BEM 4301, Environmental Strategies
Course Syllabus
Course Description
Analysis of fundamental concepts and strategies related to resource management, environmental stewardship, and
sustainable development. Includes the introduction of economic and social decision-making, and development that does
not sacrifice the environment.
Course Textbook
Holechek, J. L., Cole, R. A., Fisher, J. T., & Valdez, R. (2003). Natural resources: Ecology, economics, and policy
(2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Provide operational definitions of natural resources and ecosystems, and explain why natural resources need
management, especially with respect to increasing population numbers and demand for resources.
2. Describe economic concepts particularly relevant to management decisions related to the improvement of human
welfare.
3. Describe the important management concepts of planning, policy development, and administration of natural
resource management organizations.
4. Discuss the diverse atmospheric resources, water resources, and soil resources.
5. Discuss forest management concepts, range and range management concepts, and farmland resource
management concepts.
6. Discuss the concepts of land resources management for outdoor recreation, and concepts of natural resources
management in urban areas.
7. Discuss the concepts of wildlife conservation and management and fishery management.
8. Summarize the threats to biodiversity, policies developed to protect biodiversity, and the main approaches taken
to the management for biodiversity resources.
9. Describe the different types of mineral resources, their geological origins, their development, and environmental
concerns.
10. Discuss energy use in the U.S., the production of nonrenewable forms of energy, and the environmental concerns
associated with development and use of nonrenewable energy resources.
11. Summarize the status and trends of renewable energy development and use primarily in the U.S.
12. Identify and describe problems with international development of natural resources and strategies for solving
them.
13. Summarize the basic principles of market economics, contrasting market economies with command and mixed
economies, and discussing protectionist versus open trade policies.
14. Summarize prevalent themes now dominating strategic planning in natural resources management in the U.S.
and elsewhere in the world.
Credits
Upon completion of this course, the students will earn three (3) hours of college credit.
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Course Structure
1. Unit Learning Outcomes: Each unit contains Unit Learning Outcomes that specify the measurable skills and
knowledge students should gain upon completion of the unit.
2. Unit Lesson: Units I-VI and VIII contain a Unit Lesson, which discusses lesson material.
3. Reading Assignments: Units I-VI and VIII contain Reading Assignments from one or more chapters from the
textbook. Suggested Readings are provided in Unit VII to aid students in their course of study.
4. Learning Activities (Non-Graded): These non-graded Learning Activities are provided to aid students in their
course of study.
5. Key Terms: Key Terms are intended to guide students in their course of study. Students should pay particular
attention to Key Terms as they represent important concepts within the unit material and reading.
6. Discussion Boards: Discussion Boards are a part of all CSU term courses. Information and specifications
regarding these assignments are provided in the Academic Policies listed in the Course Menu bar.
7. Unit Assessments: Units I-VI and VIII contain Unit Assessments, one to be completed at the end of each unit.
Assessments are composed of multiple-choice questions and/or written response questions.
8. Research Paper: Students are required to submit for grading a Research Paper in Unit VII. Specific information
and instructions regarding this assignment are provided below. A grading rubric is included with the assignment in
Unit VII. Specific information about accessing this rubric is provided below.
9. Ask the Professor: This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or
course content related questions.
10. Student Break Room: This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates.
CSU Online Library
There is a virtual library with resources, including both journals and ebooks, to support your program and your course at
Columbia Southern University. eResources are accessible 24 hours a day/7 days a week from the CSU Online Library
gateway page. To access the library, log into myCSU, and then click on CSU Online Library. Resources are organized in
the library by title, but if you click on Research Guides, you will find eResources arranged by subject.
The Library Reference service is available 7 days a week; you can reach CSU’s virtual librarians by e-mailing
[email protected]. These professional librarians will be glad to help you develop your research
plan or to assist you in any way in finding relevant, appropriate, and timely information.
Librarian responses may occur within minutes or hours, but it will never take more than 24 hours for a librarian to send a
response to the e-mail address you have provided. Replies to reference requests may include customized keyword
search strategies, links to videos, research guides, screen captures, attachments, a phone call, live screen sharing,
meeting room appointments, and other forms of instruction.
Unit VII Research Paper
Prepare a three- to five-page scholarly paper (excluding the title page and reference page). In addition to your primary
text, you are required to use a minimum of five additional references from professional journals and books to produce your
paper. CSU requires that students use the APA Style when formatting course papers. Therefore, the APA rules for
formatting, quoting, paraphrasing, citing, and listing of sources are to be followed.
Prior to beginning Unit V, you should select one of the topics below, provide a brief (one page) outline for your paper, and
e-mail it to your instructor.
1. The Historical Perspective
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Choose an important figure in the early conservation movement. You will find several examples of such
individuals in Chapter 2, or you can choose a person the text does not cover.
Provide a detailed description of the individual's work and accomplishments.
How did his or her work contribute to the early conservation movement?
How did he or she influence current environmental policy or natural resource management objectives?
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2. Conservation Economics
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•
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Select one of the “Hard Choices” described on pages 105-107 of the text.
Provide a factual analysis for both sides of the issue.
Who are the stakeholders involved on each side?
Describe at least three options for solving the problem.
Where do you stand on the issue? Choose a side and defend your position.
3. Energy
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•
•
•
•
Choose one form of renewable energy that you believe is the most viable solution to our energy crisis.
How does your chosen energy source work?
What are the advantages and disadvantages?
What are the most important economic, social, and technological obstacles that must be overcome to allow
the resource to be widely used?
What are the most recent advancements in technology for your chosen resource?
Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.
APA Guidelines
CSU requires that students use the APA style for papers and projects. Therefore, the APA rules for formatting, quoting,
paraphrasing, citing, and listing of sources are to be followed. Students can find CSU’s Citation Guide in the myCSU
Student Portal by clicking on the “Citation Resources” link in the “Learning Resources” area of the myCSU Student Portal.
This document includes examples and sample papers and provides information on how to contact the CSU Success
Center.
Blackboard Grading Rubrics
Assignment Rubrics
One or more assignments in this course utilizes a Blackboard Grading Rubric. A rubric is a tool that lists evaluation criteria
and can help you organize your efforts to meet the requirements of an assignment. Your professor will use the Blackboard
Grading Rubric to assign points and provide feedback for the assignment.
You are encouraged to view the assignment rubric before submitting your work. This will allow you to review the
evaluation criteria as you prepare your assignments. You may access the rubric in “My Grades” through the “Tools” button
in your course menu. Click the “View Rubric” link to see the evaluation criteria for the assignment. Upon receiving your
assignment grade, you may view your grade breakdown and feedback in the rubric.
CSU Grading Rubrics for Papers/Projects, Discussion Boards, and Assessments
The Learning Resource area of the myCSU Student Portal provides the rubrics, and information on how to use them, for
Discussion Boards, written response questions in Unit Assessments, and Research Papers/Projects.
The course writing assignments will be graded based on the CSU Grading Rubric for all types of writing assignments,
unless otherwise specified within assignment instructions. In addition, all papers will be submitted for electronic evaluation
to rule out plagiarism. Course projects will contain project-specific grading criteria defined in the project directions.
To view the rubrics, click the Academic Policies link on the Course Menu, or access them through the CSU Grading
Rubric link found in the Learning Resources area of the myCSU Student Portal.
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Communication Forums
These are non-graded discussion forums that allow you to communicate with your professor and other students.
Participation in these discussion forums is encouraged, but not required. You can access these forums with the buttons in
the Course Menu. Instructions for subscribing/unsubscribing to these forums are provided below.
Click here for instructions on how to subscribe/unsubscribe and post to the Communication Forums.
Ask the Professor
This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or course content questions.
Questions may focus on Blackboard locations of online course components, textbook or course content elaboration,
additional guidance on assessment requirements, or general advice from other students.
Questions that are specific in nature, such as inquiries regarding assessment/assignment grades or personal
accommodation requests, are NOT to be posted on this forum. If you have questions, comments, or concerns of a nonpublic nature, please feel free to email your professor. Responses to your post will be addressed or emailed by the
professor within 48 hours.
Before posting, please ensure that you have read all relevant course documentation, including the syllabus,
assessment/assignment instructions, faculty feedback, and other important information.
Student Break Room
This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates. Communication on this forum should
always maintain a standard of appropriateness and respect for your fellow classmates. This forum should NOT be used to
share assessment answers.
Grading
Discussion Boards (6 @ 1%; 2 @ 2%)
Unit Assessments (7 @ 10%)
Research Paper
Total
= 10%
= 70%
= 20%
= 100%
Course Schedule/Checklist (PLEASE PRINT)
The following pages contain a printable Course Schedule to assist you through this course. By following this schedule,
you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted.
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BEM 4301, Environmental Strategies
Course Schedule
By following this schedule, you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted. Please keep this
schedule for reference as you progress through your course.
Unit I
Review:
Read:
Discuss:
Submit:
Notes/Goals:
Unit II
Review:
Read:
Discuss:
Submit:
Notes/Goals:
Unit III
Review:
Read:
Discuss:
Submit:
Notes/Goals:
Overview of Natural Resources, Basic Ecology, and Conservation Economics
 Unit Study Guide
 Learning Activities (Non-Graded): See Study Guide
 Chapter 1: Natural Resources: An Overview
 Chapter 3: Basic Ecology
 Chapter 4: Conservation Economics
 Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by
Saturday, Midnight (Central Time)
 Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time)
 Assessment by Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time)
Atmospheric Resources and Climate, Water Resources, and Soil: The Basic Land Resource
 Unit Study Guide
 Learning Activities (Non-Graded): See Study Guide
 Chapter 6: Atmospheric Resources and Climate
 Chapter 7: Water Resources
 Chapter 8: Soil: The Basic Land Resource
 Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by
Saturday, Midnight (Central Time)
 Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time)
 Assessment by Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time)
Planning, Policy, and Administration, Forests and Forestry and Rangeland and Range Management
 Unit Study Guide
 Learning Activities (Non-Graded): See Study Guide
 Chapter 5: Planning, Policy, and Administration
 Chapter 10: Forests and Forestry
 Chapter 11: Rangeland and Range Management
 Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by
Saturday, Midnight (Central Time)
 Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time)
 Assessment by Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time)
BEM 4301, Environmental Strategies
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BEM 4301, Environmental Strategies
Unit IV
Review:
Read:
Discuss:
Submit:
Course Schedule
Farmland and Food Production, Outdoor Recreation and Urban Land Use Management
 Unit Study Guide
 Learning Activities (Non-Graded): See Study Guide
 Chapter 12: Farmland and Food Production
 Chapter 13: Outdoor Recreation
 Chapter 14: Urban Land-Use Management
 Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by
Saturday, Midnight (Central Time)
 Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time)
 Assessment by Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time)
 Research Paper Outline
Notes/Goals:
Unit V
Review:
Read:
Discuss:
Submit:
Notes/Goals:
Unit VI
Review:
Read:
Discuss:
Submit:
Notes/Goals:
Wildlife Conservation and Management, Fishery Conservation and Management, and Biodiversity
and Endangered Species Management
 Unit Study Guide
 Learning Activities (Non-Graded): See Study Guide
 Chapter 15: Wildlife Conservation and Management
 Chapter 16: Fishery Conservation and Management
 Chapter 17: Biodiversity and Endangered Species Management
 Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by
Saturday, Midnight (Central Time)
 Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time)
 Assessment by Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time)
Mineral Resources, Nonrenewable Energy Resources and Renewable Energy
 Unit Study Guide
 Learning Activities (Non-Graded): See Study Guide
 Chapter 18: Mineral Resources
 Chapter 19: Nonrenewable Resources
 Chapter 20: Renewable Energy: The Sustainable Path to a Secure Energy Future
 Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by
Saturday, Midnight (Central Time)
 Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time)
 Assessment by Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time)
BEM 4301, Environmental Strategies
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BEM 4301, Environmental Strategies
Unit VII
Review:
Read:
Discuss:
Submit:
Course Schedule
Research Paper
 Unit Study Guide
 Learning Activities (Non-Graded): See Study Guide
 None
 Suggested Reading: See Study Guide
 Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by
Saturday, Midnight (Central Time)
 Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time)
 Research Paper by Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time)
Notes/Goals:
Unit VIII
Review:
Read:
Discuss:
Submit:
Natural Resources and International Development, Economics and Economic Systems, and
Sustainable Development, Technology and the Future
 Unit Study Guide
 Learning Activities (Non-Graded): See Study Guide
 Chapter 21: Natural Resources and International Development
 Chapter 22: Economics and Economic Systems
 Chapter 23: Sustainable Development, Technology, and the Future
 Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by
Saturday, Midnight (Central Time)
 Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time)
 Assessment by Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time)
Notes/Goals:
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