Conservation Biology Fall 2012 Syllabus

Conservation Biology Fall 2012 Syllabus BIOL / ENTM 4015, Communication-Intensive (C-I) Course, 4 credit hours Lecture: Tues. & Thurs., 10:30 11:50 a.m., Room 210 Tureaud Hall Discussion / Recitation sections: BIOL & ENTM section 1 Wed. 1:30-2:20 p.m., Room 110 Life Sci. Bldg. BIOL & ENTM section 2 Thurs. 1:30-2:20 p.m., Room 110 Life Sci. Bldg. Instructor: Dr. Kyle E. Harms, Associate Professor, LSU Dept. Biological Sciences, A312 Life Sci. Annex Available for consultation by appointment Tel.: 225-578-7566; e-mail: kharms@lsu.edu Teaching Assistants: Metha Klock (Tel. 225-578-7567; e-mail: mklock1@tigers.lsu.edu) Course Web Site: http://www.kharms.biology.lsu.edu/biol4015fall2012.html Textbook: Groom, Martha J., Gary K. Meffe & C. Ronald Carroll. 2006. Principles of Conservation Biology. 3 rd edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland, MA, USA. Communication-Intensive (C-I) Course: This is a certified Communication-Intensive (C-I) course, which meets all of the requirements set forth by LSU s Communication across the Curriculum program, including: instruction and assignments emphasizing informal and formal writing and speaking teaching of discipline-specific communication techniques use of draft-feedback-revision process for learning practice of ethical and professional work standards at least 40% of the course grade rooted in communication-based work a student/faculty ratio no greater than 35:1 Students interested in pursuing the LSU Distinguished Communicator certification may use this C-I course for credit. For more information about this student recognition program, visit: www.cxc.lsu.edu. Course Objectives: The overarching goal of the course is to make students aware of the enormous responsibility humans have as global stewards of the land and sea. Humans alone determine the fate of our Earth s rich natural heritage. Dramatic changes are occurring in almost every corner of the world, most of them brought on by us. Human activities are changing atmospheric gases and contributing to global climate change. We are causing so many extinctions that we have entered the sixth mass extinction of life on Earth. The field of Conservation Biology is focused on protecting our remaining biological diversity. Specifically, this course focuses on ethics and scientific principles relevant to conservation, threats to biodiversity, and practical aspects of conservation. Students will be exposed to: 1) Principles of Ecology and Evolution important for conceptualizing and practically applying the science of Conservation Biology 2) Current questions being addressed by conservation-oriented research 3) Major threats to biological diversity 4) Strategies and management aimed at protecting ecosystems, biodiversity, and endangered species 5) Current political and economic concerns of conservation, the players involved, and their roles and methods To meet these objectives, you are expected to dedicate about two hours outside of class to this course for every hour you spend in class. Conservation Biology is interdisciplinary, drawing from biological disciplines including ecology, evolution, biogeography, genetics, fisheries and marine science, forestry, systematics, wildlife biology, as well as physical BIOL / ENTM 4015 Pg. 1

sciences such as geography, geology, and soil science. These scientific disciplines are combined with social sciences such as anthropology, economics, political science, and sociology. The practitioners and stake-holders include businesses, governmental agencies, private organizations, scientists, and the general public (in short, just about all humans, in one way or another). Conservation advocates from these diverse groups work together to advance science, educate laymen, and affect policy with respect to protecting biodiversity. Concerns in Conservation Biology have broad ramifications. Decisions by governments and policy makers can have huge economic and social impacts. This, in turn, leads to disagreements (or worse) among groups with competing interests. To be an informed and responsible citizen, you have to evaluate ideas and information critically, separate facts from opinions, and recognize biases and propaganda. One goal of the course is to help you develop these skills. In addition, we expect to enhance your appreciation for and knowledge of nature, to improve your ability to think holistically, to improve your writing and speaking skills, to boost your commitment to personal achievement, and to enhance your interest in and concern about contemporary environmental topics. Teaching Philosophy & Course Structure: My teaching philosophy and approach incorporate active learning. Half of your grade will be based on assignments other than exams. We ll keep you busy, but you will learn a lot through discussions, presentations, and writing assignments, along with the lectures. Lecture Class (T & Th 10:30 a.m.): I will give between 15 and 20 lectures during the semester. Even so, a good deal of time will be devoted in class to discussions of topics relevant to the lectures, reading assignments, and etc. Informal writing assignments are designed to encourage preparedness and in-class discussion. Discussion/Recitation Sections (Section 1 = W 1:30 p.m.; Section 2 = Th 1:30 p.m.): Because of their small class sizes, these 50-minute sessions are more informal and focused on student interactions. Activities in discussion/recitation sessions include: 1) Discussion of and preparation of the formal written assignment and oral presentation, together labeled the Hot Topic project, based on a current event, controversy, etc. relevant to conservation 2) Candid discussion of topics relevant to course material, including reading in addition to the textbook 3) Participation in field trips to be taken during class time details to be announced Grading & Evaluation: Half (50%) of your grade is based on three exams and half (50%) is based on other assignments (including class participation), according to the following point system: Exams First Exam Second Exam Third (Final) Exam Assignments & Class Participation Formal Written Assignment on your Hot Topic Formal Oral Presentation on your Hot Topic Informal writing (20 pts) & in-class discussion (20 pts) Discussion Section semester-long participation Total Points 200 pts 80 pts 200 pts 40 pts 40 pts 400 pts Grading Scale (based on total points earned): A = 400-360; B = 359-320; C = 319-280; D = 279-240; F < 240 Moodle: I anticipate posting your grades on Moodle. BIOL / ENTM 4015 Pg. 2

