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Welcome to Mr. Tredinnick's International Relations (World Environmentalism Focus) Course!
In an increasingly interconnected world, we as a species are becoming more closely tied together economically, politically, socially, and environmentally. This semester-long course builds upon the ideas of the foundations of government, as examined in the development of the Environmental Policy of the United States, but on a global scale. This course builds upon those concepts to examine the foundations of our global systems and how they interact with the natural world. As a special topics course, International Relations: World Environmentalism combines topics from International Relations, Environmental Science, Physical Geography, and Global Studies to examine the world from a geopolitical perspective. Incorporating topics from economics, anthropology, sociology, geography (physical and human), history, and political science students will develop an understanding of the importance of global cooperation and governance to achieve the goals of environmental conservation and action.
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Page Map
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Week 1: Separately Towards a Common Goal
(Jan 3-7th) Module 1.1: Orient Your Place in the World
Guiding Inquiry: How do individuals fit into a global understanding of environmentalism and interconnectedness? Forum: Making Meaning for Yourself (1.1) - Pre-Semester Evaluation (Activity) Discussion: Global Interconnectedness? + Carl Sagan: Pale Blue Dot + Discovery News: Is the Butterfly Effect Real? Geoinquiry: Recognize Your Place (Activity) Discussions: Course Guidelines and Expectations 
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Week 2: Environmental Umbrella of the UN
(Jan 10-14th) Module 1.2: The Environmentalism Pathway
Guiding Inquiry: How was the idea of environmentalism formed and how has it diffused over space and time? Forum: Why Focus on Parks? (1.2) - Origins of Conservationism (Notes) Geoinquiry: An American Idea? (Assignment) + 10 Oldest National Parks Module 1.3: The Concert of the World
Guiding Inquiry: What is the United Nations and how can it help guide global environmentalism? Forum: Value of a Unifying Government (1.3) - Environmental Structures of the UN (Notes) - Sustainability through Cooperation (Assignment) + UN Sustainable Development Goals HW: Critiquing the UN's SDGs (Assignment) Week 4: Bringing it All Together
(Jan 24-28th) Module 1.6: Global Enterprise
Guiding Inquiry: How are corporations contributing to environmental issues in both a positive and negative way? Forum: To Be Trusted? (1.6) Discussion: Climate and Economics - Multinational Corporations (Notes) Scientific Modeling: Partners in a Solution (Assignment) HW: Unit I Celebration of Knowledge Next Week Module 1.7: A Global Helping Hand
Guiding Inquiry: How do International Non- Governmental Organizations (INGOS) work to fill the gaps in conservation by the efforts of States and other international actors? Forum: Keep The Government Out of It! (1.7) - Environmental INGOs (Notes) - Make a Sales Pitch! (Assignment) HW: Unit I Celebration of Knowledge Next Class! |
Week 3: Worldwide Environmental Actors
(Jan 17-21nd) No School Jan 17th - Martin Luther King Jr. Day Module 1.4: A Global Approach to Conservation
Guiding Inquiry: Is the United Nations an appropriate agency to tackle environmental conservation? Forum: All or Nothing? (1.4) Discussion: Sustainability Through Cooperation Discussion: Recap (Critiquing the UN's SDGs) HW: Paris Climate Agreement (Assignment) + Mindscape: Paris Agreement Simplified + CFR: Consequences of Leaving the Paris Agreement Module 1.5: National Environmentalism
Guiding Inquiry: How do countries work together as individuals as part of a global whole to address larger issues like environmental protection? Forum: The Sum of All Parts (1.5) - Environmental Cooperation (Notes) Geoinquiry: A Global Effort (Assignment) + International Environmental Agreements (Dataset) + Submission Form HW: Climate and Economics (Assignment) + Media Bias Factcheck Week 5: Bringing it All Together
(Jan 31st - Feb 4th) Module 1.8: A Celebration of Knowledge
Guiding Inquiry: How does the world work together towards the goal of Environmental protection? What types of things are counter- productive towards achieving conservationism? Forum: Unit I - Q/C/C/C/CoO (1.8) - Unit I Celebration of Knowledge: International Cooperation + Submission Form Field Experience: Decompress (K.O.T.N) HW: The "Haves" and the "Have Nots" (Assignment) |
Unit I Notes
Unit I Celebration of Knowledge
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Unit I Assignments
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Unit I Resources
World Socialist Website: The Only Solution to Climate Change is World Socialism
Christian Science Monitor: What Does Climate Change Have to Do With Socialism?
Harvard Political Review: Who's Really Responsible for Climate Change?
