Mass Media & Environment Course

EST 645, Mass Media and Environmental Affairs
Prof. Mark Meisner, e-mail: mmeisner@esf.edu
Sec. 1 (#12946)
Mondays 12:45-3:45 PM
105 Marshall

This course is an exploration of the role of the mass media, especially the news media, in environmental affairs. It introduces both a critical sociological perspective on the media and research on media and the environment. It does this by considering the relationships between the media industry, media messages, and the audiences for media texts. Specifically, the course includes material on the history of media coverage of environmental issues, environmental interest group politics and the media, the media’s construction of nature and environmental problems, and the impact of environmental media coverage on audiences and policy-makers.

New Fall Research Seminar

EST 796, Section 01
Adv Topics/ Environmental Studies

Asian Environmental Policy

David A. Sonnenfeld*
Department of Environmental Studies

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Fall 2009, W 4:00-4:55 pm

This is a one credit-hour research seminar (workshop) for graduate students in Environmental Studies, Environmental Policy and related fields with active research interests in Asian environmental policy. The seminar will be conducted as a reading, writing, and discussion group, with contents contingent on the interests of the participants. Graduate students at every stage of research related to Asian environmental policy are welcome. The seminar will be limited to a maximum of 15 participants from ESF and Syracuse University. Instructor's permission required for registration (see below).

My research has been on social influences on technological environmental transformation/ the development of environmental regulatory regimes in industrializing Southeast Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore), with focuses on the pulp and paper and electronics industries, and a little bit on the food and agriculture sector. I am broadly interested, as well, in the comparative politics of state formation ('rule of law') and democratization in the region and neighboring countries. My geographic sphere of interest ranges from the Indian subcontinent, through Southeast Asia, to China and Japan. For more about me, see my website, which can be accessed through the URL below.

To be considered for enrollment in this course, please send me an e‑mail with your name, graduate program and institutional affiliation, statement of your academic and research interests, and what you would like to work on in this seminar. Students whose materials have been received by Thursday, April 2, will receive first consideration. I look forward to hearing from you!

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* e-mail: dsonn@esf.edu
URL: http://www.esf.edu/es/faculty/sonnenfeld.htm
tel. 315.470.6636

EST 609, Collaborative Governance Processes

A syllabus now is available for EST 609, Collaborative Governance Processes for Environmental and Natural Resource Management, to be taught this spring by William J. Donlon Visiting Professor, Dr. Kirk Emerson, recent Director of the Morris K. Udall Center for Environmental Conflict Resolution. The syllabus may be found online at: http://www.esf.edu/es/documents/EST_609_Syllabus.pdf. The course will be offered in an innovative, intensive weekend format on Feb. 6-8, 13-15, and March 27-29. If you have any questions about the course, please contact Professor Emerson at <kemerson@esf.edu>. Also, please save the date and stay tuned for more information about Professor Emerson's upcoming public lecture, scheduled from 4-5 pm, Thursday, February 12.

Adirondack Science and Policy

A new graduate research seminar, EFB 796 Sec 09 - Adirondack Science and Policy, is being offered spring semester, meeting principally on two 3-day weekends in the Adirondacks. The course will explore the policy development that has occurred in the Adirondack Park since the inception of the Adirondack Park Agency. In particular, we will attempt to understand the central issues that have driven the evolution of this policy and try to discern the degree to which the policy is based on solid science. The course will include students from the University of Vermont who are taking a similar course. For further information, contact Professor William F. Porter, Director, Adirondack Ecological Center, SUNY-ESF, e-mail: wfporter@esf.edu, tel. (315) 470-6798, (518) 582-4551.

EST 797, Env Studies Research Seminar

Professor Richard Smardon is offering EST 797, Environmental Studies Research Seminar, spring semester. This is a 1-credit hour graduate seminar to assist students in developing research/ synthesis project/ internship proposals. It is required for ES MS students, and highly recommended for ES MPS students. Following is the course description. For further information, contact Professor Smardon at <rsmardon@esf.edu>.

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EST 797 Environmental Studies Research Seminar (#41530) Spring 2009. Instructor: Professor Richard Smardon, Ph.D. Meeting time: Mondays 11:40 - 12:35. By the end of the course, students will:

1. Develop research questions and subsequent research design utilizing appropriate theory & methodology;
2. Become familiar with both quantitative and qualitative research methods that can be utilized within Environmental Studies research; and
3. Be able to critique and “unpack” an environmental studies research design and results.

The course will begin with each student developing a series of research questions and then focusing on one research question set. This will be followed by hypotheses development, research theory and methodology, and anticipated outcomes. Each student will produce a full research proposal in stages, with peer review plus a pertinent literature review. Reviews of other submitted research proposals will be included as well as class presentations. A series of work products will culminate in the final research proposal.