Course Description Examines procedural requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, state NEPA equivalents, interdisciplinary approaches to environmental impact analysis, and assessment of alternatives.
Students conduct environmental assessment, emphasizing social impact analysis.
This course covers not only the history and context of NEPA and its state equivalents, but gives students an introduction to what NEPA has accomplished since its promulgation, and its institutional and political challenges. The methods for preparing an EIS are emphasized through readings and a team project. Small teams will conduct an EIS and present their findings near the end of the semester. The Environmental Issue paper and individual portions of the EIS will be reviewed, edited, and then given back to students to revise and re-submit. Readings are to be read before coming to class on Tuesday of each week.