California State University, Chico

Department of Health and Community Services

 

                                                          ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

                                                               HCSV 362-01 Spring 2009

                                                             Plumas 106 TR 11:00 – 12:15

                                                                                                                                               

Professor:  Diana Flannery, PhD, MSEH      Office Hours: M 12-3 T 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 #46

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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

1/27-29

Introduction to Environmental Health

 

Nad. 1              RP 1-5

Also, read article on Vista

 1 card due this 1/29

2/3-5

Environmental Education                                      

                         RP. 6-9

2/10-12

Impact of Population on Human Resources

 

Nad. 2-5          RP 10-15

2/17-19

2/24

Environmental Disease                       

Nad. 6              RP 16-22

2/26

Test 1

 

 

3/3

3/5

Solid and Hazardous Waste

Meet at Compost Site

 

Nad. 16           RP 23-24

 

3/10-12

Toxic Substances                     

Nad. 7             RP. 25-30 T

                        RP. 31-35 R

3/24-26

Pests and Pesticides       

 

Nad. 8             RP. 36-40

 

3/31, 4/2, 4/7

Food Quality                  

 

Nad. 9             RP. 41-46 T

                        RP. 47-51 R

4/9

Landfill Tour 10:45 am

Meet at Holt Hall

Nad. 10           RP.56-58 R

 

4/14

4/16

Radiation

Test 2

 

 

4/21-23

Environmental Racism                                          

                        RP. 52-55

 

4/28-30

The Atmosphere &

Air Pollution

 

Nad. 11, 12    RP. 59-63

5/5-7

Water Resources & Pollution                            

Nad. 14, 15    RP. 64-67

 

5/12

5/14

Why Share?

Test 3

Bring item or service to share

 

5/21 & 5/22

Thursday and Friday Diversion Excursion

Work two hours either Thursday or Friday

           


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.  Notecard Assignment (60 points):  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.

     

      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=60) the final notecard include thoughts or reactions for the group.

 

      Personal Info Notecard (due Jan 29):  Name, major, minor, hometown, skills, current job,and exceptionality.  Attach small picture.  Read One Green Year (on Vista) and list your personal goals for a better planet that you will begin today, this week, this month, this semester, and this year.

 

C.   Earth Month Event (20 points):

Attend 1 environmental lecture or event during Earth Month. Submit a typed, one page summary of each session attended.  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.

 

D.    Field Trip (10 points): Tentative Date April 15, 2008

Attend a 2 hour trip to the Neal Dow Landfill.  Meet at Holt Hall at 9am.

 

E.     Tattoo Safety Project:  TBA

 

F.      Diversion Excursion (25 points): Thursday/Friday May 22 & 23

Attend and participate in DE for a minimum of 2 hours.  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, hat, protective shoes, and gloves. Bring water.

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VII.         Evaluation:

B. Notecards               

 60

A = (94-100)

C+= (78-79)

C.  Earth Month Lecture/Event

 20

A-= (90-93)

C = (74-77)

D.  Field Trip to Landfill

 10

B+= (88-89)

C-= (70-73)

E.  Tattoo Safety Project

 25

B = (84-87)

D+= (67-69)

F. Diversion Excursion

 25

B- = (80-83)

D = (64-66)

Test 1

 50

 

F = (63 or less)

Test 2 

100

 

 

Test 3  

 50

 

 

Total

340

 

 

 


 

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

 

 

 

 

How concerned are you about the following:

Pre-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