INT D 280 THE MOUNTAIN WORLD An Introduction to Interdisciplinary Mountain Studies

Transcription

1 ATTACHMENT #9.1 Course Outline Winter 2015 INT D 280 THE MOUNTAIN WORLD An Introduction to Interdisciplinary Mountain Studies Primary Contact: Dr. Zac Robinson, Physical Location: Tory Lecture Theater B1 Education and Recreation Phone: (780) Days: MWF zac.robinson@ualberta.ca Time: Office: Van Vliet Centre Course Web Site: eclass Office Hours: By appointment (please to set up a time) Communication: Co-Instructors: Teaching Assistant: It is strongly recommended that communication with the professor be done using the university system account). When sending an to the instructor, the Course Number INT D 280 should be in the subject field. Dr. David Hik, Biological Sciences, dhik@ualberta.ca Dr. Michael Kennedy, Physical Education and Recreation, kennedy@ualberta Dr. Martin Sharp, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, martin.sharp@ualberta.ca Jamie Bradshaw (MA student), Physical Education and Recreation, jlbradsh@ualberta.ca Course Description: Mountain Studies is an interdisciplinary field of study focusing on the physical, biological, and human dimensions of mountain environments. Coursework emphasizes the physical (climate, geology, glaciers, hazards, hydrology), biological (flora, fauna, ecology, conservation), physiological (issues and challenges to the human body while living, performing, and working in mountain environments), and cultural (mountains in popular imagination) dimensions of these unique regions and landscapes, as well as a critical analysis of the processes of change and influence shaping local and regional mountain environments around the globe, past and present. Melding practice and theory, this lecture-based survey course provides a general introduction to this fascinating interdisciplinary field and will draw on readings from the earth sciences, biological sciences, history, travel literature, and applied physiology. Crossing conventional disciplinary borders, this course will provide unique educational and training experience for undergraduate students interested in mountain places, peoples, and practices. Course Objectives: 1. To examine the physical, biological, and human dimensions of mountain environments; and to integrate disciplinary-specific knowledges in a holistic understanding of mountain places, peoples, and activities; 2. To place dominant cultural understandings of mountain places and practices in their historical and contemporary context;

2 3. To evaluate the human impacts, as well as their consequences, on mountain regions; 4. To promote cultural and environmental sensitivity about mountain regions; 5. To introduce current best practices in management of wellness and performance; 6. And to foster critical thinking and dialogue at an undergraduate level. Required Course Materials: Readings are available online and/or will be made available for download through eclass/moodle. Mountain Biodiversity and global change Spehn EM, Rudmann-Maurer K, Körner C, Maselli D (Eds) 2010 Prepared as a contribution to the International Year of Biodiversity in 2010, this summary highlights the role and importance of mountain biodiversity for humanity. (also see Millennium Ecosystem Assessment: Chapter on Mountain Ecosystems Körner C, Ohsawa M et al Mountain Systems. Chapter 24. In: Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, Current State and Trends: Findings of the Condition and Trends Working Group. Ecosystems and Human Well-being, Vol. 1, Island Press, Washington DC. This chapter assesses the available knowledge on physical, biological, economic, and social conditions in the world's mountain areas and describes their likely future. Other readings may be assigned at a later date. They will be made available through eclass/moodle, and you will be given advance notice of their posting, as well as the date that we ll be discussing them up in class. Course Evaluation and Grading: Assignment 1 Midterm Exam 1 Midterm Exam 2 Assignment 2 Final Exam Date Jan 12/19 Feb 6 Mar 13 Apr 8 Apr 20 Value 5% 25% 25% 10% 35% Assignment 1: Mapping Exercise We will be making reference to various individual mountains and mountain ranges in many parts of the world. It is important that you familiarize yourselves with where these mountains are located, as mountain building processes, climate, biodiversity, ecosystems, geomorphology, major hazards, and patterns of human use may vary greatly with location. This exercise is designed to help you with this. In class (January 12), you will be presented with two copies of a map showing the 2

