Biology 677 -- Science and Public Policy -- Spring 2006
Dr. Stephen Threlkeld, Professor of Biology; 318 Shoemaker; (662) 915-5803; stt@olemiss.edu; Office hours: W 2-4 pm, Th 8-9 am, 2-4 pm, or by appointment.
Catalog Description of Course Objectives
Examination of interaction between development of science and implementation of scientific findings in public policy.
Jan 25: W. T. Edmondson, The Uses of Ecology. Chapter 1.
Feb 1: Charles Fox, Talking Points on TMDLs.from NAS symposium on coastal eutrophication.
R. Bierbaum. 2002. The role of science in Federal Policy Development on a regional to global scale: A personal commentary. Estuaries 25(4B):878-885.
Feb 8: Kurlansky, M. 1997. Cod. A biography of the fish that changed the world. Penguin.
Feb 15: Ruckelhaus, M., P. Levin, J. B. Johnson, and P. Kareiva. 2002. The Pacific Salmon Wars: What Science Brings to the Challenge of Recovering Species. Annual REview of Ecology and Systematics 33:665-706.
DAVID R. SMITH, PENELOPE S. POOLER, BENJIE L. SWAN, STEWART F. MICHELS, WILLIAM R. HALL, PETER J. HIMCHAK, AND MICHAEL J. MILLARD 2002. Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus) Spawning in Delaware Bay: Implications for Monitoring. Estuaries 25(1):115-125.
Feb 22: Diamond, J. Collapse.
Mar 3: Diamond, J. Collapse. (continued)
Mar 10: Mooney, Chris. 2005. The Republican War on Science.
Mar 15: Class will not meet on Mar 15 because of Spring Break
Mar 22:Land management of public versus private lands.
Mar 29: continued.
Apr 5: GMOs versus pesticides: assessment of relative risks.
Apr 12: continued.
Apr 19: Greenhouse gases, international protocols, and climate change.
Apr 26: continued.
May 8 (8 a.m.): Final examination
Course Grading
Take home writing assignments (30%), take home midterm exam (30%), and a final examination (40%)