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Historic Preservation Home > Syllabi > 400 Level Courses > HISP 471SS - Sustainability & Historic Preservation

DRAFT: for most current information, visit http://preservationandsustainability.wordpress.com/

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION

SUSTAINABILITY & HISTORIC PRESERVATION
HISP 471

M. Megan McDonald
M/W/F 10:00 – 10:50am
Combs Hall #25

Description
Historic Preservation 471, Sustainability and Historic Preservation, introduces students to current trends, issues, and debates regarding sustainable development and its relation to historic preservation. In order to provide an appropriate context for the remainder of the course, the first section is devoted to a study of what is meant by the term sustainability, why it is a subject of increasing popularity, and who represents its primary proponents. The second section of the course focuses on sustainability as related to the built environment, while the third section emphasizes the role of landscapes and open space in sustainability. The fourth section of the course provides students an opportunity to integrate their increasing understanding of historic preservation’s role in sustainability with consideration of how both movements can proceed forward together for the benefit of present and future generations and the natural and cultural resources under their stewardship. Students will gain experience in communicating historic preservation’s role in sustainable development.

**NOTE: Sustainability is a rapidly transforming concept and a topic of much emerging debate. Therefore, this syllabus presents a rough outline for the course. Based on students’ interests and input, more or less time may be spent on particular aspects, and additional material introduced. For this reason, material for particular class meetings is expected to evolve over the course of the semester. Students should visit http://preservationandsustainability.wordpress.com/ for updates to the syllabus.

Course Objectives

  1. Foster a basic understanding and awareness of sustainability and the contributions of historic preservation to “green” objectives.
  2. Encourage critical analysis of methods, tools, and techniques promoted as sustainable.
  3. Acquire ability to articulate preservation’s role in sustainability efforts.
  4. Establish a basis for continuing studies regarding the intersection of sustainability and historic preservation.

Graded Assignments
1. Class discussion/participation (25% total)
This is a discussion-oriented, rather than lecture-oriented, course and will require the active participation of all students in order to create the best learning experience for all. Since it is often difficult to engage in lively conversation and take careful notes simultaneously, students will rotate the position of scribe. One student will serve as the scribe for each class session, posting notes on the class blog within 24 hours of the class meeting. (5%)

In order to participate and contribute meaningfully to class discussions, it is imperative that students read and absorb the assigned readings. Students are expected to keep a reading log and write down two (2) thoughts or questions regarding the reading, and to bring this material to each class. (10%)

Students are expected to participate in class discussions. (10%)

2.  Posts on class blog (25%)
Sustainability is a “hot” topic, and the subject of a great deal of research and investigation. In order to become familiar with staying current with writings on the subject, students are expected to find additional materials in newspapers, magazines, journals, and other credible sources. To this end, each student will pick one week in which he or she will post the additional reading material to the class blog, along with his/her personal response to the reading from 15 minutes of freewriting. Classmates are expected to respond to the postings. At the end of the semester, the instructor will ask students to select and submit what they consider their best responses. Postings must be made by 5:00 p.m. on the Sunday beginning the week for which the student is assigned. Classmates’ responses may be made through 5:00 p.m. each Thursday.

3.  Student presentations on the sustainability/preservation efforts in a municipality (25%)
Students will work in teams to investigate the particular efforts being taken in particular towns, cities, or counties in order to become experts about “real world” case studies. Each team will create a presentation and have the opportunity to lead the class for one meeting session in order to share their knowledge with their fellow students. Presentations are scheduled for weeks 10 and 11.

4.  Final Exam/Paper (25%)
            The final written assignment must be submitted by the end of the exam period on Wednesday, April 30th.

Required Texts
There are no required texts for this course. Materials will be made available online or in class.

Requirements

  1. Honor Code: All graded work is bound by the provisions of the Honor Code and all written work must be pledged, signed, and dated.
  1. Preparation & Participation: Keeping up with readings and participating in class will enrich the learning experience for you and your classmates, and will count towards a portion of your final grade, as previously noted.
  1. Attendance: Class sessions will focus on discussion. Your attendance is crucial both for your learning as well as for lively class discussion.
  1. Graded Coursework: No passing grade can be achieved in this course without completion of all graded assignments. 10% will be deducted for each day an assignment is late.

