SEMINAR: ENVIRONMENTS OF CHINA

TEXTBOOK:  China's Environmental Crisis: An Inquiry into the Limits of National Development by Smil, Vaclav.

OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE:  All classes in this course will be taught in seminar format.  The concept of "seminar" implies that all participants share the responsibility for teaching and learning.  Students in this course will learn about natural Chinese environments by giving attention to the geographical and physiological features of the country.  The instructor accepts the main responsibility for selection of topics and for guiding the work of the other participants.

             The success of the semester will be gauged by the progress that each person makes toward a better understanding of the subject considered throughout our semester of work.  The instructor has chosen to require individual students to emphasize particular regions of the country since it is difficult for us all to study every region in depth, given constraints of resources and time.  Each person is expected to encourage others to learn about her focus region by being well prepared for each meeting.  A number of references will be made available for student use; however, finding additional sources will be a part of the student's responsibility. 

TOPICS COVERED:

• China - Geographical Features/MAPS
• China's Environmental Past
• Modern Chinese History as Viewed from Perspective of Environmental Impacts - 20^th Century, 1912-1948
• Modern Chinese History as Viewed form Perspective of Environmental Impacts - 20^th Century, 1949-present
• Mouths to Feed:  Food Issues
• Natural Resources:  Is China Rich or Poor?
• China's Modernization: At What Price?
• Energy:  This work says it all!
• Land Issues:  Doing More with Less?
• Who Will Feed China?
• China's Environmental Future