SEMESTER AT SEA COURSE SYLLABUS University of Virginia, Academic Sponsor

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1 SEMESTER AT SEA COURSE SYLLABUS University of Virginia, Academic Sponsor Voyage: Spring 2015 Discipline: International Relations PLIR : Conservation and Sustainability of Marine Resources Division: Upper Faculty Name: Howard R. Ernst, Professor of Political Science (U.S. Naval Academy) Credit Hours: 3; Contact Hours: 38 Pre-requisites: none COURSE DESCRIPTION Taught from a political science perspective, this course addresses the social, economic, and political factors that impact the management of marine environments at the local, national, and international levels. The course explores how political actors, interest groups, and the scientific community interact in the political process. The course explores existing environmental laws and agreements, as well as the processes that lead to binding environmental rules. The major areas of marine resource conservation that are covered include: fisheries management, ecosystem-based management, protection of endangered marine species, the international moratorium on commercial whaling, the impact of military sonar on marine mammals, management of agricultural runoff in coastal areas, sewage management practices, the problem of plastic waste in the Pacific Ocean, ocean acidification, coral reef management, climate change, and others. Readings and discussions apply the larger themes and substantive focus of the course to specific cases of relevance to the voyage. Students are taught to identify the considerable roadblocks to enacting meaningful marine policy and are challenged to identify examples of successful marine resource management. COURSE OBJECTIVES 1) Understand how differing worldviews influence opinions regarding marine resource conservation and marine resource management. 2) Understand the major economic forces that influence marine resource exploitation and global water quality. 3) Understand the local, regional, and international management tools that are available for promoting the conservation and sustainability of marine resources. 4) Apply lessons regarding marine resource conservation and management to the regions of the world visited during the Spring 2015 Voyage. 5) Understand the green features and sustainability practices implanted by the MV Explorer. REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS AUTHOR: Callum Roberts TITLE: The Ocean of Life: The Fate of Man and the Sea PUBLISHER: Penquin ISBN #: DATE/EDITION: 2012 (paperback edition) 1

2 AUTHOR: Richard Ellis TITLE: The Empty Ocean PUBLISHER: Island Press ISBN #: DATE/EDITION: 2004 (paperback edition) TOPICAL OUTLINE OF COURSE Depart Ensenada- January 7: PART ONE: COMPETING PERSPECTIVES ONMARINE RESOURCES B1- January 10: Topic: Syllabus Review and Class Discussion Regarding the Value of Marine Resources and Marine Environments? 1) The Empty Ocean (preface-ch. 1, pp. 1-8) 2) The Ocean of Life (prologue, 1-8) B2-January 12: Topic: Understanding the Ideas behind the Conflicts: Exploring Competing Worldviews in the Context of Marine Resource Conservation 1) Ernst. Environmental Conflict: A Clash of Values (in packet, pp. 1-4) Hilo: January 14 BA3- January 15: Topic: Clashing Worldviews: The Case of Sea Shepherds v. the Japanese Whalers 1) The Empty Ocean, Hunting the Whales (Ch. 11, ) 2) Mills and Ernst Maritime Eco-Extremism Reconsidered: Understanding Fourth Generation Eco-Warriors in the Modern Media Age (in packet, pp ) B4-January 17: Topic: Extreme Environmental Worldviews: Understanding the Growth and Transformation of the Radical Environmental Thought Reading Assignment (read prior to class): 1) Tom Regan, The Radical Egalitarian Case for Animal Rights (in packet, pp ) 2) Despande and Ernst, The Case of Operation Backfire (in packet, pp. 2

3 1-43) Study Day: January 20 Field Assignment #1, Marine Environment Worldview Interview and Assessment (written report due January 22): While at sea, students are responsible to conduct a brief marine resource belief assessment (survey) of a faculty member, crew member, or adult learner. The survey instrument, designed in class, will measure the respondent s level of environmental commitment to marine resources and the extent to which they engage in behaviors that promote water quality or that safeguard marine resources. The student researchers will use the information to categorize respondents within the environmental values spectrum discussed in class. PART TWO: MARKET FAILURES AND MARINE RESOURCES UNDER PRESSURE B5-January 21: Topic: Negative Externalities (Part 1): Agricultural Runoff and Eutrophication in Coastal Waterways Reading Assignment (read prior to class): 1) Ernst, Environmental Economics 101 (in packet, pp ) 2) The Ocean of Life, Deadzones and the World s Great Rivers (Ch. 8, pp ) B6- January 23: Topic: Field Assignment #1, Marine Environment Worldview Interview and Assessment Due. Student reports on the Field Assignment. Students will report the results of their Marine Environment World View Assessments. A7-January 25: Topic: Negative Externalities (Part 2): The Marine Impact of Japan s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster 1) BBC News (July 5, 2012), Fukushima Report: Key Points in Nuclear Disaster Report (in packet, pp. 1-5) 2) Ernst, Primer on Marine Politics of Japan (in packet, pp. 1-20) Yokohama: January In-Transit: January 28 Kobe: January A8- February 2: Topic: Introduction to the Management of Marine Resources of China (The Effort to Save the Pink Dolphins of Hong Kong) 3