Grading Scale

A

4.00

94-100%

A-

3.70

90-93%

B+

3.30

87-89%

B

3.00

83-86%

B-

2.70

80-82%

C+

2.30

77-79%

C

2.00

73-76%

C-

1.70

70-72%

D+

1.30

67-69%

D

1.00

60-66%

F

0.00

<60%

A mid-semester report of unsatisfactory (U) will be reported if a student has a C- or below in the course at the time reports are submitted.

Instructor Information
M. Megan McDonald
Combs – Office #122
(540) 654-1371 
mmcdonal@umw.edu

Office Hours:
Mondays:         11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Tuesdays:         2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Wednesdays:    11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Thursdays:        2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Also by appointment.

Office of Disability Services
The Office of Disability Services has been designated by the University as the primary office to guide, counsel, and assist students with disabilities. If you receive services through that office and require accommodations for this class, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss your approved accommodation needs. Please bring your accommodation letter with you to the appointment. I will hold any information you share with me in strictest confidence unless you give me permission to do otherwise.

If you have not made contact with the Office of Disability Services and have accommodation needs, (note taking assistance, extended time for tests, etc.), I will be happy to refer you. The office will require appropriate documentation of disability, and may be contacted at (540) 654-1266.

CLASS SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS

I. INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABILITY

Week 1

1/14 M:   Introductions;
               Review of syllabus              

1/16 W:   A collaborative classroom: setting our initial course direction                                              

1/18 F:    Foundations of Environmental Thought and Environmentalism
                        Reading:
                        J. E. de Steiguer, The Origins of Modern Environmental Thought, pp 1-17 and             pp 202-216

Week 2 – What’s the big deal about “sustainability?”

1/21  M: Using the class blog
The Tragedy of the Commons
                        Reading:
                        Garrett Hardin, “The Tragedy of the Commons,” Science, available at                         http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/162/3859/1243

1/23 W:   Video: The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil                       

1/25  F:   Discussion: The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil
                        Reading:
                        James Howard Kunstler, The Long Emergency, pp 22-60

Week 3 – What is the preservation community saying?

1/28 M:   Sustainability and the National Trust for Historic Preservation
                        Reading:
                        Carl Elefante, “The Greenest Building is… One That is Already Built,”                         Forum Journal, available at                         http://nthp.org/green/files/Forum_Journal_Summer2007_Elifante.pdf
                        Richard Moe, “Sustainable Stewardship: Historic Preservation’s Essential Role in     Fighting Climate Change,” December 13, 2007 speech available at                        http://nthp.org/news/2007/20071213_scully.pdf

                        Additional resources:
                        National Trust Sustainability Initiative available at: http://nthp.org/green/

1/30 W:   Tentative guest speaker date

2/1 F:      TBA

II. SUSTAINABILITY AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Week 4 – Architecture and embodied energy

2/4 M

2/6 W

2/8  F

Note: Richmond’s first environmental film festival is 2/9 and 2/10. For additional information, visit http://www.thebiggestpicture.org/

Week 5 – Buildings top to bottom: from green roofs to geothermal wells

2/11 M

2/13 W

2/15  F

Week 6 – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

2/18 M

2/20 W

2/22  F

Week 7 – LEED’s future; where cities fit in

2/25 M

2/27 W

2/29 F

Week 8

3/3 M:     NO CLASS – Spring Break

3/5 W:     NO CLASS – Spring Break

3/7 F:      NO CLASS – Spring Break

Week 9 – The role of cities in the search for sustainability

3/10 M

3/12 W

3/14 F

Week 10 – What are cities actually doing?

3/17 M:   Student presentations

3/19 W:   Student presentations

3/21 F:    Student presentations

III. SUSTAINABILITY, LANDSCAPES, AND OPEN SPACE

Week 11 – Agricultural lands

3/24 M:   Student presentations

3/26 W

3/28 F   

Week 12 – Cultural landscapes and urban open space

3/31 M

4/2 W

4/4 F      

IV. SYNTHESIS

Week 13 – Is there more to sustainability than the environment?

4/7 M

4/9 W

4/11 F

Week 14 – Criticisms of sustainability and historic preservation

4/14 M

4/16 W

4/18 F

Week 15 – Course Review

4/21 M

4/23 W

4/25  F:  

4/30 W: Final Paper/Exam (8:30 – 11:00am)