, 515 pp.
Reading Assigned:
1) Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 2003. Executive Summary of The Future of Nuclear Power. (extra reading - Appendix 1: Nuclear Fuel Cycle Primer; Appendix: 7 Waste Management).
2) University of Chicago's Department of Economics, the Graduate School of Business, and the Harris School of Public Policy. 2001. Executive Summary of The Economic Future of Nuclear Power. (extra reading - Appendix A5:
Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Disposal; Appendix A7: Nonproliferation Goals).
3) Makhijani, Arjun. 1996. The Nuclear Power Deception. Chapter 2: Electricity Production and
Nuclear Reactors. Institute for Energy and the Environmental Research.
Reading Continued:
1) Chapter 10: Deffeyes, K. S. 2001. Hubbert's Peak: The Impending World Oil Shortage. Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J.
February 09 (Wednesday Discussion Sessions)
February 11 (Friday Discussion Session)
Topics:
Peak Oil and its implications
February 14 (Monday Lecture)
Speaker:
Frank L. Parker, Distinguished Professor of Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University
Topics:
Nuclear energy: Title TBA
Reading Due:
1) Chapter 10: Deffeyes, K. S. 2001. Hubbert's Peak: The Impending World Oil Shortage. Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J.
2) Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 2003. Executive Summary of The Future of Nuclear Power. (extra reading - Appendix 1: Nuclear Fuel Cycle Primer; Appendix: 7 Waste Management).
3) University of Chicago's Department of Economics, the Graduate School of Business, and the Harris School of Public Policy. 2001. Executive Summary of The Economic Future of Nuclear Power. (extra reading - Appendix A5:
Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Disposal; Appendix A7: Nonproliferation Goals).
4) Makhijani, Arjun. 1996. The Nuclear Power Deception. Chapter 2: Electricity Production and
Nuclear Reactors. Institute for Energy and the Environmental Research.
Reading Assigned:
1) Appenzeller, T., Dimick, D. R. and Essick, P. 2004. The heat is on: Introduction. National Geographic, Vol. 206, No. 3, 2-11.
2) Glick, D. and Essick, P. 2004. The heat is on: GeoSigns. National Geographic, Vol. 206, No. 3, 12-33.
3) Montaigne, F. and Essick, P. 2004. The heat is on: EcoSigns. National Geographic, Vol. 206, No. 3, 34-55.
4) Morell, V. and Essick, P. 2004. The heat is on: TimeSigns. National Geographic, Vol. 206, No. 3, 56-75.
5) Gellings, C. W. and Yeager, K. E. 2004. Transforming the electric infrastructure. Physics Today, Vol. 57, December, 45-51.
6) Morgan, M. G., and Tierney, S. F. 1998. Research Support for the Power Industry. Issues in Science & Technology, Vol. XV, Fall, pp. 81-87.
February 16 (Wednesday Discussion Sessions)
February 18 (Friday Discussion Session)
Topics:
Monday's lecture and reading material, plus alternative energy sources
February 18 (Friday)
Writing Due:
Prospectus of 1st Research Paper due at 4:00 PM (submit to Teaching Assistants)
February 21 (Monday Lecture)
Speaker:
Leon Lowery, Professional Staff, U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Washington, D.C.
Topic:
Lost Horizons: Regulation and Competition in the US Electric Industry
Reading Due:
1) Gellings, C. W. and Yeager, K. E. 2004. Transforming the electric infrastructure. Physics Today, Vol. 57, December, 45-51.
2) Morgan, M. G., and Tierney, S. F. 1998. Research Support for the Power Industry. Issues in Science & Technology, Vol. XV, Fall, pp. 81-87.
Reading Continued:
1) Appenzeller, T., Dimick, D. R. and Essick, P. 2004. The heat is on: Introduction. National Geographic, Vol. 206, No. 3, 2-11.
2) Glick, D. and Essick, P. 2004. The heat is on: GeoSigns. National Geographic, Vol. 206, No. 3, 12-33.
3) Montaigne, F. and Essick, P. 2004. The heat is on: EcoSigns. National Geographic, Vol. 206, No. 3, 34-55.
4) Morell, V. and Essick, P. 2004. The heat is on: TimeSigns. National Geographic, Vol. 206, No. 3, 56-75.
February 23 (Wednesday Discussion Sessions)
February 25 (Friday Discussion Session)
Field Trip:
Vanderbilt University Power Plant
February 28 (Monday Lecture)
Speaker:
Jonathan Gilligan
Topic:
Global climate change
Reading Due:
1) Appenzeller, T., Dimick, D. R. and Essick, P. 2004. The heat is on: Introduction. National Geographic, Vol. 206, No. 3, 2-11.
2) Glick, D. and Essick, P. 2004. The heat is on: GeoSigns. National Geographic, Vol. 206, No. 3, 12-33.
3) Montaigne, F. and Essick, P. 2004. The heat is on: EcoSigns. National Geographic, Vol. 206, No. 3, 34-55.
4) Morell, V. and Essick, P. 2004. The heat is on: TimeSigns. National Geographic, Vol. 206, No. 3, 56-75.
5) Abraham
6) White
Reading Assigned:
1) Hardin, G. 1968. The tragedy of the commons. Science, Vol. 162, 13, December, 1243-1248.
2) Postel, S. L. and Wolf, A. T. 2001. Dehydrating conflict. Foreign Policy, 126, Sep/Oct, 60-67.
3) Vandenbergh, M. P. 2004. From Smokestack to SUV: The Individual as Regulated Entity in the New Era of Environmental Law. Vanderbilt Law Review, Vol. 57, March, No. 2, 515-523, 537-559.
