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翻譯：YM Huang(簡介並寄信)
編輯：侯嘉玨(簡介並寄信)
論文題目之指定閱讀教材相關研讀問題

研讀問題

課 相關研讀問題
2
  1. 檢視1600年代至今的環境政策沿革，試著舉出幾個最明顯的趨勢及轉折點。忽略細節；看看美國人口、政府和環境之間的關係發生了什麼變化。

    a. 為了解釋這些的改變，你如何切割其中的每一時期？所使用(作為切割標準)的議題和關鍵是什麼？

    b. 在每一被切割的時期，在環境議題中誰扮演最主要的角色？

  2. 美國何時真正有「環境政策」？
3 and 4
  1. 《地球的爭辯》裡「限制和自衛」一節中，三個選文各主張一個威脅環境破壞的人類活動，每一個選文也將其論點建立在各個不同的因果事實。文中提到的這些因果事實各為何？

  2. 同上題，回答出《地球的爭辯》裡「普羅米修斯的反應」一節中，前二個選文所陳述的主張。

  3. 「限制和自衛」及「普羅米修斯」的作者都列出科學事證來支持他們的論點。哪個是他們同樣所提的科學論點，為何他們卻有相反的結論。
5
  1. 政策制定過程中，哪二個或三個是環境政策結果最重要的決定因子？

  2. 回想我們對環境政策和環境政策制定的定義。現在，利益團體的存在對政策制定的好處是什麼，例如農夫組織變成美國農場事務聯合會，或越野車愛好者組織成藍帶聯盟？一個非政府組織的好處在哪？是否有弱點？

    (※譯者補充:政策制定過程中的利益團體不必然等同於非政府組織NGO)
6
  1. Layzer (2000)第一章有哪兩個或三個最重要的因素影響1970年代「清淨空氣法」及「清淨水體法」的最後版本？這些條款為何是這樣？

  2. Layzer (2000)第一章及Switzer (2001)第八章新授權的「清淨空氣法」及「清淨水體法」中條文化的期程如何影響污染政策和政策制度？

  3. Layzer (2000)第一章及Switzer (2001)第八章為何這些政策的施行到後來並不能合於當初立法的原意？
7
  1. 比較「清淨空氣法」及「清淨水體法」的文字和條款，他們如何相似？他們有明顯的不同嗎？
9
  1. Dryzek及Schlosberg (1998)等編著第七章至第九章 回歸專業制定環境政策的法律規章優點(利益)為何？這種方式有哪些缺點(成本)？

  2. 政府官僚機構是否真能以「無價值取向」/沒主觀意識的方式來執行政策？
Two days after Class #9
  1. Layzer (2000)第八章 酸雨問題如何變成(1)大眾議題和(2)政府議題？

  2. 科學家和政客如何在政策制定上互相制衡而引導出1990年的「清淨空氣法」修正案？

  3. 「市場機制」的環境政策制度設計如何降低制定環境法規所帶來的成本，像污染額度交易？

  4. Dryzek及Schlosberg (1998)207-254頁 訴諸市場機制是否一定暗示著比較不嚴格的污染管制？

  5. 使用市場機制來做污染控制包含什麼不公平及或是道德議題？這些是問題嗎？
16
  1. Layzer (2000)第六章 當你看了斑點梟爭論這一章，想想案例中為制定一個保護瀕臨滅絕物種所花費的精力及其中許多扭曲和轉折，保護木材和財產權利益、保護林木群落、保護區域經濟等，在看一下一些錯誤的政策開端與無解的結果、反效果、部分的成功，然後問你自己：環境政策為何及誰制定了它？在互相矛盾對立的事情中，那一個是政府用來制度政策的？
論文作業

第一篇論文題目
第五堂課需繳交

寫一篇三頁的社論來討論: (1)我們對環境威脅小題大作 或(2)我們小看了環境威脅。你的目的是建立一個大眾及政策制定者在這12年間對環境政策必須思考的一般參考架構。

你的論文必須架構在(1)一個基本論點或主張，(2)主張中的命題及證據，及(3)政策的推論。

講者建議學生們可參考紐約時報、華爾街日報、華盛頓郵報及洛城時報的社論。GREENWIRE也提供環境社論的連結。

第六堂課社論的重寫(第八堂課需繳交)

第二篇論文題目
第13堂課需繳交

你已經研讀了四個1970年代環境法改革的重要法案：「清淨空氣法」、「清淨水體法」、「瀕臨滅絕物種法」和「綜合環境反應補償責法案」(俗稱的超級基金法案)。這些都被視為是「命令與管制式」的政策制定決策模式。請寫一篇2400字[2200-2500字之間]的論文以檢視這個環境政策常使用的一般方法的2個優點及2個缺點。