3 world's major mountain ranges, and a numbered list of names of mountain ranges. In class, we ask you to independently use the number assigned to each range to show where you think it s located on one copy of the map. You will hand in this map (Part 1) at the end of the class. We then ask you to do some research to find out the actual location each mountain range and complete the second map as you did the first one using this new knowledge. Hand this map (Part 2) in at the class on January 19. Only the second version of the map will be marked and a final mark out of 5 will be assigned based on the number of correct answers. We return both maps to you in class. The goal is for you to learn where the world's major mountain ranges are located and to develop a sense of how well you knew this at the start of the class. If the answer to that question is not very then we encourage you to either ask the location of any mountain or mountain range mentioned in class that you are not familiar with or to research it yourself after class. Midterm Examination 1 and 2: The midterm examinations will include questions related to subject matter covered in lectures, readings, discussions, and AV presentations, etc. Held on February 6, Midterm Exam 1 will cover all material covered since the beginning of term. Midterm Exam 2, to be held on March 13, will cover all material following the first midterm. The format of the examinations will be multiple choice and short/long answer. Assignment 2: Lecture Summary Write a lecture summary of any 2 lectures from the semester. It s up to you what 2 lectures you choose. The only stipulation is that they cannot be from the same professor (or from the same discipline). The goal of this exercise is to have you think along interdisciplinary lines. What connections are there to be drawn between the materials presented in class? The summary should not exceed 2 pages (double spaced). It will be due at the end of class on April 8. Please include a title page (with your name and student number). Research beyond your chosen lectures is not a requirement. Final Examination: The final exam will cover course work primarily since the second midterm, including lectures, readings, discussions, and presentations, etc. Like the midterms, the format of the examination will be multiple choice and short/long answer. You will have a full two hours to complete the exam. Late Assignments: Evaluation will be completed and expressed in raw marks throughout the course. Grades (using the letter grading system) will be assigned only to the final distribution of mark totals for the course. Grades will be assigned based on a combination of absolute achievement and relative performance in this class and remain unofficial until approved by Faculty Council or it s designate (i.e. Associate Dean). Assignments are due at the end of class on the due date unless otherwise stipulated. A 10% penalty will be deducted each day the assignment is late. 3

4 Deferred Final Examinations: Recording of Lectures: Attendance: Accommodations: Academic Support Centre: Academic Integrity and Honesty: A student who cannot write the final examination due to incapacitating illness, severe domestic affliction or other compelling reasons can apply for a deferred final examination. Instructors do not have the authority to grant deferred final exams. An application must be made to the student s Faculty office within 48 hours of the missed examination and must be supported by a Statutory Declaration or other appropriate documentation (Section of the University of Alberta Calendar). Deferred examinations are a privilege and not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferred examination will be granted. Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a deferred examination is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour. The common dates for writing deferred final examinations for courses in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation are as follows: Winter Term 2015: Friday, May 1, 2015, 1-90 ECHA, Time: TBA Audio or video recording of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Recorded material is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the instructor. Since presence at lectures, participation in classroom discussions and projects, and the completion of assignments are important components of most courses, students will serve their interests best by regular attendance. Those who choose not to attend must assume whatever risks are involved (UofA Calendar 23.3 Attendance). Students who require accommodations in this course due to a disability affecting mobility, vision, learning impairments, or to mental or physical health are advised to discuss their needs with Specialized Support and Disability Services, Students Union Building, Phone: or TTY: For an excused absence where the cause is religious belief, a student must contact the instructors within two weeks of the start of classes to request accommodation for the term, and provide documentation to substantiate the request. Deferral of term work is a privilege and not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferral will be granted. Misrepresentation of facts to gain a deferral is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour. Students who require additional help in developing strategies for better time management, study skills or examination skills should contact the Student Success Centre (2-300 Students Union Building). The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at and avoid any behaviour that could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation or aiding and abetting any of these offences. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion 4

5 from the University. Students should understand the University of Alberta definitions for this inappropriate behaviour (1) Plagiarism No Student shall submit the words, ideas, images or data of another person as the Student s own in any academic writing, essay, thesis, project, assignment, presentation or poster in a course or program of study (2) Cheating (2)a No Student shall in the course of an examination or other similar activity, obtain or attempt to obtain information from another Student or other unauthorized source, give or attempt to give information to another Student, or use, attempt to use or possess for the purposes of use any unauthorized material (2)b No Student shall represent or attempt to represent him or herself as another or have or attempt to have himself or herself represented by another in the taking of an examination, preparation of a paper or other similar activity. See also misrepresentation in (4) (2)c No Student shall represent another s substantial editorial or compositional assistance on an assignment as the Student s own work (2)d No Student shall submit in any course or program of study, without the written approval of the course Instructor, all or a substantial portion of any academic writing, essay, thesis, research report, project, assignment, presentation or poster for which credit has previously been obtained by the Student or which has been or is being submitted by the Student in another course or program of study in the University or elsewhere (2)e No Student shall submit in any course or program of study any academic writing, essay, thesis, report, project, assignment, presentation or poster containing a statement of fact known by the Student to be false or a reference to a source the Student knows to contain fabricated claims (unless acknowledged by the Student), or a fabricated reference to a source (4) Misrepresentation of Facts No Student shall misrepresent pertinent facts to any member of the University community for the purpose of obtaining academic or other advantage. See also (2) b, c, d and e (5) Participation in an Offence No Student shall counsel or encourage or knowingly aid or assist, directly or indirectly, another person in the commission of any offence under this Code. The Truth In Education (T*I*E) project is a campus wide educational campaign on Academic Honesty. This program was created to let people know the limits and consequences of inappropriate academic behaviour. There are helpful tips for Instructors and Students. Please take the time to visit the website at: Amendments to the Code of Student Behaviour occur throughout the year. For the most recent version of the Code, visit the University Governance website at 5

