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Welcome to Mr. Tredinnick's Environmental Policy Course!

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This semester-long course examine the political landscape of the United States, through a specific emphasis of how the government develops and establishes policies regarding the environment. The course begins with an overview of the guiding principles of the formation of the government, before examining the role of different governmental and non-governmental agencies in formulating policies and legislation. Students will also examine how the policy of the United States contrasts to international frameworks on the environment. The varying levels of government will also be examined to see how policy is implemented at state, local, national, and international scales. 
Course Connection

Page Map
Unit I - Principles of Governmental Environmental Action
Unit II - Environmentalism at the Federal Level
Unit III - Influencers of Environmental Policy
Semester Project Part I
Semester Project Part II
Semester Project Part III

Unit I - Principles of Governmental Environmental Action

 
"We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors; We borrow it from our children" - Native American Proverb

Unit I Course Schedule

Week 1: Course Introduction
     (Aug 17-21)
Module 1.1: Conservationists 101
     Central Question: What is conservation and how         do different forms of government get involved? 
     Forum: Knowing the Ropes (1.1)
     Field Excursion: Getting to Know You (O&A)
​     - Arguing a Policy (Assignment)
     HW: Review Syllabus
​Module 1.2: Governmental Ideology
     Central Question: What impact can governmental       philosophies have on conservation efforts? 
     Forum: Do what you love and you'll never                                work a day in your life (1.2)
     Field Excursion: Seeing Government (Bugs)
     Map Lab: Comparing Conservation Policies                                (Assignment)
​          + Freedom and Conservation (Map)
​          + Freedom in the World
          + Environmental Performance Index
Week 4: Role of Citizens 
     (Sept 7-11)
Labor Day - Monday Sept 7th
Module 1.7: Power of the People
     Central Question: What actions can people take         to effect change within the government?                
     Forum: Forefront of Environmental                                           Protection (1.7)
     Field Lab: Land Worth Protecting Part II
     - Photos, Poetry, and Field Studies (Assignment)
     Writing Lab 1.2: Peer Review
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Seneca Chief Red Jacket of the Iroquois League
Week 2: Basic Division of Power
     (Aug 24-28)
Module 1.3: Scale of Government
     Central Question: What are the different levels of       American government and what role can they             have in protecting the environment? 
     
Forum: Who protects what? (1.3)
     - American Federalism and Public Lands (Notes)
     Writing Lab: Thesis Statement Draft
Module 1.4: Power of the People
     Central Question: In what ways is the U.S.                 Government of the people? by the people? and         for the people?
     
Forum: ​Land of the People (1.4)
     Field Excursion: Land Worth Protecting Part I                                        (Adventure Trails)
     - American Citizenship (Notes)
​     Writing Lab 1.1: Thesis Statement Drafts
   
  HW: Introduction and Outline (Due next Mod 1.5)
Week 5: The American Experiment
     (Sept 14-18)
No School - Friday Sept 18th
Module 1.8: The American Experiment
     Central Question: Where did the United States           get some of its ideas for how government should       operate? 
     Forum: American Exceptionalism (1.8) 
     - Beg, Borrow, Steal (Assignment)
          + We the People (Map)
​          + WordCloud Creator
     Writing Lab 1.3: Last Minute Edits
Module 1.9: Celebration of Knowledge
     Central Question: What are the core principles           behind the formation of the United State                     governmental system and how do those ideas           relate to environmentalism?
     Forum: Q/Q/C/C/CoO (1.9)
     Unit I Test: Principles of Environmental                       Protection
     Unit I Paper - Governmental Role in                           Environmental Protection Submission
​     HW: Kenyon: Chapters 1-8 (pages. 1-173)                         should be completed by October 30th
Week 3: American Citizenship
     (Aug 31-Sept 4)
Module 1.5: Getting Involved in the Process
     Central Question: How can American citizens             more directly get involved in the process of                 American Government and protecting the                   environment?
     
Forum: ​Why be Involved? (1.5)
     Field Excursion: Speak Your Piece (Africa)
     - Forms of Civic Participation (Notes)
          + ISideWith
     HW: Have Your Voice Heard (Assignment)
          + Nebraska Senator Lookup
     HW: Body Paragraphs drafted by 1.7
Module 1.6: Dividing Up Power
     Central Question: What are the advantages and         disadvantages of a three branch government?      
     Forum: Autocratic or Democratic? (1.6)
     - Restrictions on Power (Notes)
​     - The Antiquities Act (Assignment)
     HW: Body Paragraphs drafted by 1.7
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Unit I Notes

American Federalism and Public Lands

American Citizenship
File Size: 842 kb
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Forms of Civic Participation
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Restrictions on Power
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Unit I Position Project & Unit Review

