COURSE
DESCRIPTION:
THE OLYMPIC
PENINSULA: SALMON, TIMBER and ENERGY
2000-2001: Fall, Winter, Spring/Coordinated
Study
Program Faculty:
Rob Cole:
extension 6714
Sharon
Anthony: extension 6654
Ken Tabbutt
(FW): extension 6558
Meyer
Louie: extension 5145
Enrollment: 69(FW), 69(S)
Prerequisites: High school algebra.
Faculty Signature: No
Special Expenses: One weeklong field trip
per quarter approximately $125 per trip.
Internship Possibilities: No
Travel Component: One weeklong field trip
per quarter.
In this program we will study the natural
history of the Olympic Peninsula while exploring the effects of human
activities on the land. We will also examine the effects of the landscape on
the humans that came to live on the Peninsula. To do this we will investigate
three themes that are currently embroiled in controversy on the Peninsula:
salmon, timber and energy. With some species of salmon on the Peninsula
currently listed as threatened species by the federal government, significant controversy
regarding forest practices and whether to log remaining old-growth timber and
disagreement about removing hydroelectric dams from the Peninsula, these issues
are both timely and serve as metaphors for human interaction with the
environment. While these elements are interrelated, we will focus our attention
on a single issue during each of the three quarters of this program.
Students will read accounts from early
settlers in an attempt to explore the historical roots of our land use and
resource extraction policies. We will study the natural history of salmon and
timber on the Peninsula and survey the history of human use of these resources.
We will examine closely the human interactions with the environment—population
growth, environmental degradation, use of natural resources, water quality and
allocation and issues of ecological health, and we will examine related current
environmental policy topics. We will construct mathematical models of these
systems, run computer simulations to study their dynamics and explore
implications of our simulations. In addition, we will use field sampling
techniques to gather data about water and soil quality and use Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) as a powerful tool with which to study human
interaction with the environment.
Activities will include field trips,
fieldwork, seminar discussions, lectures, interactive workshops, simulated
public hearings, science laboratories, computer labs and group projects.
Students will work collaboratively in small groups throughout the program, and
will be expected to develop substantive group-process skills.
This will be a demanding program that will
require a significant amount of time commitment (at least 40 to 50 hours per
week) from each student. Students can expect to learn a significant amount of
natural and human history associated with the Olympic Peninsula, to wrestle
with conflicting environmental values, become engaged with current
environmental policy issues, develop facility with mathematical modeling, field
sampling and GIS skills and hone their writing and public presentation skills.
Credit will be awarded in environmental
history, natural history, public policy, earth science, mathematical modeling,
field studies and writing.
Program is preparatory for careers and future
studies in environmental studies, biological or physical sciences, public
policy, medicine, mathematical and computer modeling of environmental systems.
Total: 16 credits each quarter.
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MORE
INFORMATION:
Our program will focus upon three aspects of
the Olympic Peninsula: salmon, timber, and energy. Each of these
areas has played an important role in the Peninsula's history, and each of them
is also embroiled in current controversy. One of our overall program
goals is to attempt to determine how humans can interact with the ecosystems of
the Peninsula in a healthier manner than they have in the past.
We will start fall quarter with an
examination of salmon and the salmon cycle. These fish are emperiled on
the Peninsula, and have become the focus of intense state efforts to restore
some health to the annual salmon runs. The salmon issue is not simple,
but is linked to a variety of other issues in the region. We'll be
studying both that past history and future prospects for salmon in the Pacific
Northwest while observing the fall runs in local streams.
Winter quarter we'll turn our attention to
timber and some of the logging towns on the Peninsula. Spring quarter
we'll be examining some of the controversy associated with some hydroelectric
dams on the Peninsula, and their potential removal. Spring quarter will
also afford opportunity for independent research projects in off-campus
settings.
This program will be academically challenging
and should appeal to those of you who are interested in the natural world, or
any of the environmental sciences. You can plan upon being in class about
16 hours a week, Monday through Thursday. You can expect to devote
another 20 to 40 hours outside of class to readings, lab and workshop
assignments, writing, and reflective journal keeping. You will find yourself
working evenings and weekends. However, if you are willing to invest the
effort, we think you will gain a number of marketable skills as a result of
this program.
We assume that everyone is beginning at the
same place and with no prior knowledge of what we will teach. We are not
going to go so fast that, if you make a good, honest effort, we will leave you
behind. Secondly, the faculty, lab assistants, and tutors are all here to
help you. We assume that you will need help at one point or another, so
don't feel shy about asking for it. The only mistakes you can make are in
not putting out your best effort consistently, and in not asking questions or
asking for help when you don't understand something. Thirdly, it helps to
have fun while doing work, and we'll be encouraging you to set up study groups
to meet to discuss and work on the assignments.
Because we will be doing fieldwork in a
region where it rains a lot, you will need rain gear. You don't need
expensive gear -- plastic rain jackets and pants are available at local
hardware and discount stores for less than $30. If you think to wear
layers of clothing that you can put on or take off as necessary, you will be
comfortable. Hiking boots or very study walking shoes are a necessity.
You will need a sleeping bag, sleeping pad,
and a tent -- if you have one already (if not, let's see if we'll have enough
to share). Warm clothes (wool or polyester/fleece -- not cotton) make the
most sense for fieldwork.
THE FIRST CLASS MEETING IS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER
25th, AT 9 am IN LECTURE HALL 5.
Below are our weekly schedule, a list of
books, and the fall quarter credit equivalencies.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE:
Monday 9 -
12 LH 5 1 -
3: Lab I 1037, 1040, 1051 or Seminar 4121
Tuesday 9 -
12 & 1 - 4 Lab I 3046 or
Lab II 1234
Wednesday 9 - 12 LH 5
Thursday 9 -
5
Challenge Class at CRC; Fieldwork/trip at bus stop loop
FALL QUARTER REQUIRED BOOKS:
What
the River Reveals, by Valarie Rapp, The Mountaineers
Salmon Without Rivers, by Jim Lichatowich, Island Press
Haboo: Native American Stories from Puget Sound, by Vi Hilbert,
University of Washington Press
Olympic Ecosystems of the Peninsula, by Pat O'hara and Michael Smithson, Amer. &
World Geographic Pub.
Messages from Frank's Landing, by Charles Wilkinson, University of
Washington Press
Pacific Salmon and Wildlife: Ecological Contexts, Relationships, & Implications
for Management, by Cederholm et al.
WE ALSO ASK THAT YOU PURCHASE A TEXAS
INSTRUMENTS TI-89 GRAPHING CALCULATOR.
TENTATIVE FALL QUARTER CREDITS (16):
2
Seminar of Salmon Ecology
4
Introduction to Environmental Science Laboratory and Field Methods
4
Introduction to Writing
4
Group Dynamics and Outdoor Skills
2
College Algebra