Water and Society
FISH 101 Winter 2011—Syllabus
Instructors
Julian D. Olden
Office: Fisheries Science Blg., Room 317A
Email: olden@uw.edu
Office Hours: After lecture
Website: http://fish.washington.edu/olden
Daniel E. Schindler
Office: Fisheries Science Blg., Room 320A
Email: deschind@uw.edu
Office Hours: After lecture
Website: http://fish.washington.edu/schindler
TAs: Laura Twardochleb (ltwardoc@uw.edu) Tim Walsworth (tewals@uw.edu)
TA Office hours: Twardochleb (Section AA, AC, AH; Th 12-1pm,), Walsworth (Section AB, AE, AF; W 1-2pm)
Class info
Class location: FSH 102
Lecture hours: MWF 10:30-11:20
Discussion hours:T 9:30-11:20 (x2), T 11:30-1:20, Th 9:30-11:20, Th 1:30-3:20, Th 2:30-4:20
Credits: 5
Course info:
“Whiskey is for drinking; water is for fighting over” - Mark Twain
Water will be the Oil of the 21st century and beyond-the invaluable commodity that determines the wealth of nations, and the health of humans and the freshwater ecosystems upon which we depend. We all know too well the importance of clean, fresh water; but do you know the real reasons why water shortages have led to environmental degradation and intense social conflicts throughout the globe? Many of the most dangerous human diseases are water-borne; how are society's actions exacerbating these? Why is the biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems the most imperiled on the planet? Is Seattle really a 'wet' place or are we running out of sustainable water supplies? This course will examine these and many related questions to improve our understanding of human dependencies and effects on freshwater ecosystems.
Course Impetus
Water, the bloodstream of the biosphere, determines the sustainability of living systems. Despite the abundance of water on the Earth, the small proportion that is fresh is coming under increasing pressure as human populations increase and climate warms. These global changes are generating new conflicts between the needs of humans and the basic requirements of aquatic ecosystems. It is now abundantly clear that there are limits to the amount of water that can be withdrawn from the environment before natural functioning and productivity, native species, and the services and products the environment provides become severely degraded. Water managers and political leaders are becoming increasingly cognizant of these limits as they are being confronted with endangered species or water quality regulations, and changing societal values concerning ecological protection. In the face of prevailing management practices and growing demands for fresh water, will society be able to sustain healthy aquatic and riparian ecosystems capable of benefiting human populations?
Course Objectives
The objective of this course is to provide an understanding of the complex relationships between human societies, water resources, and aquatic ecosystems. We will accomplish this by exploring human and natural systems and their dependence on fresh water at multiple scales. Topics of interest include global change, ecosystem services, fisheries, water pollution, urbanization, land use, climate change, watershed and river basin management, stakeholder processes, and water policy. Relevant examples will be drawn from the United States and from around the world.
Instructors
The instructors endeavor to keep the course content timely and relevant to stimulate student discussion and participation for the most enjoyable and effective learning. Julian Olden and Daniel Schindler are professors in the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. Olden’s research focuses on the ecology of freshwater ecosystems, in particular the conservation of native biodiversity in light of hydrologic alteration by dams, climate change and biological invasions. Schindler’s research focuses on understanding issues such as climate change, fisheries exploitation, watershed development, and nutrient cycling for the integrity of aquatic ecosystems.
Learning Outcomes
As a result of this course, students will have a strong understanding of the tight linkages between water, the environment, and human society. Specifically, this course aims to i) introduce students to contemporary issues and challenges in freshwater ecology and resource management; ii) develop student’s skills to critically evaluate scientific information; iii) develop student’s writing skills to effectively communicate issues to a variety of audiences; iv) increase awareness that human existence depends on a supply of clean and abundant water; and v) explore ways that individuals and society can reduce their impacts on water resources.
Method of Instruction and Assignments
Lectures: This course will consist of three 50-minute lectures per week.
Exams: Mid-term and final exams will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions, requiring both a specific and broad understanding of the lecture and discussion material.