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Week 6: The World and Our Place In It
(Feb 7-11th) Module 2.1: The Anthropocene
Guiding Inquiry: What is the Anthropocene and is it a fair way to classify our current time period? Forum: Perceived Self Importance? (2.1) - David Attenborough - A Life on Our Planet - Smithsonian: What is the Anthropocene - Scientific American: The Term "Anthropocene" is Popular, and Problematic Module 2.2: Viewing the World as a Cornucopia
Guiding Inquiry: What responsibility do we have to maintain natural resources? Or are they simply here for our use? Forum: When is enough, enough? Field Experience: Supporting a Population (Gorillas) - Population's Strain on Resources (Notes) Discussion: Environmental Determinism (Assignment) Thought Co. - Environmental Determinism 
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Week 7: Human-Environment Interactions
(Feb 14th-18th) Module 2.3: Where we Decide to Live
Guiding Inquiry: How are concentrations of human connected to the natural environment around the world? Forum: Who conquers who? (2.3) Discussion: Determinism and Possibilism Map Quest: Putting Ourselves in Danger? (Activity) - iied: The World's Fastest Growing Cities - US Census Bureau: Fastest Growing Cities in the U.S. - Mapquest Basemap Module 2.4: Life As We Know It
Guiding Inquiry: What impacts are we having on the plants and animals we share the planet with? Forum: How to get people to care? (2.4) - Are We in the 6th Mass Extinction? Field Experience: AVARA (Activity) + Complete AVARA Worlds Kenya Activity + Anthropocene Ivory Burn + National Geographic World in 2070 (Must have instagram on mobile device) HW: Until They May Return (Assignment) Week 9: Tying it all Together
(Feb 28th- March4th) No School March 3rd - Science Fair Module 2.7: What is at Stake
Guiding Inquiry: How can human's effect on the planet be seen in our interactions with others? Forum: We all Sink (2.7) + Most Shocking Second a Day + OMAM: We Sink Discussion: Connection to Resources + CFR: Global Conflict Tracker - Types of Conflicts (Notes) Module 2.8: Celebration of Knowledge
Guiding Inquiry: How is the impact of humans visible on the cultural landscape and how does that affect us in turn? Forum: Q/C/C/C/CoR 2 (2.8) - Unit II Celebration of Knowledge: Human Habitation |
Week 8: Our Imprint on the World
(Feb 21-25th) No School Jan 21st - President's Day Module 2.5: Our Relationship with Others
Guiding Inquiry: How do human's economic habits affect the planet's species? Forum: Limits to Ownership? (2.5) Field Experience: Until they may Return (Asia) Discussion: Trophy Hunting + Adam Ruins Everything: Trophy Hunting - Wildlife Trade E.S.P.N. (Assignment) + NRDC: Wildlife Trade 101 + Submission Form - Anthropocene: The Human Epoch (1:06:30- 1:21:11) Module 2.6: Some Like it Hot?
Guiding Inquiry: To what extent are humans involved in the processes of climate change and how could we be affected? Forum: The Concern of All (2.6) Geoinquiry: Watching Climate Change (Assignment) + Submission Form - Thinking About Climate Change (Assignment) + National Geographic Encyclopedia: Climate Change - Climate Change (Notes) 
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Unit II Notes
Unit II Celebration of Knowledge
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Unit II Assignments
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Unit II Resources
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Week 10: Personal Responsibility
(Mar 7-11th) Module 3.1: The Actions of Many
Guiding Inquiry: Why are actions at all levels needed to address Earth's biggest problems? Forum: Local Action, Global Responsibility (3.1) - Local and Global Impact (Assignment) + UN Sustainable Development Goals HW: Gotcha Being Good Module 3.2: Making a Living in Conservation
Guiding Inquiry: How can you use your interests for a future career to help make the planet better for everyone? Forum: Private Sector or Public Good? (3.2) Discussion: Where ever there is work + National Geographic Grants + Paul Salopek: Out of Eden + Rolex Scholarship - Getting Your Hands Green (Assignment) + BLS: Occupation Finder |
Week 11: Saving the World, Slowly but Surely
(Mar 21 - 25th) Module 3.3: Everybody Doing their Part
Guiding Inquiry: What role do different individuals, organizations, and corporations have in taking action? Forum: Whose Responsibility is It? (3.3) - Effects of Resource Extraction (Notes) + The Lorax 360 Expedition: Clearing Everest's Trash Global Digital Citizenship Integration Module 3.4: Individuals Making a Difference
Guiding Inquiry: How can individuals use the scientific process to investigate and solve global issues? Forum: Do What You Love...(3.4) - Chasing Coral + XL Catlin Sea Survey - Using Science to Solve a Problem (Assignment) |
Week 12: Individuals Doing Their Part
(Mar 28th - April 1st) Module 3.5: Becoming a Glocal Change-Maker
Guiding Inquiry: How can local activities by individual change-makers have global significance? Forum: Whats their face?? (3.5) - Glocal Impact (Assignment) + Bunker Roy: Learning from a Barefoot Movement - A Person of Interest (Assignment) + Submission Link Class Discussion: What can you do to become a change maker? HW: Research a Country's Park System 