Governmental Role in Environmental Protection

Writing Lab 1.1: Functional Thesis Statement

Thesis Statement Draft

Unit I Assignments

Arguing A Policy
File Size: 99 kb
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Arguing a Policy
​
(Module 1.1)

Beg, Borrow, Steal
File Size: 167 kb
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Beg, Borrow, Steal
​(Module 1.9)​

Comparing Conservation Policies
File Size: 259 kb
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Comparing Conservation Policies
​(Module 1.2)

Have Your Voice Heard
File Size: 68 kb
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Have Your Voice Heard
​(Module 1.5)

Photos, Poetry, and Field Studies
File Size: 113 kb
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Photos, Poetry, Field Studies
​(Module 1.7)

The Antiquities Act
File Size: 92 kb
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The Antiquities Act
​(Module 1.6)​

Unit I Resources

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Semester Project (Pt. 1) - Collecting Scientific Data for Informed Governmental Action

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” - President Theodore Roosevelt (R-NY)
 
Week 6: Field Data Collection 
     (Sept 21-25)
Module 4.1: Observe and Report
     Central Question: How is science important to             government, and government important to                   science? 
     Forum: The Importance of Data (4.1)
     - Big Data: Explaining its uses to Environmental           Science
          + All students read sections I & III
     Field Lab: First Part of a Problem
          + Marine Debris Tracker
Module 4.2: Developing a Question
     Central Question: What is the importance of a             well crafted research question in collecting data?
     Forum: Ask the Right Questions (4.2) 
     Field Lab: Data Collection Methods
          + Survey123
          + GPS & Maps (Apple)
     - Building a Research Question
     HW: Data Collection 1-3 (Per your plan before                   Part II of Semester Project)
​​     HW: Environmental Checks and Balances                          (Assignment)
          + Resisting the Deregulation of Environmental              Protection
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Unit II - Environmentalism at the Federal Level

 
"A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people." - President Franklin D. Rosevelt (D-NY, 1944)

Unit II Course Schedule

Week 7: Leading By Consensus 
     (Sept 28-Oct 2)
Module 2.1: The People's Branch
     Central Question: What is the function of the               Legislative Branch and how can it affect                     Environmental Conservation?
     Forum: Legislative Requirements (2.1)
     Discussion: Environmental Checks and                                           Balances
     - Role of the Legislative Branch (Notes)
​     - Bill to Law Flow Chart (Notes)
​          + Schoolhouse Rock: I'm Just a Bill
     HW: The Passage of the ESA (Assignment)
          + BallotPedia: History of the ESA
Module 2.2: ​The Will of the People 
     Central Question: How is decision making                   delegated to ensure best possible outcome?         
     Forum: Committees on the Environment (2.2)
     Discussion: The Passage of the ESA
     - Congressional Committees (Assignment)
          + Submission Form
     Discussion: Committee Qualifications Findings​
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Week 10: Leading with Reason
     (Oct 19-23)
Module 2.7: Providing Insight
​     Central Question: How is the Judicial Branch able       to use its powers and oversight to influence                 legislation and executive actions towards the             environment?
     Forum: Endangered Species Act (2.7)
     - A Wolf's Day in Court (Assignment)
          + Center for Biological Diversity: Minnesota                   Supreme Court Asked to Stop Killing of 400               Wolves
​          + Howling For Wolves v. Minnesota DNR
​
     - Role of the Judicial Branch (Notes)
​     HW: Dakota Access Pipeline (Assignment)
          + Dakota Pipeline (Overview of DAPL)
          + Indian Country: DAPL Illegal
          + Forbes: Let DAPL Remain Operational
Module 2.8: The Rule of Laws
     Central Question: How can influential pieces of           Legislation from the past determine actions by           the Federal Government in the present and                 Future?
     Forum: Environmental Considerations (2.8)
     Discussion: The Dakota Access Pipeline    ​
     - National Environmental Policy Act (Notes)
     HW: Preparing for Field Excursion
          + NPS Volunteering and Internship                                 Opportunities
​          + NPS Artists-in-Residence Program
Week 8: Leading By Example
     (Oct 5-9)
Parent Teacher Conference (No School) - Oct 8-9
Module 2.3: Dictating the Pace of Change
     Central Question: How may the President use           the position of their office to influence action               towards the environment?
     Forum: Presidential Actions (2.3)
     - Role of the Executive Branch (Notes)
     - Commander in Green (Assignment)
          + How Trump is Changing the Environment
          + CNBC: Trump Paris Accord Exit is Good                     News for the Environment
          + Time: Is Obama Bad for the Environment
          + WP: Obama on Saving Energy
Module 2.4: Wielding the Force of the Presidency
     Central Question: Beyond their own powers, how       can the president use their environmental                   policies to mold their legacy? 
     Forum: Shared Responsibility (2.4)
     Discussion: For Better or Worse 
   - Presidential Environmentalists (Assignment)
          + Theodore Roosevelt and the National Parks
          + Theodore Roosevelt and Conservation
          + Executive Branch Reading Room
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Week 11: Leading for All
     (Oct 26-30)
Module 2.9: The People's Parks
     Central Question: How does the National Park           Service reflect the Federal Government's role to         protect the environment?
     Forum: The Reflection of Democracy (2.9)
     Field Excursion: NPS Career Fair                             Reflection (Assignment)
          + Virtual Career Fair
Module 2.10: Celebration of Knowledge
     Central Question: Why is the Federal                         Government such an influential element in the           fight to protect and preserve the natural                       environment?
     Forum: ​Q/Q/C/C/CoO (2.10)
     Unit II Test: Environmentalism at the Federal                             Level
     HW: Kenyon Chapters 9-15 (pgs.175-282)                         should be complete before December 7th
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Week 9: Leading By Action
     (Oct 12-16)
Module 2.5: Environmental Oversight
     Central Question: Is the EPA a overburdensome         agency with too much control on regulations, or         is it necessary for executive oversight?
     Forum: Environmental Protector (2.5)
     - Gutting the EPA (Assignment)
          + The Environmental Protection Agency
          + Media Bias/Fact Check
     Discussion: The Environmental Protection                                       Agency
Module 2.6: Science and the Government's Role
     Central Question: How is scientific data collection       and analysis connected to the Federal                         Government's role of protecting citizen's                     fundamental rights of Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of       Happiness? 
     Forum: For the Good of Science! (2.6) 
     - Federal Scientific Agencies (Assignment)
          + NASA
          + NOAA
          + USGS
     HW: Federal Scientific Agencies Thought                           Question
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Unit II Notes

