Welcome to Ecology, Economics, and Ethics, SENV30501, Course #40235. Your professor is Wayne Hayes, Ph.D. My office is G-231, my Ramapo phone is (201) 684-7751, and my email is whayes@ramapo.edu. Welcome!
How can the economy be harnessed to serve world sustainability? What makes this question so ironic is that the growth in the physical scale of the economy under the prevailing regime of economic globalization has depleted resources, destroyed ecosystems, overwhelmed natural waste disposal sinks, waged war on subsistence cultures, and produced shocking maldistribution of wealth and income. How, then, can the economy be turned around to reinforce sustainable development rather than to destroy ecosystems, resource endowments, and indigenous cultures? This alchemy must be resolved to promote sustainability.
The now familiar definition of sustainable development from the Brundtland Commission Report (World Commission on Environment and Development) defines sustainable development as: "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." How adequate is this definition? Can the precept adequately define guidelines for policy prescription and ethical principles? Does it ensure justice? Will democracy be nurtured? What economic strategies can promote sustainability? Has the concept been distorted to serve narrow commercial interests?
Ecology, Economics, and Ethics takes up the challenge of working out a critical, ethical, and strategic analysis upon which to base civic action, public policy, and normative legitimacy. The global economy, a robust engine of change, must generate world sustainability rather than amplify entropy through physical growth or indulge corporate interests. The purpose of Ecology, Economics, and Ethics is to provide sustainers an overview of how economics might appropriately and ethically enhance sustainability.
Two goals guide our course:
The following required text is available in the Ramapo bookstore: Leonard, Amy: The Story of Stuff: How are Obsession with Stuff is Trashing the Planet, Our Communities, and a Vision for Change (New York: Free Press, 2010)
Additional course materials will be distributed in class or made available on the schedule at the appropriate time in the course sequence. The online class schedule displays the timetable of class events and will be updated as needed.
Grading will be based on the following distribution:
Grades will be scaled as follows: A = 93 and above; A- = 90 to 92; B+ = 87 to 89; B = 83 to 86; B- = 80 to 82; C+ = 77 to 79; C = 73 to 76; C- = 70 to 72; D+ = 67 to 69; D = 60 to 66; F < 60.
Attendance, of course, is mandatory. Perfect attendance will be rewarded with a bonus of two points. Missing a single session will be held as neutral. After that, every missed session will lead to a deduction of two points. Missing a significant portion of the class session, such as arriving late or leaving early, will lead to a prorated deduction at the discretion of the professor. Excused absences, counting as half an absence, may be granted for good cause, but may require documentation and should be arranged in advance whenever feasible. Holy days will be respected. Late submission of required written work may be docked points.
The rules of academic integrity as set forth in the Student Handbook will be strictly enforced.
The Course Enrichment Component of Ecology, Economics, and Ethics supports the Ramapo College Mission Statement commitment to experiential learning. The course requires that all students learn how to interpret how economic activity supports or undermines sustainability as reported in the public media. The fulfillment of the experiential learning obligation is explained in a separate memo.
Each student will document this activity through a log that is submitted near the end of the course. The log counts as 10 points toward the final grade. Expect to demonstrate at least five hours of effort, or twenty minutes per week, on this assignment.
The experiential learning assignment contributes a tangible and documented outcome directed toward the course goal, above, that demonstrates how to promote the practice of economics, ecology, and ethics.
I will hold office hours in G-231 on Monday and Thursday from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. and on Wednesday 5:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. and by appointment, depending on my meeting schedule. I am generally available for brief consultation immediately before and after class. My office phone, which is equipped with voice mail, is (201) 684-7751. Since the Ramapo voice mail system inexplicably drops messages, the best way to reach me is through e-mail, whayes@ramapo.edu.
Students with special needs should contact me at their earliest convenience. Individual accommodations for special needs will be cheerfully arranged. If you need course adaptation due to a documented disability, please see me. Welcome aboard!
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