Water Footprint Assignment: Did you know that it takes roughly 20 gallons of water to make a pint of beer, as much as 132 gallons of water to make a 2-liter bottle of soda, and about 500 gallons, including water used to grow, dye and process the cotton, to make a pair of Levi's jeans? Do you know your water footprint? Hang on … what is a water footprint? The water footprint of an individual, community or business is defined as the total volume of freshwater that is used to produce the goods and services consumed by the individual or community or produced by the business. This assignment will involve the calculation of your personal water footprint and an evaluation of the determining factors.
Article Review Assignment: You are required to write a 2-page review/critique of a scientific paper that addresses a current environmental issue in the freshwater sciences. The goal of this assignment is for you to review a technical (peer-reviewed) ‘water science’ paper and translate its key message into an interesting and accessible article for the public. You can decide what the outlet for your paper might be (e.g., the local newspaper, a popular magazine, a website) and tailor your essay to coherently and interestingly convey the message of the technical paper.
Media Assignment: For this assignment you must develop an advertisement for a product, corporation, or organization (existing or fictitious) that conveys some of the technical information about water sciences that has been covered in this course
Documentary Blogs: During the quarter you will view 3 documentaries that illustrate many of the topics discussed in class. You are expected to attend these documentaries, write a blog entry and actively participate in the discussion.
Debate: You will participate in an active debate regarding a current environmental issue among your peers.
Grading
| GRADING | % of final grade |
|---|---|
Mid-term exam #1 |
10% |
Mid-term exam #2 |
20% |
Water footprint assignment |
10% |
Article review assignment |
10% |
Media assignment |
10% |
Documentary Blogs and Debate (4 total) |
10% |
Final exam |
30% |
Total |
100% |
Honors Section
Please complete the Honors Program form and return to one of the Instructors at the beginning of the quarter (not the University Honors Program). Honors assignment will be distributed by the Instructors.
Textbook
None. Select readings will be provided by the instructors and TAs and will be tested on the exams when notified.
Topics
| Date | Lecture | Discussion/Assignments |
|---|---|---|
January |
|
|
Week 1 |
|
|
4 We |
Water: the bloodstream of the biosphere (O) |
No Discussion in first week |
5 Th |
|
|
6 F |
The Global Hydrologic Cycle (S) |
|
Week 2 |
|
|
9 Mo |
Freshwater ecosystems: Lakes & wetlands (S) |
Introduction to FISH 101 (Class Expectations) |
10 Tu |
|
|
11 We |
Freshwater ecosystems: Rivers & streams (O) |
|
12 Th |
|
|
13 Fr |
Guest lecture: Dr. George Pess (NOAA Fisheries) “Water as a force shaping the Earth’s surface” |
|
Week 3 |
|
|
16 Mo |
NO CLASS: Martin Luther King Day |
Documentary Blog: Due on Sunday night
|
17 Tu |
|
|
18 We |
Ecosystem services provided by freshwaters (S) |
|
19 Th |
|
|
20 Fr |
Water conflicts and resolution (O) |
|
Week 4 |
|
|
23 Mo |
Freshwater Biodiversity and Conservation (O) |
Documentary: Red Gold
|
24 Tu |
|
|
25 We |
Population growth and land use change (O) |
|
26 Th |
|
|
27 Fr |
MID-TERM EXAM #1 (FSH 102) |
|
February |
|
|
Week 5 |
|
|
30 Mo |
Water Quality (S) |
Documentary Blog: Due on Sunday night
|
31 Tu |
|
|
1 We |
Pollution (S) |
|
2 Th |
|
|
3 Fr |
Guest Lecture: Paul Fleming (Seattle Public Utilities) “Planning for Seattle’s water security in a warmer future ” |
|
Week 6 |
|
|
6 Mo |
Harvest of aquatic species (S) |
Documentary: End of the Line |
7 Tu |
|
|
8 We |
Guest lecture: Dr. Gene Helfman “The incomprehensible majesty of freshwater fishes” |
|
9 Th |
|
|
10 Fr |
Fisheries and aquaculture (S) |
|
Week 7 |
|
|
14 Mo |
Invasive species: Ecological issues (O) |