March 02 (Wednesday Discussion Sessions)
March 04 (Friday Discussion Session)
Mid-term Exam:
During scheduled Discussion Session times
March 07 (Spring Break)
March 14 (Monday Lecture)
Speaker:
Michael P. Vandenbergh, Associate Professor of Law, Vanderbilt University
Topic:
From Smokestack to SUV: A New View of the Sources of Environmental Harm
Reading Due:
1) Hardin, G. 1968. The tragedy of the commons. Science, Vol. 162, 13, December, 1243-1248.
2) Vandenbergh, M. P. 2004. From Smokestack to SUV: The Individual as Regulated Entity in the New Era of Environmental Law. Vanderbilt Law Review, Vol. 57, March, No. 2, 515-523, 537-559.
Writing Assigned:
2nd Research Paper (water resources)
March 16 (Wednesday Discussion Sessions)
March 18 (Friday Discussion Session)
Topics:
Monday's lecture and reading materials
March 18 (Friday)
Writing Due:
1st Research Paper due at 4:00 PM (submit to Teaching Assistants)
March 21 (Monday Lecture)
Speaker:
David Furbish
Topic:
Overview: Water Resources During the 21st Century
Reading Due:
1) Postel, S. L. and Wolf, A. T. 2001. Dehydrating conflict. Foreign Policy, 126, Sep/Oct, 60-67.
March 23 (Wednesday Discussion Sessions)
March 25 (Friday Discussion Session)
Topics:
Monday's lecture and reading materials
March 28 (Monday Lecture)
Speaker:
David C. Wood, Professor of Philosophy, Vanderbilt University
Topic:
Greening Derrida: The Eleventh Plague
Reading Due:
Greening Derrida: The Eleventh Plague
Reading Assigned:
1) Glennon, R. 2002. The perils of groundwater pumping. Issues in Science & Technology, Fall.
2) p. 541-546, 570: Barbash, J.E., 2003. The Geochemistry of Pesticides, in Holland, H.D., and Turekian, K.K., eds., Treatise of Geochemistry, Vol.9 (Environmental Geochemistry), Chapter 15, p. 541-577: New York, Elsevier.
3) Barbash, J.E., and Resek, E.A., Pesticides in Ground Water - U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet FS-422-95, 13 p.
4) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2005. Setting standards for safe drinking water: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, online document, 4 p.
March 30 (Wednesday Discussion Sessions)
April 01 (Friday Discussion Session)
Topics:
Monday's lecture and reading materials
April 04 (Monday Lecture)
Speaker:
Anne F. Choquette, Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey
Topic:
Pesticides in Ground Water: Challenges and Complexities
Reading Due:
1) Glennon, R. 2002. The perils of groundwater pumping. Issues in Science & Technology, Fall.
2) p. 541-546, 570: Barbash, J.E., 2003. The Geochemistry of Pesticides, in Holland, H.D., and Turekian, K.K., eds., Treatise of Geochemistry, Vol.9 (Environmental Geochemistry), Chapter 15, p. 541-577: New York, Elsevier.
3) Barbash, J.E., and Resek, E.A., Pesticides in Ground Water - U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet FS-422-95, 13 p.
4) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2005. Setting standards for safe drinking water: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, online document, 4 p.
Reading Assigned:
1) Water Wars, Chapter 3
April 06 (Wednesday Discussion Sessions)
April 08 (Friday Discussion Session)
Topics:
Monday's lecture and reading materials
April 11 (Monday Lecture)
Speaker:
Kathryn J. Jackson, Executive Vice President, River System Operations & Environment, Tennessee Valley Authority
Topic:
The Tennessee Valley's Energy and Water Resources in the 21st Century
Reading Due:
1) Water war chapt 3
Reading Assigned:
1) Gleick, P. H. 2003. Global freshwater resources: Soft-path solutions for the 21st century. State of the Planet series, Science, Vol. 302, 28 November, 1524-1528.
2) Gleick, P. H. 2001. Where's Waldo? A Review of The Skeptical Environmentalist (Bjorn Lomborg). Union of Concerned Scientists, November, 1-10.
3) Lomborg, B. 2001. Chapter 13 in The Skeptical Environmentalist. Cambridge University Press, 515 pp.
April 13 (Wednesday Discussion Sessions)
April 15 (Friday Discussion Session)
Topics:
Monday's lecture and reading materials
April 18 (Monday Lecture)
Speaker:
Peter H. Gleick, Director, Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment, and Security
Topic:
New Approaches to Water Management: The Soft Path
Reading Due:
1) Gleick, P. H. 2003. Global freshwater resources: Soft-path solutions for the 21st century. State of the Planet series, Science, Vol. 302, 28 November, 1524-1528.
2) Gleick, P. H. 2001. Where's Waldo? A Review of The Skeptical Environmentalist (Bjorn Lomborg). Union of Concerned Scientists, November, 1-10.
3) Lomborg, B. 2001. Chapter 13 in The Skeptical Environmentalist. Cambridge University Press, 515 pp.
Reading Assigned:
1) Chow, J., Kopp, R. J. and Portney, P. R. 2003. Energy resources and global development. State of the Planet series, Science, Vol. 302, 28 November, 1528-1531.
April 20 (Wednesday Discussion Sessions)
April 22 (Friday Discussion Session)
Topics:
Monday's lecture and reading materials
April 25 (Monday Lecture)
Panel Members:
Anne Choquette, David Furbish, Jonathan Gilligan, Frank Parker, Michael Vandenbergh
Topic:
Review of course material: Panel discussion
Reading Due:
1) Chow, J., Kopp, R. J. and Portney, P. R. 2003. Energy resources and global development. State of the Planet series, Science, Vol. 302, 28 November, 1528-1531.
Writing Due:
2nd Research Paper due at 4:10 PM (submit to Teaching Assistants)
May 04 (Wednesday)
Final Exam:
9:00 AM
