the upper altamaha initiative
spring 2007
JURI 5290, ECOL 8710
The class meets Fridays, 12:45 pm - 3:30 pm in the Seminar Room at the Institute
of Ecology. View a map (large Adobe PDF file, 1.14 MB.)
Syllabus, Rubric, Readings, and Potential Projects
Class readings are available online and in notebooks located at the Institute of Ecology and the Law Library.
Schedule
| Date
|
Topic/Speakers
|
| Jan. 12 |
- Introductions of students and faculty
- Overview of the Practicum and expectations
- Introduction to the Upper Altamaha Initiative for Watershed Excellence
- Distribute potential class projects and first set of memo topics
|
| Jan. 19 |
- Faculty Presentation: The Clean Water Act's TMDL Program and Introduction to Legal Issues Associated with Load Reduction Strategies (Laurie Fowler)
- Review aerial photos of Trail Creek and brainstorm re. pollution sources
- Select group projects
|
| Jan. 26 |
- Problem solving (Alex Scherr)
- Developing an effective work plan (Beth Gavrilles)
- Legal and Scientific Research Skills for Short Memos (Michael Kline and James Malone)
|
| Feb. 2 |
- No class meeting; Institute of Ecology Graduate Student Symposium (everyone invited)
- First Memo outline due (electronic format;
send to all faculty and Beth)
|
| Week of Feb. 5 and Feb. 12 |
Groups meet with Laurie to go over work plans at mutually convenient times and locations (one person from each group will contact Laurie to set up meeting.) |
| Feb. 9 |
- Trail Creek walk
- Work Plan draft due (electronic format, all faculty)
- Abstract draft due (electronic format, all faculty)
|
| Feb. 16 |
- Groups present Work Plans to the class
(Use powerpoint; presentation not to exceed 15 minutes)
- First Memo draft due (electronic format, all faculty)
- Final Work Plan due (electronic format, all faculty and Beth)
- Final Project Abstract due (electronic format, all faculty and Beth)
|
| Feb. 23 |
- Faculty presentation: How Streams Assimilate Waste (Ron Carroll)
- Faculty presentation: Jeff Mullen
|
| Mar. 2 |
- Faculty presentation:
Onsite Systems to Manage Household Wastewater: Function, Perceptions, Regulations and Reality (Larry West)
- Faculty Presentation: Stormwater best management practices to address TMDLs (Alfie Vick)
- Midpoint Journals due (electronic format OR hard copy, to Laurie)
- First Memo final due (electronic format, all faculty and Beth)
|
Monday
Mar. 5 |
Students meet individually with Laurie to review reflections (students are responsible for emailing Laurie to arrange a meeting time) |
Tuesday
Mar. 6 |
Students meet individually with Laurie to review reflections (students are responsible for emailing Laurie to arrange a meeting time) |
| Mar. 9 |
- No class meeting; students may meet in project groups
- Second Memo outline due (electronic format, all faculty)
|
| Mar. 16 |
No class meeting (spring break) |
| Mar. 23 |
- No class meeting; Environmental Law Association's Red Clay Conference (everyone invited)
- Second Memo draft due (electronic format, all faculty)
|
Tuesday
Mar. 27 - Thursday
Mar. 29
|
Georgia Water Resources Conference (everyone invited) |
| Mar. 30 |
Tour of farm Best Management Practices (Mark Risse) |
| Apr. 6 |
- Meet to discuss status of projects and schedule final presentations and dress rehearsals
- Second Memo final due (electronic format, all faculty and Beth)
|
| Apr. 13 |
TBD |
| Apr. 20 |
TBD
Draft Group Product due (electronic format, all faculty) |
| Apr. 27 |
TBD
|
Wed.
May 2 |
Final presentations and products due:
- Final journals due (electronic format OR hard copy, to Laurie)
- Final Work Plan presentation
- Final Group Product due (electronic format AND hard copy, to Beth)
|
Monday
May 14 |
Grades filed |
Please note: The course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations announced to the class by the instructors may be necessary.
Class Format:
- Two or three class meetings in first two weeks of semester to select
projects and develop work-plans;
- Approximately four lectures (Fridays from 9:30 - 12:30 PM) on ecological,
design and policy issues affecting the watershed;
- One paddling trip on the Oconee River;
- Periodic group meetings to develop particular projects;
- Project presentation (either to stakeholders or to the class and other
interested parties at the University) with dress rehearsal;
- A journal logging each student's activities and reflections on the
meaning of the service learning experience and ecological design and
policy implications;
- At least one meeting between faculty and each individual student to
reflect on and evaluate course progress and issues and concerns.
Expectations (students):
Attend class lectures and field trip, read assignments prior to each
lecture, work together to define class projects, attend group meetings
and work cooperatively to develop a work plan and to complete the project,
attend individual meetings with professors, and keep a journal of work
completed and associated reflections. Students will be graded on class
participation and project substance and presentation.
Expectations (faculty):
Coordinate informative lectures and field trip; facilitate interaction
between students and stakeholders in the Upper Altamaha Basin; provide support
to students in identifying and completing particular projects; facilitate
dress rehearsals and project presentations; facilitate publication of
projects and provide a forum for students to reflect on their experiences
in the course.
Student Contact Information:
Class listserv: upperaltamaha-L@listserv.uga.edu
|