Documentary Blog: Due on Sunday night
|
15 Tu |
|
|
16 We |
Invasive species: Economic and policy issues (O) |
|
17 Th |
|
|
18 Fr |
Guest lecture: Dr. Mark Scheuerell (NOAA Fisheries) “Conservation of salmon in the Pacific Northwest” |
|
Week 8 |
|
|
20 Mo |
NO CLASS: Presidents Day |
Discussion:
|
21 Tu |
|
|
22 We |
MID-TERM EXAM #2 (FSH 102) |
|
23 Th |
|
|
24 Fr |
Dams: The good, the bad and the ugly (0) |
|
March |
|
|
Week 9 |
|
|
27 Mo |
How green is hydropower? (S) |
Discussion:
|
28 Tu |
|
|
29 We |
Climate change (S) |
|
1 Th |
|
|
2 Fr |
Water scarcity and hunting for more (O) |
|
Week 10 |
|
|
5 Mo |
Water-borne diseases (S) |
Final exam review |
6 Tu |
|
|
7 We |
Guest lecture: Dr. Scott Meschke, UW “Water and Health” |
|
8 Th |
|
|
9 Fr |
Looking to water issues of the future (S) |
|
|
|
|
12 Mo |
FINAL EXAM (8:30-10:20 am, FSH 102) |
|
*** Lectures by Olden (O) and Schindler (S)
Academic Integrity
Plagiarism, cheating, and other misconduct are serious violations of your contract as a student. We expect that you will know and follow the University's policies on cheating and plagiarism. Any suspected cases of academic misconduct will be handled according to University regulations. More information can be found at: http://depts.washington.edu/grading/issue1/honesty.htm. Be advised, the instructors of this course have the right and responsibility to notify University Conduct committees about ANY suspected student misconduct. Exam cheating might come immediately to your mind when you hear this, but by FAR the most prominent form of cheating at UW is plagiarism.
It is YOUR responsibility to inform yourself of what plagiarism means. Students will receive NO credit for an assignment which contains plagiarized portions.
Typical plagiarism “oversights” are:
- Copying an assignment from a friend with whom you study, OR working so closely with this friend that both your assignments LOOK copied (same words and ideas in the same order).
- Copying whole sentences from a web site without restating in student’s words or without quotation/citation.
- Paraphrasing ideas of another author without attempting to write an "original" sentence.
Late and Re-Grade Policy
Discussion Section Assignments
You must have your documentary blogs posted by 11:00pm Sunday night on the week of the film discussion. You will receive no points for that week after that time. For the short essays and footprint papers, you must turn in the assignment at the beginning of your discussion section to your TA or the assignment will be deemed late. You will be docked at a rate of 20% per day after the assignment due date.
Exams
We will only schedule a make-up exam if absolutely necessary. As soon as you foresee a conflict, please talk with us and provide a compelling, documented reason. If you miss an exam without contacting the instructors ahead of time, the instructor’s will decide if you can re-schedule the exam.
Re-grades
If you feel that an exam or assignment has been graded unfairly or that a mistake has been made, you may submit a re-grade request WITHIN ONE WEEK of being handed back the assignment or exam. Requests must be submitted in writing and must be handed in at lecture. Requests should be stapled to the original assignment. E-mails and conversations cannot substitute for a written request.
Email and Computer Use
All students are expected to have an email address and you will receive email relevant to this course on a regular basis. We will have an electronic discussion group (blog) that will facilitate the discussion of the documentaries.
Disability Accommodations
To request academic accommodations due to a disability, please contact Disabled Student Services, 448 Schmitz, (206)543-8924 (V/TTY). If you have a letter from Disabled Student Services indicating that you have a disability which requires academic accommodations, please present the letter to the instructor so we can discuss the accommodations needed for this class.