GCU 221, GEOGRAPHY OF ARIZONA

SSH 111 – SUSTAINABLE CITIES
GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
FALL 2014 SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR: Steven Emrick
PHONE NO.: 623.845.3697
OFFICE: 05-104
CLASSROOM: HU 112
E-MAIL: [email protected]
CLASS HOURS: T R 10:00 A – 11:15 A
(sec. 18422)
OFFICE HOURS: M W F 1:00 P - 2:00 P
R 12:00 P – 1:00 P
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class is intended as an introduction to the general concepts of
sustainability and their application to urban environments. At its most basic level, sustainability is
based on the concept of humans interacting with the environment in a way that will not diminish
over time the environment’s ability to provide for human needs in the future. Included in
sustainability is the need for humans to protect naturally operating ecosystems for the benefit of
all non-human living creatures as well. With the world becoming increasingly urbanized, the role
that city dwellers can play in reducing human impact on the atmosphere, oceans, and terrestrial
ecosystems will be examined.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Your grade in this class will depend upon your performance on
exams and on assigned readings. There will be four exams and an as yet unknown number of
assigned readings during the semester. The reading assignments will be given on CANVAS so
make sure that you are checking the announcements section of CANVAS daily! I will also give
announcements in class concerning upcoming reading assignments. These reading assignments
require you to answer a series of questions on the readings. These assignments are due at the
beginning of class at 10:0 am and will not be accepted any later. I drop the two lowest reading
assignment scores at the end of the semester so if you miss a class or are late to a class you are
given two free passes. Extra credit will be given to those students turning in all reading
assignments on time over the course of the semester!!! Your reading assignments must be turned
in hand-written as I will not accept printed assignments!!! All reading assignments must be in your
own words or they will not be graded!
ND
COURSE MATERIALS: The Sustainable Urban Development Reader, 2
Stephen M. Wheeler and Timothy Beatley, eds., Routledge, 2009
GRADING:
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Exam 4
Exam 5
Exam 6
Reading Assignments
Total 800 points
Points
100 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
200 points
Total Points
90%
80%
70%
60%
Edition,
Letter Grade
A
B
C
D
COURSE ATTENDANCE: It is your responsibility to attend all classes. Exams taken in a class
from which you are absent cannot be made up without penalty unless you give me prior notice.
If given prior notification a make-up exam will be arranged at the testing center – which is located
in TDS 118. Make-up exams must be taken within one week of the scheduled exam. Missing an
exam without prior notification results in the same process as above except with a 10% reduction
in your exam score. You can make up only ONE missed exam!!! Your attention is directed to the
attendance policies in the student handbook/catalog. Missing more than two lectures may be
grounds for dismissal from the course. If you have a good reason for being absent, notify your
instructor prior to the class meeting so that your absence will be excused. Lectures will begin on
time. Be in the classroom at the scheduled time so that your arrival will not disrupt the rest of the
class. If you wish to be withdrawn from class for whatever reason, you must start withdrawal
proceedings. DO NOT just stop attending class and expect your instructor to withdraw you.
*perfect attendance is worth 25 extra credit points
WITHDRAWAL POLICY:
Week1 through Week 8 – a grade of W will be given to students who wish to withdraw from the
class.
Week 9 through Week 14 – a grade of W will be given to students who wish to withdraw from the
class ONLY if they are passing the class (cumulative score of 70% or better) at the time they
initiate withdrawal. A grade of Y will be given to those students who wish to withdraw from the
class who DO NOT have a passing grade (cumulative score of 70% or better) at the time they
initiate withdrawal.
Week 15 through Week 16 – grades of W and Y are no longer available.
SCHEDULE CHANGES: Course content may vary from this outline to meet the needs of this
particular class. Students will be notified in class by the instructor when adjustments to this
syllabus are required.
DISABLED STUDENT RESOURCES: Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate
disabled students. Students who require special assistance and/or accommodations should
consult the instructor. Disability Services and Resources (845-3080), located in the TDS Building,
can be of assistance.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES: Students enrolled in this course are responsible for
understanding both the information contained in this syllabus but also the college policies
included in the college catalog and the student handbook.
USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN CLASS: Taping of classroom lectures is not allowed as it
violates the academic freedom of fellow students. As stated in the student handbook, exceptions
can be made for “students with disabilities that render them unable to take adequate lecture
notes”. Cell phone use, including texting, is strictly forbidden in class. Cell phones must be turned
off and stowed away where they will not be a distraction. Cell phones may be kept on vibrate to
alert students in the case of an emergency. Violations of this policy may be cause for disciplinary
action. Personal music players must be turned off before entering the classroom.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR CLASSROOM LECTURES/ACTIVITIES
UNIT 1
Lecture: Ecological Footprint
Lecture: Urban Sprawl
EXAM 1
UNIT 2
Lectures: Global Atmosphere
Lectures: Global Climate Change
EXAM 2
UNIT 3
Lectures: Urban Heat Island Effect
EXAM 3
UNIT 4
Lectures: Transit Oriented Development
Video: Bogota Colombia’s Transmilenio
Video: Velov
Field Trip: World’s Worst Field Trip
EXAM 4
UNIT 5
Lectures: Solar Energy
Lectures: Wind Energy
EXAM 5
UNIT 6
Lectures: Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency/LEED
Lectures: Water Harvesting
Lectures: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Lectures: Composting and Community Agriculture
Video: Vermisoks
EXAM 6
COURSE COMPETENCIES:
1.
Identify current and future issues in sustainability for urban locations (I, II)
2.
Describe the urban ecological footprint and explain its relevance to sustainability( I,
III)
3.
Explain linkages between local and global cities relating to sustainability (I, IV)
4.
Identify the causes, effects, and mitigation of the urban heat island (V)
5.
Outline the basis of urban issues including water, waste, pollution, food, and health
(V)
6.
Define what constitutes sustainable urban development (VI)
7.
Identify urban transportation issues relating to sustainability and describe alternative
solutions (VII)
8.
Discuss sustainable business practices and products (VIII)

Download Report