Bill to Law Flow Chart
File Size: 416 kb
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National Environmental Policy Act
File Size: 661 kb
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Role of the Executive Branch
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Role of the Judicial Branch
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Role of the Legislative Branch
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Unit II Review

Kenyon Reading Guide
File Size: 93 kb
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Unit II Assignments

Congressional Committees
File Size: 90 kb
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Submission Form
(Module 2.2)
Passage of the ESA
File Size: 93 kb
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The Passage of the ESA
​(Module 2.1)
Commander in Green
File Size: 198 kb
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Commander in Green
(Module 2.3)
Dakota Access Pipeline
File Size: 343 kb
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Federal Scientific Agencies
File Size: 505 kb
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Gutting the EPA
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Presidential Environmentalists
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Presidential Environmentalist
(Module 2.4)

Unit II Resources

H.O.R: Agriculture

H.O.R: Energy and Commerce

H.O.R: Natural Resources

H.O.R: Science, Space, and Technology

H.O.R: Transportation and Infrastructure

US Senate: Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

US Senate: Commerce, Science, and Transportation

US Senate: Energy & Natural Resources

US Senate: Environment and Public Works

NPS: Artists-in-Residence Program
NPS: Volunteering and Internship Opportunities
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Semester Project (Pt. II) - Collecting Scientific Data for Informed Governmental Action

“The environment is so fundamental to our continued existence that it must transcend politics and become a central value of all members of society.” - Dr. David Suzuki (1997 The Sacred Balance)
 
Week 12: Organizing Data
     (Nov 2-6)
Module 4.3: Craft Your Message
​     Central Question: How can you get others to pay       attention to your data to the point of wanting to           make a difference?
     Forum: Ways to Organize Data (4.3)
     - Importance of Storytelling: Grizzlies, Wolves,             and Koalas: Conservation Photography
     - Analyze Your Trends (Assignment)
     Map Lab: Making Maps 101
​​     HW: Data Collection 4 (Per your plan)
Module 4.4: Pushing for Change
     Central Question: Once you have collected data,       how can that data be used to make                             recommendations for informed governmental             action?
     Forum: How to Encourage Change (4.4)
     - Data Driven Action Plans
          + Examples of Action Plans
    HW: Data Collection 5-6 (Per your plan before                    Part II of Semester Project)
​​    HW: Action Plans created and carried out!

Unit III: Influencers of Environmental Policy

 
"We simply must do everything we can in our power to slow down global warming before it is too late. We can save our planet and also boost our economy at the same time." - Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA, 2006)

Unit III Course Schedule

Week 13: Local Governance
     (Nov 9-13)
Module 3.1: ​The Power of an Individual
     Central Question: How are everyday citizens able       to affect the political process, and why should             they care?
     Forum: ​A Single Grain of Rice (3.1)
     Discussion: Gaining Perspective
     Map Lab: Environmental Injustice                                                (Assignment)
          + EPA: Environmental Justice Screen​
          + NRDC: The Environmental Justice                               Movement
​     - Citizen Created Change (Assignment)
          + Atlantic: Why March for Science?
          + Nat Geo: Climate Change 101
​          + UN: Leonardo DiCaprio Message
Module 3.2: State and Local Government
     
