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Syllabus Overview
 
Welcome Message from J.D.
This course focuses on the social justice constraints reflected in the struggle over water resources management in the western
United States. The course uses an environmental equity conceptual
framework to examine cases of institutional control of water,
rural-urban conflicts, and the cultural impacts of water resources
management on disenfranchised groups. Our primary goal in the course is
to think critically about providing water equitably for the future of a
growing region − the West!
Instructor
J.D. Wulfhorst, jd@uidaho.edu
Associate Professor of Rural Sociology
Department of Agricultural Economics & Rural
Sociology
Program in Environmental
Science
Course
Objectives
This course has three interrelated objectives:
- Provide a framework to understand the social concepts of
equity, fairness, and justice in relation to environmental regulation;
- Analyze a series of scenarios to identify patterns of
concern and inequity within water resources management in the arid
western landscape; and
- Identify policy alternatives and cooperative
structures that could redefine how we use scarce resources — such as
water — as equitably and fairly as possible.
Learning Outcomes
 This
course revolves around electronically-based interaction and discussion. We will share experiences, ideas,
and insights through technology. From this course,
- You can explain the difference between equity,
fairness, and justice in applied water resources cases.
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You will understand why some groups or communities feel
disproportionately affected within the social and political decisions
that manage water in the western United States.
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You will also recognize how to identify the tangible behaviors and
intangible meanings and values of water policy contexts that matter to
different groups.
Readings
Readings for the course will include:
- three books (listed below) we use as texts;
- electronic reserve articles via the UI library;
and
- online materials.
Cadillac Desert: The American West and its
Disappearing Water
Revised & Updated; M. Reisner (1993); Penguin Books; ISBN:
0-14-017824-4
Water in the West: a High Country News Reader
C. Miller (ed.), (2000); Oregon State University Press; ISBN:
0-87071-480-5
Empty Nets: Indians, Dams, and the Columbia
River
R. Ulrich (1999); Oregon State University Press; ISBN: 0-87071-469-4
To order the textbooks, go to:
http://www.uidahobookstore.com/
Select Textbooks and then scroll down to enter the menu selections for
this term. Under department select "AGEC - Ag Economics".
Under course select "404" or "504". Under section select
"Wulfhorst". You can order online, and they say shipping is
1-2 days.
Evaluation
Participant evaluation will occur within four
categories outlined below and explained in greater detail on the
Requirements page. Assignments are due on
the designated day & time. Late work will only be accepted under
extenuating circumstances and at the discretion of the instructor.
|
Evaluation Category |
Points
possible |
% of Final Grade |
| Discussion |
200 |
40% |
| Essays |
100 |
20% |
| Participation Assignments |
75 |
15% |
| Project |
125 |
25% |
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TOTAL |
500 |
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Final grades will be based on the following scale:
450 – 500 = A
400 – 449 = B
350 – 399 = C
300 – 349 = D
< 300 = F
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