ES 2WW3E 2012 Winter Term Course Outline

Course Outline: ES 2WW3E-Water and the Environment Winter 2012 Term 2

Instructor: Dr. Lisa Sonnenburg Room: General Science Building Rm 305 Tel: 905-525-9140 x 26334 Office Hours: Mondays 5:30-6:30 pm Email: sonnenep@mcmaster.ca TA : Alex Fitzgerald Introduction: The primary aim of this course is to introduce students to environmental issues related to water resources and processes, especially freshwater. The course will present fundamental scientific concepts such as the hydrologic cycle, surface water, groundwater, water quality issues (e.g. eutrophication). We will examine the dependency of human societies on water resources throughout history and various dimensions of water and industry, water and energy, water use conflicts, and water allocation policies. Part of the course will focus on the Laurentian Great Lakes which will serve as a case study where knowledge of the physical and social dimensions of water resources management are required to understand the past and future of the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth. The final part of the course will emphasize water sustainability issues. Course Objectives: By the end of this course, students should be able to: 1) Recognize the historical context of water resource management as it relates to present issues; 2) Demonstrate an understanding of the links between the scientific and social aspects of freshwater resource management; 3) Identify the relationships between water scarcity, usage, environment, economics, cultural and political concerns globally; 4) Understand the concept of sustainability as applied to freshwater resources, and 5) Comprehend how objectives 1-4 affect the Great Lakes. Lectures Lectures are on Mondays from 7-10 pm in MDCL 1305. Check the attached lecture schedule for further details. Students are expected to attend lectures, read the assigned readings and are responsible for gathering and collecting all notes for themselves. Lectures will be posted on Avenue to Learn (A2L) prior to lecture if possible. It is responsibility of the student to ensure that notes are obtained for any classes missed. Quizzes and Tests Quizzes will be online through the A2L system and based on the lectures, readings and video materials. Quizzes are available for a seven-day period and must be completed in 60 minutes. Multiple attempts are allowed, however the FINAL attempt will be marked regardless of the grade. Students are responsible to complete each quiz on time before the given deadlines. The quizzes consist of multiple choice questions. The midterm and final exam will be based on lectures, readings, video and in-class discussion topics. They include multiple choice, true or
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ES 2WW3E 2012 Winter Term Course Outline

false and matching questions. The midterm will be 90 minutes in duration and includes material from Weeks 1-5. It will be held during regular class time. The final exam is cumulative and will be held during the April exam period. Textbook (Required) Jones, J.A.A., 2010. Water Sustainability: A Global Perspective. Hodder Education. ISBN: 978- 1444-10488-2. *This textbook was used last term, so there should be used copies available. Alternatively, you can share a textbook with another classmate to reduce costs. Due to new copyright restrictions, course textbooks are no longer allowed to be placed on reserve in the Library. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Great Lakes: An Environmental Atlas and Resource Book (Online). URL: http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/atlas/index.html. Third Ed. Last update: April 11th, 2011 Additional reading material may be posted, as required, on A2L. Evaluation & Grading Online Quizzes: 8 total (lowest 2 dropped)= 6 @ 5%: 30% Midterm Exam: 30% Final Exam (Cumulative): 40% Academic Dishonesty Academic dishonesty consists of misrepresentation by deception or by other fraudulent means and can result in serious consequences, e.g. the grade of zero on an assignment, loss of credit with a notation on the transcript (notation reads: Grade of F assigned for academic dishonesty), and/or suspension or expulsion from the university. The following illustrates only three forms of academic dishonesty:

Plagiarism, e.g. the submission of work that is not ones own or for which other credit has been obtained. Improper collaboration in group work. Copying or using unauthorized aids in tests and examinations.

