Spring 2001

Prof. Norm Vig

PURPOSE

This course focuses on the development of the environmental movement and of federal environmental law and policies since the 1960s. It is designed both as an intermediate-level public policy course in political science and as an SVP-track course in the ENTS concentration. It emphasizes the governmental institutions, processes, and regulatory policies for controlling pollution (in air, water, and soil), public lands policies, and natural resource issues. Students are expected to become familiar with the major environmental statutes and are required to write a 10-12 pp. policy analysis paper on implementation and/or reform of one specific piece of legislation (due May 23). There will also be a mid-term exam and final exam (the latter can be self-scheduled).

REQUIREMENTS

The course will be lecture/discussion format, with class participation expected. Grading will be weighted as follows:

Mid-term	30%
Paper	30%
Final	30%
Class participation	10%

TEXTS AND READINGS

The following are required texts (available in bookstore or on closed reserve):

Bullard, Dumping in Dixie, 3d ed.

Mangun and Henning, Managing the Environmental Crisis, 2nd ed.

Rosenbaum, Environmental Politics and Policy, 4th ed.

Vig & Kraft, Environmental Policy, 4th ed.

These books are on open reserve in the library:

Andrews, Richard N.L., Managing the Environment, Managing Ourselves

Botkin & Keller, Environmental Science

Hays, Samuel P., A History of Environmental Politics Since 1945

Schoenbaum & Rosenberg, Environmental Policy Law, 3d ed.

Selected Environmental Law Statutes, 1997-98

READING ASSIGNMENTS FOR CLASS

I. Introduction and Overview

M Mar 26 Introduction to course

W Mar 28 Studying environmental policy - Rosenbaum, chap. 1

F Mar 30 Development of environmental Policy - Vig & Kraft [VK], chap. 1

M Apr 2 Environmental politics and policymaking - Rosenbaum, chaps. 2-3

W Apr 4 Federalism and the role of the states - VK, chap. 2

F Apr 6 The environmental movement and public values - VK, chaps. 3-4

II. Political Institutions and Environmental Policymaking

M Apr 9 The environment and the presidency - VK, chap. 5

W Apr 11 The Bush Administration- handouts

F Apr 13 Environment and Congress - VK, chap. 6

M Apr 16 The role of the courts - VK, chap. 8

W Apr 18 Research paper instruction (Karen Fischer) - In Library computer lab

III. Public Lands and Natural Resources

F Apr 20 Development of public land policies - Rosenbaum, chap. 9

M Apr 23 Renewable resource management - Mangun & Henning, chap. 5; VK, chap. 14

W Apr 25 Non-renewable resource management - Mangun & Henning, chap. 6

F Apr 27 Recreation and wilderness policy - Mangun & Henning, chap. 7

M Apr 30 Mid-term break

W May 2 Mid-term exam - all of above

IV. Regulating Pollution

F May 4 The Clean Air Act - Rosenbaum, pp. 178-203

M May 7 The Clean Water Act - Rosenbaum, pp. 203-220

W May 9 Toxic substances and hazardous waste - Rosenbaum, chap. 7

F May 11 Reforming EPA - VK, chap. 8

V. Dilemmas of Regulation

M May 14 The problem of risk assessment - VK, chap. 9; and Rosenbaum, chap. 4

W May 16 Economics and regulation - Rosenbaum, ch. 5; VK, chap. 8

F May 18 The role of business - VK, chap. 12

VI. Environmental Justice

M May 21 Toxic waste and racial justice - Bullard, chaps. 1-4

W May 23 The environmental justice movement - Bullard, chaps. 5-7

F May 25 Analysis of environmental justice claims - VK, chap. 11

VII. The Agenda for the Future

M May 28 Energy and climate change - Rosenbaum, chaps. 8 and 10

W May 30 Regulatory reform or retreat? - VK, chap. 17

Final Exam