Welcome to Natural History and Conservation in Appalachia! This page offers information about the structure
and goals of the course, and relevant policies of grading and course
operations. If you have questions, contact me.
Page Index:
InstructorCourse Instructor:
Textbooks
Course Overview and Goals
Grading Policies
Steven L. Hopp
Office: 944-6727 McGlothlin-Street Hall 121
Faculty Website
Office Hours: 11:00- 1:00 TTH, Immediately Before and After Class, or Arranged
Course Books:
Required Textbooks:
Norman Wirzba (Editor) The Essential Agrarian Reader: The Future of Culture, Community, and the Land
Shoemaker & Hoard 2004
Wendell Berry The Unsettling of America: Culture & Agriculture
Sierra Club Books 1996
Chris Bolgiano Living in the Appalachian Forest: True Tales of Sustainable Forestry
Stackpole Books 2002
The main goals of this course are to provide a brief overview of the natural history of the immediate and extended Appalachian region, provide an introduction to the different biological systems and resources of the region, and develop a context for past and current anthropogenic use of these biological systems.
The Central and Southern Appalachian region is dominated by a forested landscape, with an ample supply of water. Coupled with this is a rich variability of landscape and ecotypes, providing means for both past evolution and current support for a wealth of biodiversity in the region. An introductory survey of the biological systems in the region will focus on major extant groups, including forests, plant communities and major animal groups, with a focus on the unique and prevalent biodiversity of the region. This allows an opportunity to illustrate the principles and concepts of ecology and evolution in regional context.
The current ecology of Appalachia has been shaped by anthropogenic influences. This can be
viewed from different perspectives, including historical, agroecological, sociopolitical,
and cultural. We will consider the consequences of human activities, and the past and current
roles of government, business, citizens, activists and the press in shaping and directing
environmental and land-use policies. Activites including architecture, farming practices,
zoning laws, religion, community traditions, social policy and public attitudes all play
a role in natural resource management practices. We will examine a range of approaches to
the future of the region, and consider balances of human and natural systems. Current
regional activities focusing on environmental sustainability, agriculture, and habitat
restoration will be used to illustrate these balances.
Grades will be computed using the following components:
Details of all of these will be discussed during class.
Grades will be computed on a curve of the person who achieves
the highest point total. Ninety percent of this level and above
is the A range, 80-90% is the B range, 70-80% is the C range, 60-70%
the D range. This course should enable the student to:
A course at this level with intensive content shouldn't need an
attendance policy; students should be self-motivated to participate
without prompting. Absences will be excused only for legitimate
reasons and with advanced notice. Unexcused absences will result
in a reduction in the final grade of a letter-grade increment (for
example from B to B-).
Out of respect for both the instructors and other students, cell phone use
(both outgoing and incoming)
will not be permitted in class.
Grading Policies:
Learning Goals:
Attendance Policies:
Cell Phones:
Please turn off cell phones,
pagers, i-pods and the like at the beginning of each session.
Weather: In the unlikely event that the college is on a two-hour-delay-condensed-class
schedule due to inclement weather, class will be from 10:50 to 11:35