It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty. For information on the various kinds of academic dishonesty please refer to the Academic Integrity Policy, located at http://www.mcmaster.ca/policy/Students-AcademicStudies/AcademicIntegrity.pdf The instructor and university reserve the right to modify elements of the course during the term. The university may change the dates and deadlines for any or all courses in extreme circumstances. If either type of modification becomes necessary, reasonable notice and communication with the students will be given with explanation and the opportunity to comment on changes. It is the responsibility of the student to check their McMaster email and course websites weekly during the term and to note any changes.

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ES 2WW3E 2012 Winter Term Course Outline

Avenue to Learn http://avenue.mcmaster.ca Avenue to Learn is an online system which will be used in this class for communicating information relating to the course (e.g. lecture notes, etc.). To log in to Avenue, use your MUGSI login and password. See the Avenue home page above for more instructions if you need them. It is the students responsibility to check Avenue regularly (i.e. AT LEAST once a week) for updates. Students should be aware that, when they access the electronic components of this course, private information such as first and last names, user names for the McMaster e-mail accounts, and program affiliation may become apparent to all other students in the same course. The available information is dependent on the technology used. Continuation in this course will be deemed consent to this disclosure. If you have any questions or concerns about such disclosure please discuss this with the course instructor. If you encounter any technical problems with this service go to the following website for support: http://avenue.mcmaster.ca/help/. Please note that it is not the responsibility of the teaching staff of EARTH SC 2WW3 to assist you with Avenue issues. The Teaching Assistant should only be contacted if you are having trouble accessing Quizzes or Grades. Attendance Students are expected to attend lectures, read the assigned readings and are responsible for gathering and collecting all notes for themselves. Lectures will be posted on Avenue to Learn (A2L) prior to lecture if possible. It is responsibility of the student to ensure that notes are obtained for any classes missed. Office hours are held by the Teaching Assistant and the Instructor to help clarify the content of lectures. It is not the T.A. or instructors responsibility to go over an entire lecture with you, if you missed it. It is your responsibility to acquire the necessary information from classmates. Conduct During Class Please respect your Instructor and fellow classmates by refraining from talking, texting, answering cell phones, listening to loud music, watching videos on your computer, etc. This is distracting to other students who have also paid for the privilege to be in the class. E-mails and Communication Policy Emails should only be sent to the Instructor for the following reasons: 1) You are not registered on Avenue 2) You need to make an appointment outside regularly scheduled office hours 3) Submitting a MSAF and follow up communication 4) You are submitting a grade appeal (see below)

Emails should only be sent to the Teaching Assistant for the following reasons: 1) You are having issues accessing the online quizzes or grades on Avenue 2) You need to make an appointment outside regularly scheduled office hours

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ES 2WW3E 2012 Winter Term Course Outline

As a courtesy, and to ensure your emails are properly answered, your e-mail must include your name and student ID number in the email signature. The subject line must state what the query is about. Emails should be written in a professional manner, spell-checked and proof-read before sending them.

If you ways 1) 2) 3)

have questions regarding course content, you can get answers in one of the following In person at the T.As or Instructors Office Hours or during class Through the Discussion Board on Avenue By submitting a question in the WTF box (see FAQs for more information)

Emails regarding course content or anything posted on Avenue will NOT be answered. This is to ensure that the Instructor and TA have enough time to dedicate to ALL students registered in the class. Classroom and Test/Quiz Absences If you will be missing a class, you do not need to contact the Instructor or TA. It is your responsibility to obtain any notes missed. All of the videos are available online or through the McMaster Library, however, they will not be placed on reserve. You should also keep up with the assigned readings, even if you are unable to attend class. If you miss the Midterm test you must: 1) Fill out and submit a MSAF form to sonnenep@mcmaster.ca 2) You then must contact the Instructor to receive instructions for the make-up assignment. The make-up assignment will include a 15 page essay on your choice of five topics selected by the instructor and must be completed no more than four (4) weeks after contacting the Instructor. 3) If you do not complete the first 2 steps by February 20, 2012, your mark for the test will be ZERO. As only 6 of the 8 quizzes count towards your final grade, and quizzes are a week in duration, no MSAF forms will be accepted for quizzes. McMaster Student Absence Forms (MSAF) http://www.mcmaster.ca/msaf/ Please note: you can only use this form ONCE during a semester and not for final examinations; for subsequent absences you MUST go to your Associate Deans office Mark Appeals and Avenue Grades If you believe there has been an error in the marking of your test, you must follow the following procedure: 1) You must come to the scheduled test viewing times 2) You must submit a formal letter to the instructor within one week of the grade posting stating your name, which test you wrote and which question(s) you believe the error occurs. 3) In the case of an accounting error or discrepancy between the answer key and your test, please document this in your letter (e.g. , I circled answer a on question 23 and it was
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ES 2WW3E 2012 Winter Term Course Outline

