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Energy Policy, Environment & Social Change Seminar

CSC 33985

Seminar Learning Agreement

Immersion Dates and Location: Sunday, October 19 - Saturday, October 25, 2008; Washington, DC

Size: 12 students

Cost: $250 and $75 - $100 for DC expenses

Application Deadline: Thurs., Aug. 28, 2008

Application: (the online application will be availible later this summer)

Course Instructor: Alex Chapeaux

Seminar Director: Angela Miller McGraw

Overview

The course will introduce students to the scientific, environmental, economic, geopolitical, and social implications of current energy technologies through selected readings, writing assignments, class lectures and discussions, and a week-long immersion in Washington, DC. Then, students will learn to assess the strengths and weaknesses of alternative energy technologies (wind, solar, geothermal, fuel cells, ethanol, improving fossil fuel utilization, etc…), and of the various policies and economics surrounding energy. During the week in Washington, DC students will identify the limitations of current energy policies and environmental regulation through visits to industry lobbying groups, policy makers and government officials, environmental organizations, and federal regulatory bodies. Finally, students will begin to understand the relationship between energy consumption and environmental ethics, especially as understood in Catholic social tradition.

Course Objectives:

To introduce students to the scientific, environmental, economic, geopolitical, and social implications of current energy technologies.
To engage students in reflections on the strengths and weaknesses of the technology, policies, and economics in order to improve the state of energy use.
To offer a practical, hands-on view of energy policy and regulations through site visits in Washington, DC.
To reflect on the relationship between energy production, consumption and environmental and social consequences, especially as understood in Catholic social tradition.

Course Requirements

This Seminar is a one credit course, graded "S" or "U," in the Center for Social Concerns (CSC 33985). The following requirements are expected:

Participation in four classes prior to the immersion and one follow-up class.
Completion of assigned readings, short reflection papers and a final research paper (4-6 pages).
Participation in all site visits and activities in Washington, DC.
Completion of all course evaluations requested by the Seminar Director.

**PLEASE NOTE** Please check your class schedule to see if you have departmental exams that might conflict with this Seminar's class schedule. If so, please contact your instructor to request an alternative exam time.

Application Process

Online applications are due Thursday, August 28th (the online application will be availible later this summer).
Saint Mary's College students must contact Sally Burns.
By completing the application, you are agreeing to all requirements of the Energy Policy and Social Change Seminar.

All applicants will be notified regarding seminar selection by email on or before the first Sunday of the semester (Sunday, August 31, 2008). If you are applying to more than one seminar, you will receive a single email noting whether or not you have been selected to participate, and the name of the seminar you will be taking part in.

Criteria For Selection

The seminar is open to any undergraduate or graduate student in good standing at the University of Notre Dame or Saint Mary's College. Admittance to the seminar is based on a variety of factors. The primary criterion is expressed interest in the course objectives and aims of the seminar
We have a limited number of spots available. Students who submit their application later than others may be placed on a wait list. Preference will be given to upper class students who may have fewer opportunities to participate in the future.

Course Registration

You will receive email notification on a) whether you have been selected to participate in a seminar and b) which seminar you have been selected to participate in (this circumstance applies if you have applied to more than one seminar). Subsequently, the course instructor will email instructions for course registration, and you will need to register within the first seven days of the semester.
Contact the Assistant Dean's office of your College if you are over the maximum number of credit hours (Maximum Hours Exceeded) allowed by your College. The assistant deans of your college will be able to grant special approval. Contact Sally Burns at the Center for Social Concerns if you have a class time conflict.

Fees and Expenses

The cost of the seminar is $250. This fee will be assessed through Student Accounts after September 5th. This fee contributes to van rental, housing, site fees, building materials, gas, tolls, and food. Personal expenses are the responsibility of each student. Students will be responsible for their meals while they travel to and from the site and for metro charges. An additional $75-$100 should cover these expenses.

If you are accepted and you decide not to participate before September 5th, your student account will be charged a $40 cancellation fee. If you are accepted and you decide not to participate in the seminar after September 5th, your student account will be billed the full $250. (This is necessary because the Center has pre-paid many of the expenses of the seminar based on your acceptance into the program, and your acceptance may have precluded someone else from participating.)

***Limited financial aid is available. To apply for financial aid, please contact Sally Burns.

Withdrawal from the Course

Please notify the Seminar Director if extenuating circumstances prevent your participation in the seminar. Final day to drop is Friday, September 5th. To withdraw from this course, an Academic Course change form (obtained from the Center for Social Concerns), must be completed and signed by the Center’s Director of the Energy Policy and Social Change Seminar. Saint Mary’s students must complete the SMC drop-slip, signed by the student’s academic advisor and the Director of Washington Seminar, and then processed through the SMC Registrar’s Office.

Drops after September 5th and failure to follow proper withdrawal from course procedures will automatically result in a grade of “U.”

Calendar Fall 2008

Thurs., Aug. 28
Online application deadline (the online application will be availible later this summer).

Sun., Aug. 31
Acceptance confirmed by email. If you apply to more than one seminar, you will receive ONE email for the seminar you have been admitted into.

Wed., Sept 3

Last date to register. You must register with ND's online system and/or complete all registration forms by midnight.

Fri., Sept. 5
Final day to withdraw from course without penalty of being charged full fee.

Wed., Sept 17

REQUIRED: EPE&SC Seminar Class I 5:30-6:30 pm. Center for Social Concerns Rm. 140

Wed., Sept 24

REQUIRED: EPE&SC Seminar Class II 5:30-6:30 pm. Center for Social Concerns Rm. 140

Wed., Oct 1

REQUIRED: EPE&SC Seminar Class III 5:30-6:30 pm. Center for Social Concerns Rm. 140

Wed., Oct 8

REQUIRED: EPE&SC Seminar Class IV 5:30-6:30 pm. Center for Social Concerns Rm. 140

Wed., Oct 15

REQUIRED: EPE&SC Seminar Class V 5:30-6:30 pm. Center for Social Concerns Rm. 140

Thurs., Oct 16

Seminar Send-Off Mass

Sun., Oct. 19
Students leave for Washington: Departure time and location TBD

Sat., Oct. 25
Students return to ND late in the afternoon/evening.

Tues., Nov 5

REQUIRED: EPE&SC Seminar Class VI 5:30-6:30 pm. Center for Social Concerns Rm. 140