Unit 3-Human Population

Objectives

To develop an understanding of human population dynamics
To make connections between human population growth and environmental degradation
To make conenctions between human consumption patterns and environmental degradation
To explore the meaning of carrying capasity as it applies to humans
To develop an understanding of ecological footprint analysis
To consider the implications of food production technologies and distribution as they relate to world hunger

Readings

Natural Resource Conservation

Chapter 4 (including Ethics in Resource Conservation 4.1)
Chapter 5
Ethics in Resource Conservation 17.2

Unit 3 Reading Study Guide: Link opens new browser window.

Lecture Video

Lecture 3: Population and Consumption--Dawn Anzinger

Lecture 3 Notes: Link opens new browser window. Presentation slides from Dawn's lecture.

Printable Lecture Notes: Link opens new browser window.

Assignments

1. Participate in this week's graded class discussion.

Graded Class Discussion Instructions

2. Work on your Ecological Footprint assignments.

Ecological Footprint assignments are due by 12pm PST Sunday of Week 4.

Option 1: Ecological Footprint Paper Instructions

Option 2: Ecological Footprint Poster Instructions

Supplemental Research

The following are links to sites containing material related to this week’s unit topic. They are provided for your information only and are not assigned reading.

Population Reference Bureau (PRB): Link opens new browser window. The PRB is a nonprofit organization that informs the public about population issues. Site provides numerous articles on different population issues.
Madre: Link opens new browser window. Madre is an international women's human rights organization. Site provides information on food security and other women's rights issues.
Ecological Footprint of Nations: Link opens new browser window. Article on the relative ecological impact of nations. Start with the Introduction. If you're still interested, read Ranking the Ecological Impact of Nations.