使用這些法令的細節來說明你的論點。如果你能找出跨法令的多重說明將可使你的論點更具可信度。

一篇有力量的論文可使用基本的1-3架構：每一段應將焦點集中在第一段所提出的其中一個核心想法做為骨幹，並在該段落的其他篇幅提出三個支持/例證來使核心想法具有血肉。

註：※這篇的格式約等同於8頁，用12點字及1.5倍行距、每頁約300字。然而若有些學生以創意使有大字型或寬行距時將驅使我們以字而非頁數來計算。

第三篇論文題目

你在美國綠黨做政策分析員。綠黨計畫在下屆總統選舉推出一個候選人並要求你協助準備黨的環境政策宣言議題。你的任務是寫一篇2400字[2200-2500字之間]的論文來討論下列問題：

  • 你認為我們今日面臨最緊迫的兩個環境問題是什麼？描述你選擇這些問題而非其他問題的原因和後果。
  • 對於處理你所提出的問題，在規劃及執行更有效的環境政策時，面臨最重大的障礙是什麼？
  • 提出一個克服你所提出障礙的行動計畫。

你的論文應提出課堂上所使用的許多閱讀、演講和新事項。你應使用具體的例子來支持你的論調-實例或類比事件。詳細紀錄你的主要論點。

論文文獻引用格式

現存文獻引用格式有許多種，「科學期刊」格式是最早和最簡單的格式之一，也是我希望你們在論文中使用的格式。依據不同的參考獻型式有不同的排列。

規則1： 在文中引用參考文獻(作者姓氏，年份)

布希總統最近宣示「…海珊，你這個惡魔，在48小時內離開那個城市…」(Gertz,2001)

規則2： 如果同一個作者在同一年份有不止一篇文獻(許多記者皆如此)，在年份附尾一個字母-a, b, c, etc.-(Gertz, 1999a; Gertz, 1992b).

規則3： 在論文最後必須有一個參考文獻來說明每一個引用文獻的完整資訊，並以作者的姓氏按字母先後排列，其格式為：

期刊文章：

作者姓氏，名字(年份) 「文章題目」《期刊名稱》期數 卷數 頁數

[註：報紙不需期數或卷數]

書目：

作者姓氏，名字(年份)《書名》(出版城市：出版者)

經編著的內容：

作者姓氏，名字(編著書出版年份) 「章名」作者(們)編者卷次 刷次《書名》(出版城市：出版者)

Examples:

Clinton, William (1997) "Advancing our Interests through Engagement and Enlargement," in Peter Hays, Brenda Vallance, and Alan Van Tassel American Defense Policy (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press), 284-297.

Gertz, William (2001) "Bush Goes to War," Washington Times (September 12), 1.

Kuconis, John (2002) Flying is Way Cool (Colorado Springs: US Air Force Academy), 200-203.

Study questions for selected assigned readings are listed below, followed by paper topics.

Study Questions

課 STUDY QUESTIONS
2
  1. Looking at the evolution of environmental policy from the 1600s to the present try to identify several of the most apparent trends and discontinuities. Forget the details; what was happening to the relationship between the U.S. population, the government, and the environment.

    a. How would you divide that history into episodes? What were the driving issues and concerns?

    b. Who were the most important players in setting the environmental agenda during those episodes?

  2. When did the U.S. really get an "environmental policy"?
3 and 4
  1. Each of the three selections in the "Limits & Survivalism" section of Debating the Earth argue that human activity is threatening environmental destruction. However, each builds its argument around a different causal story. What is the causal story in each of these writings?

  2. Answer the question posed above for the first two selections in the "Promethean" section of Debating the Earth.

  3. Both the "Limits & Survivalism" authors and the "Promethean" authors enlist scientific facts to bolster their arguments. What science do they use and why do they reach opposite conclusions?
5
  1. What seem to be the two or three most important determinants of environmental policy outcomes in the policy making process?

  2. Think about our definitions of environmental politics and environmental policy-making. Now, what are the advantages of interest groups such as farmers organizing into a formal organization like the American Farm Bureau, or off-road vehicle enthusiasts organizing into the Blue Ribbon Coalition? What are the strengths of an NGO? Does it have weaknesses?
6
  1. Layzer (2000), Chapter 1. What are the two or three most important influences on the final forms of the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act of the early 1970s? Why did they have the provisions they did?

  2. Layzer (2000), Chapter 1; and Switzer (2001), Chapter 8. How does the regularized schedule for Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act reauthorization affect pollution policy and policy-making?

  3. Layzer (2000), Chapter 1; and Switzer (2001), Chapter 8. Why does implementation of these laws seem not to measure up to the original intent of the legislation?
7
  1. Compare the language and provisions in the Clean Water Act with that of the Clean Air Act. How are they similar? Are there any glaring differences?
9
  1. Dryzek and Schlosberg, eds. (1998), Chapters 7, 8 and 9. What are the advantages (benefits) of having professional bureaucrats set rules and regulations defining environmental policy? What are some of the disadvantages (costs) of this approach?