Central Question: How do state and local                   governments operate and how can they be                 influential in the processes of environmental               policy?
     Forum: Its a State Issue (3.2)
     Discussion: Gaining Perspective (pt. II)
          + Reflection (Assignment)
     - Local Government (Notes)
     Discussion: Environmental Justice
     - State Environmentalists (Assignment)
Week 16: Information and Exposure
     (Nov 30-Dec 4)
Module 3.6: Keeping the People Informed
     Central Question: What role does the Media have       in linking the actions of the United States                    Government and the People? Why is a "Free              Media" so important in a Democracy? 
     Forum: Who Should You Trust Online? (3.6)
     Discussion: Importance of Free Media
​     - The Influence of Media (Notes)
     - Holding Our Representatives Accountable                 (Assignment)
​          + League of Conservation Voters
Module 3.7: Academia and the Ivory Tower
     Central Question: How can academic institutions       help sway governmental opinions regarding               environmental policy?
     Forum: ​The Bias of Science (3.7)
​​​     - The Ivory Towers (Assignment)
          + Top Environmental Science Schools
     - Elizabeth Warren Rips Think Tanks
  HW: End of Unit Test Module 3.8, and End of                  Book test on Module 3.9
Week 14: Philosophical Leaders
     (Nov 16-20)
Module 3.3: Tribal Governance and Conservation
     Central Question: What factors influence the               relationship between Tribal Governments and the       US Federal Government and how can that affect       their ability to work together to protect the                   environment?
     Forum: Stuck in the Past (3.3) ​
     Discussion: The Importance of Sovereignty
     Map Lab: From Whence it Came (Assignment)
          + Native Lands
          + Cessions of Nebraska
          + Indigenous Tribes Index
​     HW: Historic Roots, Modern Issues (Assignment)
          + Smithsonian Institute - Treaties Still Matter
Module 3.4: Party Politics
     
Central Question: What are the values of political       parties in the efforts to preserve the environment?
     Forum: Playing Politics with the Environment (3.4)
     - Purpose of Political Parties (Notes)
     - Researching a Position (Assignment)
     HW: Make a Plea (Assignment)
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Week 17: Finish Unit III
     (Dec 7-11)

Module 3.8: Celebration of Knowledge
     Central Question: How can people and groups           not connected directly to the Federal government       still have an impact on how the country is run?
     Forum: Q/Q/C/C/CoO (3.8)
     Unit III Test: State and Non-Governmental                                      Environmentalists
Module 3.9: Celebration of Knowledge
     Central Question: How can the goals of                       environmental conservation across interests,             political affiliations, and backgrounds?
     Forum: ​N/A
     Semester Test: Kenyon In-Class Writing
          - Kenyon Reading Test Rubric
​          - Kenyon Submission Form
Week 15: Contributions of NGOs
     (Nov 23-27)
Thanksgiving Break - Nov 25-27
​Module 3.5: The Invisible Hand That Moves
     Central Question: How are groups able to work          with and influence the government?
     Forum: Follow the Money (3.5)
​          + Open Secrets
     - The Political Machine (Notes)
     HW: Lobbying for Zoos (Assignment)
​          + Association of Zoos and Aquariums
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Unit III Notes

Interest Groups and Lobbyists
File Size: 497 kb
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Local Government
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Purpose of Political Parties
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Sub-Federal Levels of Government
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The Influence of Media
File Size: 495 kb
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The Political Machine
File Size: 524 kb
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Unit III Review

Unit III Assignments

Citizen Created Change
File Size: 380 kb
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Examining An ENGO
File Size: 421 kb
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Lobbying for Zoos
File Size: 209 kb
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Research an Issue
File Size: 207 kb
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State Environmentalists
File Size: 206 kb
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The Ivory Towers
File Size: 362 kb
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Unit III Resources

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EPA: Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool
NRDC: The Environmental Justice Movement
United States Election Project

Semester Project (Pt. III) - Proposing Action

 
"The best way to predict your future is to create it." - President Abraham Lincoln (R-IL)
Week 18: Project Work Time
     (Dec 14-18)
Module 4.5: ​State and Local Government
     
Central Question:
     Forum: 
​One Class to Tie it all together and then Present!
Module 4.5: ​Final Presentations of Findings   
     Central Question:
     Forum: ​
End of Project Reflection

Unit IV Assignments

Government RSP (For OPS Students)
File Size: 665 kb
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Researching Environmental Legislation
File Size: 428 kb
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Unit IV Resources

Congress.gov - Environment Search

Cornell - Environmental Law

EPA - Laws and Regulations

USA.gov - Environmental Laws and Regulations


Environmental Policy Course Resources

Environmental Policy Syllabus (Fall 2019)
File Size: 147 kb
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Letter of Introduction
File Size: 193 kb
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