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Unit III Notes
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Unit III Assignments
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Unit III Resources
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Week 13: Diffusion of Conservation
(Apr 4-8th) No School April 5th - Junior ACT Testing Module 4.1: America's Best Idea, Onward
Guiding Inquiry: Why would an idea like a system of protected areas be such a popular idea among countries all over the world? Forum: A Matter of Pride (4.1) Geoinquiry: Global Network of Parks (Assignment) HW: Finish Story Maps For Next Class + Story Map Submission Form Module 4.2: Of International Importance
Guiding Inquiry: How does the involvement of an organization like the UN add credibility to conservation efforts? Forum: Sharing With the World (4.2) Discussion: Global Network of Parks - UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Notes) + World Heritage Explained - Taking a Virtual Tour (Assignment) + Google Earth + UNESCO World Heritage Sites 
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Week 14: Setting Aside for Generations
(Apr 5-9th) No School April 15th - Teacher Work Day Module 4.3: For the Good of ALL
Guiding Inquiry: What does the world as a whole gain through the conservation of cultural and natural areas? Forum: Pitter Patter (4.3) Geoinquiry: Global Protected Areas (Assignment) + World Database of Protected Areas Discussion: Global Protected Areas HW: Nationalize or Privatize? (Assignment) Module 4.4: Marine Protected Reserves
Guiding Inquiry: Why are Marine Protected Areas needed and why are they so much harder to organize? Forum: Territorial Waters vs. Open Ocean (4.4) Discussion: Nationalize or Privatize? - Maritime Borders and Law (Notes) + Protected Planet: Marine Protected Areas + Pristine Seas Field Experience: Recreating a Masterpiece (Aquarium) 360 Expedition: Indonesia's Coral Reefs HW: Unit IV Celebration of Knowledge Next Week 
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Week 15: Taking a Stand for Nature
(Apr 18-22nd) No School April 18th - Teacher Work Day Module 4.5: Collateral Damage
Guiding Inquiry: What factors complicate the goals of protecting and preserving wild places? Forum: Against the Greater Good (4.5) - Virunga: Gorillas in Peril + Virunga Discussion: Human Life or Conservation? 360 Expedition: The Protectors, Walk in Ranger's Shoes + Alt NPS Module 4.6: Celebration of Knowledge
Guiding Inquiry: What is the value of parks and their preservation Forum: Q/C/C/C/CoR (4.6) - Unit IV Celebration of Knowledge: Parks and Preserves - To Protect and Preserve for All 
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Unit IV Notes
Unit IV Celebration of Knowledge |
Unit IV Assignments
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Unit IV Resources
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PEW Research Center: Nationalizing State Parks canSave Them...Or Wreck Them
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Week 16: Writing Your Own Earth Story
(Apr 25-29th) Module 5.1: Tourism: Building Global Awareness
Guiding Inquiry: How can tourism be helpful for increasing a person's global awareness and what effects might it have on the local environment? Forum: Your Environmental Journey (5.1) - Travel and Tourism (Notes) Field Experience: Tourism and the Local Economy (Guest Services) - Ecotourism in Peril (Assignment) + Tourism Review: Tourism Industry in Galapagos is Blooming + Nordic Labour Journal: Iceland's Tourism Becomes a Hot Environmental Topic Module 5.2: Ecotourism: The Good and Bad
Guiding Inquiry: What effect does geographic location have on tourism? How can countries support economic growth through tourism and limit resulting environmental degradation? Forum: Tourism: The Good and Bad (5.2) Geoinquiry: Finding a Piece of Quiet (Assignment) HW: Act Section of Geoinquiry |
Week 17: Planning Your EcoAdventure
(May 2-6th) Module 5.3: Building an Experience
Guiding Inquiry: How can people have a positive global impact with their vacations? Forum: Recapping a Piece of Quiet (5.3) Field Experience: Just Not the Same (Alaska) - Design an EcoAdventure: Project Overview - Design an EcoAdventure: Project Justification Module 5.4: Choosing Your Adventure
Guiding Inquiry: How can you plan a trip to be enjoyable and informative to get the most out of it? Forum: Where ya going? (5.4) - Design an EcoAdventure: Site Scouting 
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Week 18: Planning Your EcoAdventure
(May 9-13) Module 5.5: Finalizing Your Adventure
Guiding Inquiry: How can individuals benefit from expanding their worldview through travel? Forum: Q/C/C/C/CoR (5.5) - Complete Design an EcoAdventure Project - Design an EcoAdventure: Grading Rubric Module 5.6: Project Presentations
Guiding Inquiry: How can you use your travel experiences to help others better understand the world? Forum: EcoAdventure Submission (5.6) - Design an EcoAdventure: Reflection - Student Survey 
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Design an EcoAdventure
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Unit V Assignments
Unit V Notes
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Unit V Resources
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