4 Shanghai: February 3-4 In-Transit: February 5-6 Hong Kong: 7-8 1) Ernst, Primer on Marine Politics of China (in packet, 1-20) B9- February 10: Topic: Introduction to Environmental Maritime Politics of Vietnam (A Look at Fisheries Management) Ho Chi Minh: February ) Ernst, Primer on Marine Politics of Vietnam (in packet, 1-20) B10- February 18: Topic: Introduction to Environmental Maritime Politics of Burma (The Example of Sea Level Rise) Singapore: February Study Day: February 21 1) Ernst, Primer on Marine Politics of Burma (in packet, 1-20) B11-February 23: Topic: Midterm Exam (covers all readings and discussions to date) Rangoon: February 24-March 1 B12-March 3: Topic: Tour of the Environmental Features and Management Practices of the MV Explorer (Semester at Sea Ship) 1) Ernst, Primer Environment Features of MV Explorer (in packet, pp. 1-10) B13- March 5: Topic: Introduction to Environmental Maritime Politics of India (The Case of Water Sanitation) 1) Ernst, Primer on Marine Politics of India (in packet, pp. 1-20) 4

5 Cochin: March 6-11 B14-March 13: Topic: Negative Externalities (Part 3): The Effect of Military Sonar on Marine Mammals (U.S. Navy v. Beaked Whales) 1) The Ocean of Life, The Not So Silent World (Ch. 11, pp ) 2) The Ocean of Life, Unwholesome Waters (Ch. 9, pp ) Study Day: March 14 B15-March 16: Topic: More Negative Externalities (Part 4): Plastics in the Pacific and Corals in Crisis 1) The Empty Ocean, What is Killing the Corals (Ch. 12, pp ) 2) The Ocean of Life, The Age of Plastic (Ch. 10, pp ) Port Louis: March 18 Field Lab (TBD) B16- March 19: Topic: The Ultimate Externality (Part 5): Climate Change, Ocean Acidification, and Sea-Level Rise (Part 1) Study Day: March 21 1) The Ocean of Life, Rising Tides (Ch. 6, pp ) 2) The Ocean of Life, Corrosive Seas (Ch. 7, pp ) 3) The Ocean of Life, Can We Cool our Warming World (Ch. 18, pp ) B17-March 22: Topic: Introduction to the Maritime Politics of South Africa (The Case of Shark Management and Conservation) 1) Ernst, Primer on Marine Politics of South Africa (in packet, pp. 1-20) Field Assignment 2, Market Failure News Articles (due April 16) In our next two countries (South Africa and Namibia), students are responsible to write news stories that document the two main environmental market failures covered in class (e.g., tragedy of the commons and negative externalities). Students will make direct observations while in port, take photos, and conduct interviews. Upon return to the ship, students will write two short news articles that describe the market failures that they witnessed while in port. Each of the two news stories should contain between 600-5

6 Cape Town: March ,000 words. B19-April 1: Topic: Introduction to Marine Environmental Politics of Namibia 1) Ernst, Primer on Marine Politics of Namibia (in packet, pp. 1-20) Walvis Bay: April 2-6 PART THREE: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT REGIMES FOR MARINE RESOURCES B20-April 8: Topic: Tragedy of the Commons (Part 1) Study Day: April 10 1) The Ocean of Life, Food from the Sea and Fewer Fish in the Sea (Ch. 2-3, pp ) 2) The Empty Ocean, Decline of the Fisheries (Ch. 2, pp ) B21- April 11: Topic: Command and Control Regimes: The Case of the Clean Water Act (U.S.A) The Ocean of Life, Changing Course (Ch , pp ) B22-April 13: Topic: The Voluntary Collaborative Approach to Resource Management: Non-binding International Agreements. 1) The Ocean of Life, Changing Course (Ch , pp ) B23: April 16: Topic: Field Assignment 2, Market Failure News Articles Due. News articles are due at the beginning of class. Late essays will be downgraded one point for every hour they are late). Students will present their articles to the class. Casablanca: April

7 B24: April 23 Topic: The Future of Marine Resource Management 1) The Empty Ocean, Is This the End (pp ) 3) The Ocean of Life, Preparing for the Worst (Ch. 22, pp ) April 24: Global Lens Exams and Study Day B25: April 26: B Day Finals FINAL EXAM April 29: Arrive in Southampton 7

