California State University, Chico

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

 

                                                          ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

                                                              HCSV 162-01  Spring 2005

                                                        Section 01 (Butte 229) TR 2:00-3:15

                                                                                                                                               

Professor:  Dr. Diana Flannery                          Office Hours:  M 12:00-2:00

                                                                                                            TR 12:30-2:00

Office:  635 Butte Hall                                      E-Mail:  dflannery@csuchico.edu         

Mailbox: 607 Butte                                                       Office Phone:  898-4993

 

I.  Course Description

            This course will overview the relationship of people and nature; the impact of environmental conditions, such as water and air pollution, solid wastes, food contamination, vectors, radiation, noise, light, which can cause deleterious effects on people’s physical, mental, and social well-being.  Individual and collective consumer intervention in environmental health problems will also be addressed. This course will also include a community service component.  Each student will contribute a minimum of 10 hours of service in the local and campus community. Student engagement is an essential part of this course in order to have an enriching educational experience.

 

II. Texts Required

            Nadakavukaren, A.  (2000, 5th Ed).  Our Global Environment.  Waveland Press:  Prospect Heights, IL.           

           

            HCSV 162 Reading Packet:  Available at Mr. Kopy, 119 Main Street Packet #33

 

III.               Objectives

The student:

A.     will develop an awareness of how current environmental issues directly effect their own lives.

B.     will assess the complexity of our present population-resources pollution crisis.

C.     explain the conflicts that arise between people and the environment and the importance of maintaining an ecological perspective that health and well-being are ultimately dependent upon the health and integrity of the entire ecosystem.

D.     identify the consequences of increased population growth and the effects of these increases on the environment, particularly with respect to environmental degradation, resource utilization, food supply, and loss biodiversity.

E.      describe the effects of legislation and governmental intervention in relation to environmental issues.

F.      explain the relationship between environmental issues and human health.

G.     identify known occupational cancer risks, and the relationship of the factors of gender and age to the risks.

H.     identify roles of air, food, and water as environmental transmitters of pathogenic organisms.

I.        describe the impact of the release of toxic substances into the environment and their impact on human health.

J.       explain the role of individual responsibility in ensuring the safety of the environment.

K.    discuss how business and industry, and the government can work cooperatively to ensure a healthy environment.

L.      identify the major causes of foodborne disease and prevention.

M.   identify problems unique to nuclear power generators.

N.    explain the basic components of the earth’s atmosphere and how pollution of this atmosphere effects the environment.

O.    explain the basic importance and processes involved in water treatment.

P.      describe the problem of solid and hazardous waste disposal, including new methods of dealing with solid and hazardous waste.

Q.    identify ways to facilitate community action.

R.     address the impact of environmental racism.

S.      maintain a pro-active stance.

T.      remain flexible.

 

IV.       Course Outline

Day

Topic

Reading Assignment

1/25-27

Introduction to Environmental Health           

Nad. 1            RP 1-9

2/1-3

Environmental Education                                                          

                       RP. 10-12

2/8-10

 

Impact of Population on Human Resources

Nad. 2-5          RP 13-16

2/15-17,

22

Environmental Disease                         

Nad. 6            RP 17-22

2/24

2/25

Test 1

Neal Dow Road Cleanup      

 

3/1-3/3

 

Solid and Hazardous Waste

Nad. 16           RP 23-24

3/8-10

Toxic Substances                                             

Nad. 7            RP. 25-35 Clean up paper due

3/15-17

Spring Break

 

3/22-24

Pests and Pesticides                 

 

Nad. 8            RP. 36-42

Used Clothing Drive Due

3/29- 4/5

Food Quality                           

 

Nad. 9            RP. 43-54

Art Project Due

4/7

Radiation                                                         

Nad. 10           RP.60-61

 

4/12

Test 2 

 

4/14

 

Environmental Racism                                                              

RP. 55-59

 

4/19-21

The Atmosphere & Air Pollution

 

Nad. 11,12      RP. 62-66

4/26-28

Water Resources & Pollution                           

Nad. 14, 15     RP. 67-69

 

5/3

Why Share?

Review                       

RP.70

Bring item or service to share

5/5

Test 3

 

5/10-12

To be announced

 

5/19

Diversion Excursion 12-2

 

 


V.  Student Responsibilities:

A.     Attendance

Attend each class prepared and ready to discuss read EACH article and chapter, contribute to class discussions, and participate in planned activities. Attendance will be recorded. For each absence over 3, your final grade will be reduced 1/3 letter grade. 