marked as wrong even though it is listed as correct on the answer key). Any other reason must have additional justification. Simply wanting a better grade (e.g. ,I studied hard and deserve a better grade) is not sufficient and the grade will stand. Your marks will be recorded on Avenue. It is your responsibility to check that all marks entered are recorded properly. You must notify the Teaching Assistant about any errors with regards to how your marks are entered. You have until 48 hours prior to the final exam to report any Avenue mark issues. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Students with disabilities will receive accommodations to assist them in the completion of their assignments and exams. Please contact Student Accessibility Services (MUSC B-107; sas.mcmaster.ca; sas@mcmaster.ca) and the Instructor as soon as possible if you require assistance. If you already have your forms from SAS, please bring them to the instructor within the first two weeks of class. If you are unable to have your forms ready during this time period, please contact the instructor immediately. Acknowledgement of Course Policies Your registration and continuous participation (e.g. on Avenue, in the classroom, etc.) to the various learning activities of Earth Sc 2WW3 will be considered to be an implicit acknowledgement of the course policies outlined above, or of any other that may be announced during lecture and/or on Avenue. It is your responsibility to read this course outline, to familiarize yourself with the course policies and to act accordingly. Lack of awareness of the course policies cannot be invoked at any point during this course for failure to meet them. It is your responsibility to ask for clarification on any policies that you do not understand. The instructor reserves the right to modify elements of the course and will notify students accordingly (in class and post any changes to the course Avenue). The lecture schedule is only a guideline and may be modified during the course of the class. The instructor and university reserve the right to modify elements of the course during the term. The university may change the dates and deadlines for any or all courses in extreme circumstances. If either type of modification becomes necessary, reasonable notice and communication with the students will be given with explanation and the opportunity to comment on changes. It is the responsibility of the student to check their McMaster email and course websites weekly during the term and to note any changes.

FAQs: Do I have to come to class? Yes. Attendance is not taken, but you will lose marks and do poorly if you do not attend class regularly. I have missed a class due to illness. Can you tell me what I missed? No. It is not the responsibility of the Instructor or TA to go over entire lectures with you.
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ES 2WW3E 2012 Winter Term Course Outline

