Syllabus/Notes
This syllabus is subject to change, so if you miss a class you should always check with a classmate for the most current information. You should read each day's readings before coming to class, except where noted.

Date

Topic

Readings

Part One: The Rhetoric of Biodiversity

9/2	Introducing Biodiversity introduction to one another and to our disciplinary perspectives introduction to our subject: "biodiversity" means different things to different people, who use the term for different reasons to achieve different ends introduction to our course: texts, objectives, grades, requirements, papers, syllabus, office hours how to read and write for this course	In Class "Biodiversity" video clip Handouts R.W. Newbury's experiment in student observations of stream dynamics Cowie, "Does the Public Care About Species Loss?" Chart showing increase in use of "biodiversity" in peer-reviewed journal articles Limerick, "Dancing with Professors" Tannen, "Agonism in the Academy"
9/9	Constructing Biodiversity introduction to rhetoric: representation as construction, the importance of ways of seeing history of the concept of biodiversity conceptual issues the concepts of "diversity," "species," and "ecosystems" normative concepts in conservation DUE: Intellectual Autobiography	In Packet Tangley, "Biological Diversity Goes Public" Gaston, "What is Biodiversity?" Hannigan, "Biodiversity Loss" Harmon, "On the Meaning and Moral Imperative of Diversity" From MnCat S.T.A. Pickett and M.L. Cadenasso, "The Ecosystem as Multidimensional Concept: Meaning, Model, and Metaphor", Ecosystems 5 (2002): 1-10. J. Baird Callicott, Larry B. Crowder, and Karen Mumford, "Current Normative Concepts in Conservation", Conservation Biology 13 (1999): 22-35.
9/16	Investigating Biodiversity Conservation Biology and activism field trip to Cedar Creek Natural History Area Note: Dale Jamieson lecture, "Science, Ethics, and the Animal Protection Movement," 12:15 pm, 9/22, Mississippi Room, Coffman Memorial Union	In Packet Kaiser, "Ecologists on a Mission to Save the World" Brown, "A New Breed of Scientist-Activist Emerges" Galusky, "The Promise of Conservation Biology" Soulé, "What is Conservation Biology?" Dobson and Rodriguez, "Conservation Biology, Discipline of" Patrick, "Biological Diversity in Ecology" Tilman, "Causes, Consequences, and Ethics of Biodiversity" Kaiser, "Rift Over Biodiversity Divides Ecologists" Guterman, "Have Ecologists Oversold Biodiversity?"
9/23	Defending Biodiversity the "facts" about biodiversity anti-environmental rhetoric E. O. Wilson	Books Farber, Finding Order in Nature, chapter 9 and epilogue Wilson, The Future of Life In Packet Lomborg, "Biodiversity" Handout Lovejoy, "Biodiversity" On the Web Wilson, Edward O. "Vanishing Point: On Bjorn Lomborg and Extinction." Grist Magazine. 12 Dec 2001. Myers, Norman. "Specious: On Bjorn Lomborg and Species Diversity." Grist Magazine. 12 Dec 2001.
9/30	Valuing Biodiversity varieties of environmental value Endangered Species Act narrative ethics DUE: Web Site Review	In Packet Proctor, "Solid Rock and Shifting Sands" Rolston, "Biodiversity" Kellert, "Endangered Species" Norton, "Biological Diversity" Swimme and Berry, "Prologue: The Story"

Part Two: The History of Biodiversity

10/7	Collecting, Classifying, and Interpreting Biodiversity from Linnaeus to Darwin Darwin, Voyage of the Beagle	Books Farber, Finding Order in Nature, introduction and chapters 1-4 Appleman, Darwin, selections TBA In Packet Fleischner, "Revitalizing Natural History"
10/14	Understanding Biodiversity I Darwin, Origin of Species and Descent of Man	Books Farber, Finding Order in Nature, chapters 5-6 Appleman, Darwin, selections TBA
10/21	Representing Biodiversity I Romanticism and science	Books Thoreau, "Wild Apples" and Other Natural History Essays, selections TBA
10/28	Conserving Biodiversity I Progressive Conservation Conservation Strategy I: natural history museums, zoos, botanical gardens, and aquariums Activity Option: field trip to Como Zoo and Conservatory film screening of "Gorillas in the Mist" DUE: Journal Review	Books Farber, Finding Order in Nature, chapter 7
11/4	Understanding Biodiversity II the Modern Synthesis species diversity, ecosystem diversity, and wildlife DUE: Final Project Proposal	Books Farber, Finding Order in Nature, chapter 8 Leopold, A Sand County Almanac and Sketches Here and There
11/11	Representing Biodiversity II biodiversity and human health genetic diversity and agriculture Note: David Ehrenfeld lecture on biodiversity hotspots and globalization, 12:15 pm, 11/17, St. Paul campus, location TBA	Books Carson, Silent Spring
11/18	Conserving Biodiversity II Modern Environmentalism Conservation Strategy II: reserves and protected areas Wilderness Act (1964) The Wildlands Project The Nature Conservancy Activity Option: visit from Nature Conservancy staff film screening DUE: Book Review	In Packet Foreman, "Wilderness: From Scenery to Nature" Grumbine, "Using Biodiversity as a Justification for Nature Protection in the U.S." Cooper, "Environmental Rhetoric in the Age of Hegemonic Politics" Luke, "The Nature Conservancy or the Nature Cemetery" On the Web Washington Post series on The Nature Conservancy

Part Three: Current Issues in Biodiversity Conservation

11/25	Sustaining Biodiversity sustainability and cultural diversity political ecology	In Packet Nabhan, Cultures of Habitat, selections TBA Brush, "Protectors, Prospectors, and Pirates of Biological Resources" LaDuke, "Under the Wild Rice Moon"
12/2	Restoring Biodiversity native and exotic species globalization and bioregionalism urban landscapes ecological restoration	In Packet Quammen, "Planet of Weeds" Soulé, "Challenges to Biological Diversity in Urban Areas" Jordan, "Sunflower Forest" Hull and Robertson, "The Language of Nature Matters"
12/9	Imagining Biodiversity	Books Kingsolver, Prodigal Summer In Packet Soulé, "Mind in the Biosphere; Mind of the Biosphere"
12/16	Final Project Due	Have a Good Winter Break!