Exams: There will be two exams during the semester and a final exam at the end. All exams will have a similar format. Exams will contain a small number of multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, and true/false questions. Most of the points will be earned from short-answer questions. Questions will be taken from lectures, discussions, text chapters, other assigned readings, and any other source that I will clearly point you towards in class (in short, anything from the class is fair game ). Missed exam policy: There are no make-up exams. If a student misses an exam for any reason, the final exam score will be used as the score for the missed exam. The final exam will be partially comprehensive and is required. Students missing more than one exam will be given a score of zero on the second and subsequently missed exams. Since the final exam grade can count towards one of the other two missed exams, your final exam grade can also substitute for a lower, positive exam grade on the other two exams. Assignments & Class Participation: Formal Written Assignment & Oral Presentation of a Hot Topic: This assignment provides you with an opportunity to research a Hot Topic relevant to Conservation Biology that involves a current controversy (alternative viewpoints), current event, etc. The overall assignment combines formal written assignments with an oral presentation to the class. The writing assignments consist of a substantial and significant contribution to Wikipedia, as well as a 1-page letter to a person-of-authority, or a letter-to-the-editor, or other letter that you will send (in hopes of receiving a response). The in-class oral presentation is 8 minutes, with an additional 4 minutes for questions, and we expect you to use PowerPoint technology. Details concerning these assignments will be provided in class in a timely manner. You will be provided opportunities, especially in your Discussion / Recitation Section, to improve your writing assignments and presentation based on feedback from me, the graduate teaching assistants, your peers, and staff in the Communication across the Curriculum (CxC) studios. Keep in mind that your grades for these assignments will be based primarily on the content of your written products (Wikipedia contribution, letter to a person-of-authority) and oral presentation. Informal Writing Throughout the Semester, Linked to Informal, In-class Discussions: You will be expected to keep a written journal of thoughts, ideas, questions, and observations relevant to course content throughout the semester. The journal (which should be separate from your class notes), should contain brief summaries of our in-class discussions, questions regarding assigned reading material beyond the textbook that may serve as fodder for in-class discussion, current conservation-or-environmentally-related news items of interest to the class (with references), relevant information concerning your progress on your Hot Topic assignment, etc. Periodically during the semester I will ask you to turn in your journal to me for evaluation (an electronic Word document is preferred). I also will be looking for evidence of substantial contributions you make to in-class discussions, which may include questions you pose in class, news items you share with the class, or other substantive contributions you make to in-class discussions and then write about in your journal. Discussion Section Participation: Although this is a bit subjective, we have some criteria. First, you have to come to class to participate. Second, this class is partly about communication, and we expect to have lively discussions of controversial and interesting topics; we expect you to contribute. Third, you will be expected to have read and be able to discuss the additional readings that are assigned. Other Course Requirements & Information: Policy on Late Work: For every week day an assignment is turned in late, your grade will be lowered by 10%, unless instructed otherwise. Study Hints: To study for exams, you should do more than just read the material. You should quiz yourselves BIOL / ENTM 4015 Pg. 3

as you move through the reading material and as you go through your notes and journals. A good habit to develop is reading a few paragraphs or a section, then paraphrasing what it was about or the main conclusions. Answering questions at the end of each chapter before looking up the answers will also help. Finally, the LSU Center for Academic Success or CAS (http://cas.lsu.edu) exists to help students do well in their classes. At the Web site, consider taking their Test Your Learning Style, to see how you learn best. It s fun and helpful. Academic Civility: Meaningful and constructive dialogue is encouraged in this class and requires a degree of mutual respect, willingness to listen, and tolerance of opposing points of view. Respect for individual differences and alternative viewpoints will be maintained at all times in this class. One s words and use of language should be temperate and within acceptable bounds of civility and decency. Friendly persuasion wins friends and influences people. Aggressively arguing your point often does the opposite and stops dialogue. Plagiarism and Cheating: You are expected to do original work. This means stating, in your own words, the information you research for your written work and properly referencing words and ideas of others. It also means performing independently on exams and non-group assignments. This is serious business and infractions can severely interfere with your career aspirations. Please see the LSU Code of Student Conduct on the LSU website if you are unclear about any aspects of student conduct (http://appl003.lsu.edu/slas/dos.nsf/$content/code%2bof%2bconduct?opendocument). BIOL / ENTM 4015 Pg. 4

Conservation Biology Fall 2012 Schedule of Topics, Readings, Etc. Date Class # Topics for Lecture & Discussion Reading & Writing Assignments Part I: Ethical and Scientific Foundations of Conservation T - 8/21/12 1 Course Overview Th - 8/23/12 2 What is Conservation Biology? Principles of Conservation Biology (PCB) Ch. 1 T - 8/28/12 Hurricane Isaac No Class Th - 8/30/12 Hurricane Isaac No Class T - 9/4/12 3 Biodiversity & Threats to Biodiversity PCB Ch. 2 & 3 Th - 9/6/12 4 Conservation Values & Ethics; Ecol. Economics PCB Ch. 4 & 5 T - 9/11/12 5 Exam 1 Material from Part I Part II: Primary Threats to Biodiversity Th - 9/13/12 6 Habitat Degradation & Loss PCB Ch. 6; Journal & subject of Hot Topic due T - 9/18/12 7 Habitat Fragmentation PCB Ch. 7 Th - 9/20/12 8 Overexploitation PCB Ch. 8 T - 9/25/12 9 Species Invasions PCB Ch. 9 Th - 9/27/12 10 Climate Change PCB Ch. 10; Hot Topic progress check T - 10/2/12 11 Video Food, Inc. Th - 10/4/12 12 Exam 2 Material from Part II Part III: Solving Environmental (& Other) Complex Problems T - 10/9/12 13 Conservation Genetics PCB Ch. 11 Th - 10/11/12 14 Species & Landscape Approaches PCB Ch. 12 T - 10/16/12 15 Protected Areas PCB Ch. 14 Th - 10/18/12 16 Restoration PCB Ch. 15 T - 10/23/12 17 Ecosystem Approaches to Conservation PCB Ch. 13; Journal due & Hot Topic progress check Guest Lecture Bryan Piazza (TNC) Th - 10/25/12 18 In-class Wikipedia discussion Sat - 10/27/12 Hurricane make-up date class will not meet work on your Hot Topic assignment on your own T - 10/30/12 19 Sustainable Development PCB Ch. 16 Th - 11/1/12 20 Integration of Science & Policy PCB Ch. 17 T - 11/6/12 21 Panel Discussion Melanie Driscoll (Audubon); C.C. Lockwood; Latimore Smith (TNC) Th - 11/8/12 22 In-class oral presentations of Hot Topics T - 11/13/12 23 In-class oral presentations of Hot Topics Th - 11/15/12 24 In-class oral presentations of Hot Topics T - 11/20/12 25 In-class oral presentations of Hot Topics Th - 11/22/12 Thanksgiving Holiday - No Class T - 11/27/12 26 In-class oral presentations of Hot Topics Th - 11/29/12 27 In-class course evaluations & wrap-up Hot Topic written assignment due (i.e., completed Wikipedia contribution in your sandbox and letter to a person-of-authority turned in to Dr. Harms or Metha) Wednesday, Dec. 5 Revised 10/30/12 28 Exam 3 (Final Exam) 12:30 p.m. Comprehensive, but emphasizing material from Part III BIOL / ENTM 4015 Pg. 5