Im really struggling with the course material. Where can I go to for help? You can come to the office hours of the Instructor or the TAs. You can ask questions before, during and after also class-however, be aware that it may take some time for your question to be answered. You can also use the discussion board on Blackboard to ask your fellow students for help. The WTF box can also help-you can mention which concepts you are struggling with. WTF is a WTF Box? The WTF box (the F is for frack) is a small box that will be placed at the back of the lecture hall during every class. This is a chance for you to submit questions regarding concepts you do not understand in an anonymous way, as some students feel uncomfortable asking questions during class.. You may also make suggestions or general comments on the course. After every class the box will be collected and the questions/comments/suggestions will be covered or implemented during the next class. I did really poorly on the midterm, but I came to class every day and I studied for hours. Is there anything I can do? Any new subject can be difficult at first; sometimes it takes time to understand this new material. Do not expect to do as well on this material as you do on your core or major subjects. You can look at how you studied and if you are actually dedicating enough time to the course. Students often dont review or look at their notes until the day before the test. Reviewing your notes regularly (once a week) may help. Also, make sure you take advantage of all the resources available to you-your Instructor, your TA, your fellow students, and the course text. If you think you may not be doing as well as a result of a medical problem, disability or language barriers, there are several services available: Student Wellness Centre: http://wellness.mcmaster.ca/ Student Accessibility Services: http://sas.mcmaster.ca Student Success Centre (help with writing, language comprehension, student life): http://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/ Remember, everyone needs help sometimes (even Professors!), so dont be afraid to ask! I think the midterm was unfair and too hard. Will you make the final exam easier or bell curve grades? No. The midterm and final exam are designed to ensure that you are able to meet the expected learning outcomes of the course. If you are having trouble understanding the concepts related to the learning outcomes, then you need to speak with the Instructor or TAs about what you are having problems understanding in class. In terms of tests being unfair, tests are not designed to fail students-they are designed to test knowledge. Unless a question is asked that was not covered in class, any material covered in lectures is considered a fair subject for a test question.

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Lecture Schedule

ES 2WW3E 2012 Winter Term Course Outline

Week 1

Date Jan 9

Topics Introduction World Water Resources & the State of the Resource Video: How the Earth Made UsWater Historical Perspectives on Water Use Properties of Water Groundwater, Irrigation and Soils Dams, Reservoirs & Interbasin Water Transfer Video: The Future of Water-The Water Age Water Quality Drinking Water and Human Health Video: Flush it Water and Global Governance Midterm Review Midterm 7:30-9:00 pm No classes-Reading Week Commercialization of Water Video: The Future Of Water: The Water Lords Introduction to the Great Lakes People and the Great Lakes Video: Water Under Fire-The Great Lakes The Great Lakes Todays concerns Management and Future of the Great Lakes Video: The Beloved Community Towards Global Water Sustainability Unconventional Sources Video: Eco-cities, Sustainable Cities for the Future Monitoring and Predicting Water Resources Issues of management and justice Sustainability in the Developing World Final Exam Review

Readings Templehoff et al., 2009 Jones Ch. 1

Notes First day of class Drop/add deadline: Jan 11

Jan 16

Jones Ch. 11, 12 Jones Ch. 6, 7

Jan 23

Quiz 1: Open from 8 am Jan 17 to 8 am Jan 23-Covers lectures, movies and readings from Jan 9, 16 Quiz 2: Open from 8 am Jan 24 to 8 am Jan 30-Covers lectures, video and readings from Jan 23

Jan 30

Jones Ch. 2, 5, 15

Quiz 3: Open from 8 am Jan 31 to 8 am Feb 6-Covers lectures, video and readings from Jan 30 No quiz this week-study for your midterm! Midterm-Location TBA Details will be posted on A2L Enjoy your break!

5 6 7 8

Feb 6 Feb 13 Feb 20 Feb 27

Jones Ch. 3, 4,

Jones Ch. 8,9

Quiz 4: Open from 8 am Feb 28 to 8 am Mar 5-Covers lectures, video and readings from Feb 6, 27 Quiz 5: Open from 8 am Mar 6 to 8 am March 12-Covers lectures, reading and video from Mar 5 Last day to drop without academic penalty: March 9 Quiz 6: Open from 8 am Mar 13 to 8 am Mar 19-Covers lecture, video and reading from Mar 12

March 5

EPA Ch. 1,2 EPA Ch. 3, 5

10

March 12

EPA Ch. 4, 6

11

March 19

Jones Ch. 13, 14, 16, 17 Jones Ch. 18, 19, 20

Quiz 7: Open from 8 am Mar 20 to 8 am Mar 26-Covers lectures, video and readings from Mar 19

12

March 26

Quiz 8: Open from 8 am Mar 27to 8 am Apr 2-Covers Lecture and readings from Mar 26

13

April 2

Jones Ch. 21, 22

Last Class Exams start April 7

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