6 Course Schedule: Dates: Jan 5 (M) Lecture Theme, Topic, and Instructor: Introduction (Robinson) Imagining Mountains Jan 7 (W) Wild places in western imagination and thought (Robinson) Jan 9 (F) Building Mountains Jan 12 (M) Jan 14 (W) Mountains of time: a brief history of geology (Robinson) What are mountains? (Sharp) Assignment One to be handed out and discussed in class. Plate tectonics and mountain building (Sharp) Living Mountains Jan 16 (F) Mountains as hotspots for biodiversity (Hik) Jan 19 (M) Jan 21 (W) Breathing Mountains Jan 23 (F) Adaptations of plants to high elevation (Hik) Assignment One (Part Two) is due at the end of class. Adaptations of animals to high elevation (Hik) Physiological changes (in lowlanders) to short-term mountain environment exposure (Kennedy) Jan 26 (M) Physiological changes (in lowlanders) to long-term mountain environment exposure (Kennedy) Cold Mountains, Warming Mountains Jan 28 (W) Mountains of ice: a brief history of glaciers (Robinson) Jan 30 (F) Feb 2 (M) Feb 4 (W) Mountains and climate - macro to micro (Sharp) Glaciers and the mountain world (Sharp) Film: Chasing Ice (Robinson) Feb 6 (F) MIDTERM EXAMINATION 1 Producing Mountains 6

7 Feb 9 (M) Feb 11 (W) Feb 13 (F) Feb 16 (M) Feb 18 (W) Feb 20 (F) Feb 23 (M) Feb 25 (W) High Mountains Feb 27 (F) Mar 2 (M) Mar 4 (W) Blanks on the map: mountains in cartographic imagination (Robinson) Why is there an alpine treeline? (Hik) Ecosystem services provided by mountains (Hik) Reading Week: No class Reading Week: No class Reading Week: No class Alpine club culture, sport and literature (Robinson) Film: a section of Touching the Void, with discussion to follow (Robinson) Physical attributes of highlanders (Kennedy) Acute and Chronic High-Altitude Diseases (Kennedy) Climbing to High Altitudes: from Mallory to Krakauer (Robinson) Moving Mountains Mar 6 (F) Snow and avalanches (Sharp) Mar 9 (M) Mar 11 (W) Mountain hazards avalanches, rockfalls, landslides, debris flows and flash floods (Sharp) Slope-related hazards and mountain hydrology (Sharp) Mar 13 (F) MIDTERM EXAMINATION 2 Using and Preserving Mountains Mar 16 (M) Industry, health, and nature in Canada s mountain parks (Robinson) Mar 18 (W) Mar 20 (F) Mar 23 (M) Mar 25 (W) Mar 27 (F) Sporting Mountains Mar 30 (M) Apr 1 (W) Apr 3 (F) Apr 6 (M) Mountain skiing, mountain towns, and hyper-development (Robinson) Conservation in Canada s mountain regions (Hik) Film: The Nature of Things, National Parks: Forever Wild? (Robinson/Hik) Global change at high elevations (Hik) Challenges of managing transboundary mountain ecosystems (Hik) Mountain ski traverses (Kennedy) Extreme skiing (Kennedy) Good Friday. No class. Easter Monday. No class. Apr 8 (W) Influence of mountains on occupational and research performance (Kennedy) Assignment Two is due at the end of class. Rethinking Mountains Apr 10 (F) Apr 20 (M) Mountains of exclusion (Robinson) Scheduled Final Examination 9:00 am, Room TBA 7

8 Final Note: This course outline acts as an understanding between the student and the instructor regarding the details of the course. It is understood that circumstances might develop, during a term, when a change to the course outline makes sense to all concerned. Policy about course outlines can be found in section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar. Disclaimer: Any typographical errors in this Course Outline are subject to change and will be announced in class. The date of the final examination is set by the Registrar and takes precedence over the final examination date reported in this syllabus. Copyright: Zac Robinson, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation; Michael Kennedy, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation; David Hik, Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science; Martin Sharp, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta (2015). 8

9 9