 

B.     Community Clean-Up (20 points).

Attend and participate in a community clean-up for a minimum of 3 hours. Describe your experience in a one-page summary.  What were your thoughts before attending?  What did you find?  What were the attitudes of those participating? Would you do this type of activity again? Choose from the following events:

  1. Neal Dow Road Cleanup and landfill tour (meet at Holt Hall 8:50am – return noon.

2.   Littered Landscapes Cleanup:  To be announced

 

C.     Migrant Farmworker Appreciation Art Project (30 points)

Create an art piece to be displayed at the Hmong Celebration on April 2 and Eco-fest April 23.    The focus must be on celebration our Hmong and Mexican farmworkers and the bounty of food they provide to the state and nation.  Nutrition and environment will be the theme.  Grading will be based on creativity, impact, effort, message, and ethnic theme.

           

D.  Notecard Assignment (70pts):  One notecard (5 x 8) or larger for each article in the reading packet (RP) is due on each Tuesday (or otherwise stated) listed on the syllabus. No late cards will be accepted.  As an incentive, you may use your notecards during the exams.  Only one notecard per article is required, however you may want to write more to prepare for exams (total cards=71). 

·        The front of the notecard should include:  your name, title of the article, author, questions and answers to discussion questions provided and any other important facts you want to remember.

·        Each week, on the back of the final notecard include thoughts or reactions for the selection of reading.

 

E.  Environmental Awareness Activity (10 points each = total 20 points)

Attend two environmental public events in the Chico, University, or neighboring community.  All events must be approved by me.  Submit a one page summary (typed) for each event.  Provide the time, location, and describe the environmental issue/event and your role in it.  Recount any thoughts before, during, and after the event.  Relate new insights, perceptions, and experiences.

 

F.   Used Clothing Drive (10 points)

Collect 20 new or gently used clothing items for men, women, or children. Organize by size.

Blankets and winter items are needed.

G.   Diversion Excursion (20 points) A recycling program that reuses miscellaneous items from resident halls on move-out days and give them to the Jesus Center, ARC, Migrant Education, and the Esplanade House. We will work during our final exam time or you may schedule a different time on Thursday May 19 or Friday May 20.  Please email me a one paragraph reflection based on your experience by Friday May 20 at 5pm.  Thank you!

H.  Participate in 3 in-class exams. 

 

VII.            Evaluation:

Cleanup                                   

 20

Migrant Farmworker Art         

 30

Notecards

 70

Environmental Event Summaries

 20

Used Clothing Drive

 10

Diversion Excursion

 20

Test 1

 50

Test 2 

100

Test 3  

 50

Total

370

 

A = (94-100)

C+= (78-79)

A-= (90-93)

C = (74-77)

B+= (88-89)

C-= (70-73)

B = (84-87)

D+= (67-69)

B- = (80-83)

D = (64-66)

 

F = (63 or less)

 

Campus Blood Drive Tuesday, Feb 15 Whitney Rec Center – 5 bonus points


Human Scavenger Hunt

The object is to get to know people and have some fun.  You must find a person who fits the statement and have them sign their name in the blank.  Use each person’s name only once, including your own.

Subscribes to an environmental newsletter or magazine.

 

 

 

Recycles plastic, glass, aluminum, batteries, and papers.

Has participated in a community cleanup.

Knows who Julia Butterfly and Ralph Nader are.

Has written a letter in support of an environ-mental cause.

 

Composts.

 

 

 

Is a vegetarian.

Reuses paper and plastic bags.

Does not own a car.

 

Does not own a TV.

Turns off water while shaving legs or face.

 

 

 

Use eco-friendly cosmetics, lotion, and shampoo.

Shops at a local framers market regularly.

Has been to S&S Produce and Chico Natural Foods.

Rides a bike at least 2 miles to work or school.

Turns off the water while brushes teeth.

 

 

Hates litterbugs and picks up trash.

Owns a fuel efficient car (40-50 mpg).

Planted a vegetable garden this summer.

 

Camped without a bathroom.

 

 

How concerned are you about the following:

Great deal of concern

Some concern

Not very concerned

Pollution of drinking water

 

 

 

Contamination of soil and water by toxic waste

 

 

 

Pollution of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs

 

 

 

Air pollution

 

 

 

Ocean and beach pollution