  2. Can government bureaucracies really implement policy in a "value free" way?
Two days after Class #9
  1. Layzer (2000), Chapter 8. How did the problem of acid rain get on (1) the public agenda and (2) the government agenda?

  2. How did science and politics play off one another in policymaking leading up the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments?

  3. How does the use of "market mechanisms" such as pollution credit trading make environmental regulation less costly?

  4. Dryzek and Schlosberg, eds. (1998), pp. 207-254. Does resort to market mechanisms necessarily imply less stringent pollution control?

  5. What are the inequities and perhaps moralities of using market mechanisms for pollution control? Do they matter?
16
  1. Layzer (2000), Chapter 6. As you read this chapter on the Spotted Owl controversy, think about the many twists and turns that case takes in the effort to define a policy that protects endangered species, protects timber and property rights interests, protects timber communities, protects regional economies, etc. Think about the number of false starts, dead ends, reversals, partial victories, etc. and ask yourself: What is environmental policy and who makes it? Which of the many things--many contradictory things--that government does defines policy?
Essay Assignments

Paper Topic #1
Due in Class #5

Write a three page opinion-editorial that argues: (1) We are overestimating environmental threats or (2) We are underestimating environmental threats. Your goal is to establish a general frame of reference for how the public and policy makers should think about environmental policy in this decade.

Your essay should be structured in terms of (1) A basic thesis or argument, (2) propositions and evidence, and (3) implications for policy.

I suggest you look at the opinion editorial page of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and LA Times. GREENWIRE also provides link to environmental opinion-editorials.

Class #6 (Due in Class #8) Re-Write of the opinion-editorial.

Paper Topic #2
Due in Class #13

You've studied four cornerstone environmental laws of the 1970s: the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and CERLCA (Superfund). These are considered to be archetypical forms of "command and control" regulation. Write a 2400 word* [2200-2500 words] essay that examines two (2) of the strengths and two (2) of the weaknesses of this general approach to environmental policy.

Use the specifics of these laws to illustrate your arguments. If you can find multiple illustrations across the several laws, then your argument will have more credibility.

A strong essay might use a basic 1-3 structure: each paragraph should focus on one core idea that is stated in the first sentence. The remainder of the paragraph would be composed of three supporting/elaborative statements to flesh out the argument.

Note: *This is equivalent to our 8-page requirement. It assumes 12 point font and 1.5 line spacing, about 300 words per page. However, some students' creative use of large fonts and wide margins have compelled us to respecify the paper length in terms of number of words.

Paper Topic #3

You work as a policy analyst for the Green Party of the United States. The Green Party plans to run a candidate in the next presidential election and wants you to help prepare the Party's environmental platform agenda. Your task is to write a 2400 word [2200-2500 words] essay that addresses the following questions:

  • What do you believe are the two most pressing environmental problems we face today? Describe the causes and consequences of these problems and explain why you chose them over other possible candidates.
  • What are the most serious impediments to devising and implementing more effective environmental policies for coping with the problems you described?
  • Present an action plan for overcoming these impediments.

Your essay should draw heavily on the readings, lectures, and news items used for class. You should use concrete examples to bolster your points - either as illustrations or analogies. Document your key points.

Citation Style for Papers

Many different citation styles exist. One of the easiest and simplest is the "science journal" style, which is what I want you to use in your papers. There are a number of permutations depending on the reference type.

Rule 1: Embed the reference with the form (author last name, year) in the your text.

President Bush recently stated "...Saddam, you varmint, you 48 hours to get out of town...." (Gertz, 2001).

Rule 2: If the same author has more than one reference in a given year (as many journalists do) append a letter--a, b, c, etc.--to the year. (Gertz, 1999a; Gertz, 1992b).

Rule 3: You need a bibliography at the end of the paper that gives the full citation to each reference. The bibliography should be alphabetical by author last name. It takes the form:

For a journal article:

Author last name, first name (year) "Article Title," Journal Name, Vol #, No. #, pages

[Note: newspapers do not require Vol. or No.]

For a book:

Author last name, first name (year) Book Title (Publishing City: Publisher)

For material in an edited book:

Author last name, first name (year of edited book publication) "Chapter Title," in Author(s) of edited volume, ed. Title of Book (Publishing City: Publisher)

Examples:

Clinton, William (1997) "Advancing our Interests through Engagement and Enlargement," in Peter Hays, Brenda Vallance, and Alan Van Tassel American Defense Policy (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press), 284-297.

Gertz, William (2001) "Bush Goes to War," Washington Times (September 12), 1.

Kuconis, John (2002) Flying is Way Cool (Colorado Springs: US Air Force Academy), 200-203.


 
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