California State University, Chico

Department of Health and Community Services

 

                                                          ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

                                                               HCSV 362-01 Spring 2007

                                                                  Holt 266 TR 9:30-10:45

                                                                                                                                               

Professor:  Diana Flannery, PhD, MSEH      Office Hours:  M 12-3 R 12:30-2:30

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

Mailbox: 607 Butte                                           Office Phone:  898-4993

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I.  Course Description

            Environmental health is the field of science that studies how the environment effects human health and disease. 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, pesticides, and toxic substances 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. Discussion is focused on how we can manipulate or control the environment to prevent human injury and illness. This course will also include a community service component.  Each student will contribute a minimum of 4 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.

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II. Texts Required

            Nadakavukaren, A.  (2005, 6th Ed).  Our Global Environment.  Waveland Press:  Prospect Heights, IL.           

           

            HCSV 362 Reading Packet:  Available at Mr. Kopy, 119 Main Street Packet #91

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III.           Objectives

The primary goal of this course is to provide the student with a conceptual understanding of how hazards are controlled for several key areas of concern in environmental health. Upon

completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  •  Identify environmental factors that can negatively influence human health.
  •  Describe appropriate control methods for several different types of environmental hazards.
  •  Analyze the significance and validity of environmental health issues presented in the media       and on the web.

o       Develop a more informed opinion on controversial environmental health issues and proposed/enacted environmental health legislation.

o       Assess the complexity of our present population-resources pollution crisis.

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

o       Address the impact of environmental racism.


IV.       Course Outline

Day

Topic

Reading Assignment

1/23-25

Introduction to Environmental Health 

Nad. 1             RP 1-6

1/30-2/1

Environmental Education                                                          

                       RP. 7-10

2/6-8

 

Impact of Population on Human Resources

Nad. 2-5          RP 11-16

2/13-15,

20

Environmental Disease                         

Nad. 6             RP 17-22

2/22

Test 1

 

2/27

3/1

Solid and Hazardous Waste

Meet at Compost Site

Nad. 16           RP 23-24

Campus Clean up

3/6-8

Toxic Substances                                             

Nad. 7             RP. 25-35

Used Clothing Drive Due (3/8)

3/20-22, 29

Pests and Pesticides                 

 

Nad. 8             RP. 36-40

 

3/29-4/3, 4/5

Food Quality                           

 

Nad. 9             RP. 41-52

 

4/10

4/12

Radiation

Test 2

Nad. 10           RP.56-57

 

4/17-19

 

Environmental Racism                                                  

RP. 52-55

Food Safety Fact Sheet (4/19)

4/24-26

The Atmosphere & Air Pollution

 

Nad. 11,12      RP. 58-66

5/1-3

Water Resources & Pollution                           

Nad. 14, 15     RP. 67-69

Enviro Event Paper Due (5/1)

5/8

5/10

Why Share?

Review

RP.70 Bring item or service to share

 

5/15

Test 3 –  12:00 sharp

 

 

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 (10 points).

Attend and participate in one community clean-up for a minimum of 1 hour meeting at the Compost Site.  Describe your experience on a notecard.  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? Wear work clothes and gloves.

 

C.     Used Clothing Drive for Migrant Farmworker Project (10 points)

This semester marks our 6th year of service to migrant farmworkers in partnership with Migrant Education.  Collect 10 new or gently used clothing items for men, women, or children. Blankets and winter items are needed.


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.

·        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 (total cards=70). 

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

 

E.  Environmental Awareness Activity (10 points) Earth Day April 22, 2006

Attend an environmental public event in the Chico, University, or neighboring community.  All events must be approved by me.  Submit a typed, one page summary.  Provide the time, location, and describe the environmental issue/event.  Recount any thoughts before, during, and after the event.  Relate new insights, perceptions, and experiences. Give 3 examples of how this event relates to course content. Please submit paper 1 week after attending the event.

 

F.      Food Safety Fact Sheet (35 points)

Create a 1 page informational flyer for your favorite Chico restaurant.  Talk with the manager, determine the food safety educational needs of the manager’s staff, and create a colorful, detailed information flyer.  Possible topics include: handwashing, plastics/polystyrene, reducing waste, temperature control, seafood safety, buying local, poultry safety, marijuana/tobacco use, alcohol safety, etc….provide local resources, websites, minimum 4 references, identify restaurant or taco wagon. You will be graded on:

leel and depth of research, broad range of factors, overall appeal, advocacy, & referencing.

 

G.    Field Trip (15 points)

Attend a 4 hour trip to the Water Pollution Control Plant, Neal Dow Landfill, and green waste facility. Pack lunch. Bring notebook and pencil. Complete worksheets.

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VII.         Evaluation:

B. Cleanup                              

 10

C.  Used Clothing Drive

 10

D.  Notecards

 70

E.  Environmental Event Summary

 10

F.  Food Safety Fact Sheet

 35

G.  Field Trip

 15

Test 1

 50

Test 2 

100

Test 3  

 50

Total

350

 

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)

 

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 is.

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:

Post-test

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

 

 

 

Contamination of soil and water by radioactivity from nuclear facilities

 

 

 

Loss of natural habitat for wildlife

 

 

 

Loss of tropical rainforests

 

 

 

Damage to Earth’s ozone layer

 

 

 

Extinction of plant and animal species

 

 

 

Urban sprawl and loss of open space

 

 

 

Greenhouse effect or global warming

 

 

 

Environmental racism

 

 

 

Recycling and waste management

 

 

 

Food quality and safety

 

 

 

Pesticides in food, air, water

 

 

 

Migrant farmworker health and safety

 

 

 

How important do you feel it is for community action/involvement in the following areas?

Very important

Somewhat important

Not very important

Community clean-ups

 

 

 

Recycling

 

 

 

Farmers market