COURSE SYLLABUS

Catalog Description:  Theoretical and applied concepts of public involvement in both public and private sectors of natural resource management; historical and legal mandates, government agency responsibilities, applied methods and techniques, case studies, and practical experience. Three lec and three hrs of lab a wk; field trip may be reqd. (Spring only)

Course Goal and Learning Objectives 

This course is designed to introduce more advanced students in the academic fields of natural and social sciences to the role that public involvement plays in a variety of decision-making process affecting the environment and more specifically how to use practical techniques to design and implement public involvement programs. The course will investigate ways in which thinking about public involvement in natural resource management and local land use planning has evolved as well as how democratic societies have applied public involvement at the local, state, regional and federal scales. Although the legal and regulatory context in which many public agencies operate are important, the major focus will be on developing the skills needed to initiate effective involvement processes and dialogue, both in your role as citizens in a democratic society and as potential future professionals responsible for implementing natural resource decision-making programs and planning processes.    

 Student Learning Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course a student will be able to:

1. Develop public involvement strategies that are designed to create sustainable involvement mechanisms over time.

2. Plan a comprehensive approach, develop agendas and materials, organize activities, guide and evaluate public involvement based upon social science theories and literature.

3.  Identify stakeholders and target audiences and design specific strategies to elicit meaningful involvement.

4.  Analyze an organization’s situation and need, identify inherent biases or barriers, and specify the role that public involvement activities will play in actual decision making.

5. Demonstrate and be able to use the skills necessary to be a neutral facilitator.

6. Explain the different purposes of public engagement (inform, consult, involve, collaborate or empower) and the inherent advantages and disadvantages of each.

7. Select the appropriate tool(s) that best fit the engagement purpose.

8. Create an atmosphere of trust and respect where the public can participate in any public involvement activity in a non-threatening environment that leads to mutual learning and respect for diversity of opinions.

Responsibilities:

To achieve the learning objectives of this course we emphasize the following responsibilities for all participants in the class:

1.  Attendance & participation in all sessions are required and will be evaluated. We view this class as a partnership in learning and everyone’s input will be valuable throughout. We expect assigned readings will be read before class and students will come prepared to discuss and critique them.

2. We will agree on common courtesy as a rule for the conduct for the class. We will treat everyone with respect and dignity. Everyone’s ideas and comments are encouraged. We will always discuss and critique people’s ideas and arguments in a civilized and constructive manner, focusing on their ideas and facts, not a person or their values and beliefs. We expect and demand the same from you.

3. We view each of you as a learning resource who brings diverse education and life experiences to the class; that when shared, your experiences and opinions make a valuable contribution to the course goals. (That’s why participation, not just attendance, is graded!)

4. Theoretical learning supplemented with practical experience will create the most long lasting education experience. Therefore, everyone will both participate in an ongoing public involvement activity as a member of the public, AND, everyone will participate in designing and conducting more than one public engagement event. Formal reflection and evaluation of these will be required.

5. We will work together as a class and a team to resolve any misunderstandings and to provide a rich and healthy environment of mutual learning.

6. It is one mark of professionalism to be able to express yourself clearly and concisely. Therefore, spelling and grammatical errors will not be tolerated. All assignments and projects must be typed, checked for grammar & spelling, and submitted with at least 1.5 line spacing in 11 or 12 point font. Handwritten papers generally will not be accepted. When meeting with the public, you will be representing the University of Idaho and thus will appear professional in conduct, dress, speech and courtesy at all times.  

Evaluation:

Detailed instructions for assignments will be handed out in class and made available on the class web page.  The following activities will constitute your grade for the semester: