Course Number:  IPE 1013, Section 001
Meeting Times:  T, R,  10:30 - 11:45 PM
Meeting Place:  101 Gould Hall
 

1. Understanding the impacts on the natural world involved in the production of some key consumer goods, and the disposal of wastes involved in production and consumption of these goods.  You will learn about "Life Cycle Assessment" (LCA), which is a way of tracing these impacts.
2. Understanding the typical American consumer lifestyle, and the social and economic structures that support it.   You will use the concept of the "Ecological Footprint" to get a sense of the environmental impact of this lifestyle, and how it compares to lifestyles in other countries.
3. Understanding and critically responding to ethical critiques of consumerism as a system of values, in particular critiques based on values associated with nature.  You will examine Consumerism and Environmentalism, construed as two broad value-systems.
4. Understanding how physical structures like Malls can be interpreted as symbolic expressions of the attitudes and values implicit in the consumer lifestyle, in particular the attitudes and values regarding the natural environment.

Throughout the term, we hope you will come to appreciate how a fuller understanding of the above issues is obtained via complementary contributions from different academic disciplines.  You will engage in learning activities designed to show how different academic disciplines frame and answer questions, and you will work on developing an outlook on the mall that integrates these diverse approaches.

This course serves as the introduction to the Interdisciplinary Perspectives on the Environment (IPE) minor.  For further information on the minor please consult the IPE web site, or ask Prof. Trachtenberg.  It also satisfies the Gen.Ed. Social Science (Core Area III) requirement.
  

4.  Course Schedule

The Schedule page on this web site shows the dates for each unit, the faculty member who will lead it, and the due dates for course work.  The Schedule will also contain links to reading assignments.
 

5.  Course Readings

The readings for this course will be available most easily over the Internet.  Some will be web sites, which you will be able to access directly from the Readings page.  Other readings will be available over OU's Electronic Reserve system, (listed under IPE 1013/1, Dr. Anex).  Paper copies of these readings will also be available at the Bizzell Library Reserve Desk . 
 

6.  Course Work

The work for this course is designed to test you on each of the four goals listed above.
 

1. To test your understanding of the idea of environmental impacts of consumer goods, you will be given a take-home assignment on Life Cycle Assessement.  You will receive the assignment on September 10; it will be due September 17.  This test will be worth 20% of your final grade.
2. To test your understanding of the relative environmental impacts of the typical American lifestyle and several international examples, you will be given a mid-term exam on Ecological Footprints.  The exam will be given on October 24.  The mid-term will be worth 20% of your final grade.
3. To test your understanding of the values associated with Consumerism and Environmentalism, you will write a short (1000 word) paper on the essay "Looking for Nature at the Mall," by Jennifer Price (available through Electronic Reserves).  You must turn in a rough draft of your essay on November 21.  At that class you will work on revising your paper with other students.  The final draft of your paper is due November 26.  Turning in your draft is worth 5% of your final grade (your draft will not be graded; you will receive the points if the draft is acceptable).  The final draft is worth 20% of your final grade.
4. To test your understanding of the symbolic meaning of shopping malls you will do a final exam on a local mall.  The specific content of the final will be distributed and discussed at the last class, December 12.  (The final will also include some questions about the goals 1 - 3.)  The final will be given December 19, at 8:00 AM; you will be permitted to use a page of your own notes during the exam.  The final exam will be worth 35% of your final grade.

More detailed descriptions of the various assignments will be posted on the Assignments page on this web site during the term.
 

7. Course Web site

8.  Other Information

Faculty advisor.  After the ADD/DROP period you will be assigned a faculty advisor; each of the faculty for this class will be given responsibility for one third of the class.  Your faculty advisor will grade all of your assigned work.  You should discuss any questions or concerns you have about the course, and with your own progress in it, with your faculty advisor.

Grading.  As noted, all your work will be graded by your faculty advisor; the three faculty will coordinate their grading to ensure consistent standards across the class.  All work will be graded on the basis of 100 points.  At the end of the semester your scores on all the assignments will be averaged together according to the weights listed above.  Your point score will be converted to a letter grade according to the following scale: 90 and above = A; 80 to 90 = B; 70 to 80 = C; 60 to 70 = D; below 60 = F.  If you are close to a border line, your faculty advisor may raise your grade in light of his or her assessment of your attendance (see Attendance below).

You can keep track of your scores and your APPROXIMATE cumulative grade during the term on the Grades page on this web site (listed by secret ID code).  It will be your responsibility to bring any errors in the record of your grades to your faculty advisor's attention.

Late Work.  Late work will only be accepted if arranged in advance with your faculty advisor, and only on the basis of a substantial and demonstrable hardship (e.g. a verified medical, family, or job-related emergency), or religious observance (see below).

Attendance.  Full and punctual attendance is expected, and students will be unable to do well without attending class and arriving on time.  Attendance here includes paying attention.  Your mere physical presence is not enough--we expect you to take part in the activities of the class.

Religious observances.  It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide without penalty for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays.  If you are unable to complete assigned work by a scheduled due date due to your religious observance, please contact your faculty advisor to arrange for an alternative due date.

Cell phones.  Please turn off cell phones before you come to class.  If you must be available for a call, set your phone to signal you silently, and take the call in the hallway.

Academic Misconduct.  We will rigorously enforce the University's policies on academic misconduct.  In written work you must cite all the sources you consult.  However, respect for academic conduct is consistent with fully participating in groups.  Honesty simply demands that you acknowledge help you receive from other members of your group--in or out of class--on your own written work.  In fact we urge you to discuss the issues of the course outside of class--but you must do your written work on your own, and must cite any assistance you receive from others.  Please ask us if you have any questions about academic conduct in general, or about specific situations that might arise during this course.

Reasonable Accommodation.  Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent him or her from fully demonstrating his or her abilities should contact his or her faculty advisor personally as soon as possible so we can discuss accommodations necessary to ensure his or her full participation and facilitate his or her educational opportunities.