8 FIELD WORK Field lab attendance is mandatory for all students enrolled in this course. Please do not book individual travel plans or a Semester at Sea sponsored trip on the day of your field lab. FIELD LAB (TBD) will take place on March 18 (Mauritius) FIELD ASSIGNMENTS Field Assignment #1, Marine Environment Worldview Interview and Assessment (due January 22): While at sea, students are responsible to conduct a brief marine resource belief assessment (survey) of a faculty member, crew member, or adult learner. The survey instrument, designed in class, will measure the respondent s level of environmental commitment to marine resources and the extent to which they engage in behaviors that promote water quality or that safeguard marine resources. The student researchers will use the information to categorize respondents within the environmental values spectrum discussed in class. Field Assignment #2, Market Failure News Articles (due April 14) Based on their experiences in South Africa and Ghana, students are assigned to write news stories that documents the two main maritime environmental market failures covered in class (e.g., tragedy of the commons and negative externalities). Students will make direct observations while in port, take photos, and conduct interviews. Upon return to the ship, students will write a short news articles that describe the market failure that they witnessed while in port. Individual news articles should cover one port and one of the externalities (combined, the two articles will cover both ports and both examples of market failures). For example, if a student writes about negative externalities in South Africa, their second news article should cover some aspect of tragedy of the commons in Ghana). Each of the two news stories should contain between 600-1,000 words. GRADE DISTRIBUTION (METHODS OF EVALUATION) 20%: Midterm Exam The midterm exam covers all material (class discussions, readings, and assignments) since the beginning of the semester. The midterm will be equally divided between selected response questions, identification questions, and short answer questions. 10%: Field Assignment #1, Marine Environment Worldview Interview and Assessment This field assignment will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 1) The successful completion of interview (including a transcript of questions and answers); 2) The researcher s successful categorization of their respondent within the environmental values spectrum discussed in class and outlined in the readings (including a one page explanation of the categorization); 3) And the researcher s successful presentation of their findings during the student research presentation session. Students who are unable to complete the survey in Hilo (due to a conflict with another Field Lab) may conduct their survey in Mauritius (pre-approval by the instructor is required to pursue this option). 8

9 20% Field Assignment #2, Market Failure News Articles. Each of the two articles will be worth 10 percent of the final grade (20 percent total). Articles will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 1) The extent to which the author s writing is free from grammatical mistakes and typos; 2) The extent to which the author applies at least one corresponding photo to each story; 3) The author s success in completing at least one relevant interview per article; 4) And the extent to which the author clearly identifies a market failure in the article. Late articles will be downgraded one point for every hour they are late. 20% Field Lab, Exploring Water Security in Singapore Participation in the Field Lab is a requirement of the course. Failure to participate in the lab will reduce your overall grade by 20 percent. Upon completion of the Field Lab, students will take a short quiz regarding the material covered during the lab. The field lab grade is derived from quiz grade. 20% Final Exam The Final Exam will cover all readings, class discussions and assignments since the midterm exam (it is not cumulative). The final exam will have the same format as the midterm exam. It will be equally divided between standardized selected response questions, identification questions, and short answer questions. 10% Class Participation (includes participation in field lab) Students will be graded on the quality of their participation. Attending all class sessions is a basic component of class participation. Consequently, each unexcused absence from class will result in a 3 point reduction in the student s overall class grade (10 point maximum reduction). The class participation grade is based on the quality of each student s participation. Quality participation is defined as participation that: 1) respects the opinions of others; 2) reflects mastery of the assigned readings; and 3) advances an overall exchange of ideas. ELECTRONIC COURSE MATERIALS The course packet for this course can be found on the instructor s intranet page and is available from your personal computer or in the computer lab. HONOR CODE Semester at Sea students enroll in an academic program administered by the University of Virginia, and thus bind themselves to the University s honor code. The code prohibits all acts of lying, cheating, and stealing. Please consult the Voyager s Handbook for further explanation of what constitutes an honor offense. Each written assignment for this course must be pledged by the student as follows: On my honor as a student, I pledge that I have neither given nor received aid on this assignment. The pledge must be signed, or, in the case of an electronic file, signed [signed]. 9

10 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF WORKS IN COURSE PACKET BBC News (July 5, 2012), Fukushima Report: Key Points in Nuclear Disaster Report (in packet, pp. 1-5). Deshpande, Nick, and Howard R. Ernst Countering Eco-Terrorism in the United States: The Case of Operation Backfire. Final Report to Human Factors/Behavioral Sciences Division, Science and Technology Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. College Park, MD: START. Online: Ernst, Howard R. Environmental Conflict: A Clash of Values in Fight for the Bay (Rowman & Littlefield), 2010, pp ISBN: Ernst, Howard R. Environmental Economics 101 in Fight for the Bay (Rowman & Littlefield), 2010, pp ISBN: Mills, Brendon J. and Howard R. Ernst. Maritime Eco-Extremism Reconsidered: Understanding Fourth Generation Eco-Warriors in the Modern Media Age. In Maritime Private Security: Market Responses to Piracy, Terrorism, and Waterborne Security Risks in the 21st Century, edited by Patrick Cullen and Claude Berube. (Routledge) 2012, pp ISBN: Regan, Tom, The Radical Egalitarian Case for Animal Rights in Michael Boylan s Environmental Ethics (Prentice Hall), 2001, pp ISBN: