FRS 002D —
Sec. 001 —
(2 unit) — CRN 45499 — T 3:10-5:30pm — 5 Wellman
Environmental Coprology – The Case for Law and
Ordure
Instructor: Dean O. Cliver, Department of Population Health
and Reproducation,
School of Veterinary Medicine
Description: Feces are the proto-pollutant, having been with
us long before man’s technologies began to create environmental problems.
We will look at the potential environmental and public health impacts of human
and animal wastes and will consider technological measures applicable
in cities,
the countryside, and aboard conveyances, including spacecraft. The social and
political aspects will be explored. This is a core problem facing
environmentalists,
government, and concerned citizens. One ought not discuss
environmental problems
without knowing feces. Students will learn of an environmental issue in which
everyone is part of the problem. They will learn how science, technology, and
government regulation are affected by dealing with an emotion-charged
topic. They
will learn how essential technology and effective political action are in our
daily lives.
Format: The class will comprise nine 2.25-hour sessions and an
optional field trip to a nearby wastewater treatment plant. The first session
will address organization and make individual assignments to students. We will
recess for 2 weeks to allow preparation time before beginning student
presentations
in week 3. Each student will accept responsibility for one of the above topics
or a negotiated alternative. They will use the instructor and the internet as
resources in researching the topic. They will make an introductory presentation
and then lead the class discussion on their topic. Each student will prepare a
topic and lead a discussion on it. A brief written report, explicitly
citing sources
of information, will be turned in on that occasion, and preparation of outline
handouts for classmates will be encouraged.
Grading: Grading
will be one-third for the presentation, one-third for the written report, and
one-third for participation in discussions of other students’ topics.
About the Instructor: Professor Cliver is a member
of the faculty
in the Department of Population Health and Reproduction in the School
of Veterinary
Medicine. His research concerns infectious diseases transmitted via
food and water.
He teaches courses on food safety. His 42-year research career has led him to
view the world as though peering outward through the anal orifice;
this reverse
proctoscopy leads to some rather unusual perceptions.