ENVIRON 140
Foundations of Environmental Policy and Regulation
Description: Lecture, three hours. Introduction to environmental policy and regulation in U.S. Provides basic knowledge and skills needed to work as professional environmental problem solver. Exploration of environmental harms that are subject to regulation, role of science in informing policy and regulation, evolution of environmental regulation, different types of regulatory instruments, regulatory process, and alternative approaches to environmental decision making. Includes California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Proposition 65, California's long-standing leadership role in air pollution control, and state's pioneering efforts in regulating greenhouse gas emissions. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 4.0
Units: 4.0
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2019 - Love the professor. Boyd really makes this class- he is so enthusiastic about what he teaches and it's obvious. He really tries to teach people rather than focus on grades. He is super funny and I love his anecdotes. As for the class- GO TO CLASS. That's probably the biggest difference between having a good grade and a bad grade. And when you're at class, PAY ATTENTION. Basically everything on his exams are based directly from lecture. The readings are incredibly helpful and really get down to the nitty gritty of the legislation. I would say if you are really really short on time you can skip some but they are actually all enjoyable reads that I would highly recommend reading even just for fun. The readings really cement the ideas and clear up on some things.
Fall 2019 - Love the professor. Boyd really makes this class- he is so enthusiastic about what he teaches and it's obvious. He really tries to teach people rather than focus on grades. He is super funny and I love his anecdotes. As for the class- GO TO CLASS. That's probably the biggest difference between having a good grade and a bad grade. And when you're at class, PAY ATTENTION. Basically everything on his exams are based directly from lecture. The readings are incredibly helpful and really get down to the nitty gritty of the legislation. I would say if you are really really short on time you can skip some but they are actually all enjoyable reads that I would highly recommend reading even just for fun. The readings really cement the ideas and clear up on some things.
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2024 - Prof. Garrison was truly a wonderful, engaging, and caring professor. Although the grading for this class is tough (based on two test-style take home assignments, one midterm, and a final), he gave many opportunities to earn back points on assignments to get them up to ~ a B+ average for the class if it happened to be lower. The first take home assignment was reading a statute (in our case, sections of the CAA, but I’m not sure if he would vary it year to year) and answering questions which, truthfully, were only difficult because the TAs were looking for VERY specific answers. The original average for the assignment was around 13.5/19, but he gave us opportunities to get points back on an easy assignment. The second take home assignment was the same style (reading a statute and answering questions) and the average was much higher as we were able to work in a group. The midterm was multiple choice and short answer, and the final had the same structure. Questions are tricky, but go slowly and carefully and you will do just fine. One thing I cannot stress enough is to GO TO CLASS. Garrison does not record it - except for the week of Thanksgiving Break - and his lectures are actually fun and engaging. Try to sit in the front if you can, because a lot of his lectures rely on questions from students and will help you get a deeper understanding of the material. I really appreciated his anecdotes from his own life experience that directly connected to the material. Overall such a good class. I know it’s a requirement for Enviro Majors, but it is so worth it.
Fall 2024 - Prof. Garrison was truly a wonderful, engaging, and caring professor. Although the grading for this class is tough (based on two test-style take home assignments, one midterm, and a final), he gave many opportunities to earn back points on assignments to get them up to ~ a B+ average for the class if it happened to be lower. The first take home assignment was reading a statute (in our case, sections of the CAA, but I’m not sure if he would vary it year to year) and answering questions which, truthfully, were only difficult because the TAs were looking for VERY specific answers. The original average for the assignment was around 13.5/19, but he gave us opportunities to get points back on an easy assignment. The second take home assignment was the same style (reading a statute and answering questions) and the average was much higher as we were able to work in a group. The midterm was multiple choice and short answer, and the final had the same structure. Questions are tricky, but go slowly and carefully and you will do just fine. One thing I cannot stress enough is to GO TO CLASS. Garrison does not record it - except for the week of Thanksgiving Break - and his lectures are actually fun and engaging. Try to sit in the front if you can, because a lot of his lectures rely on questions from students and will help you get a deeper understanding of the material. I really appreciated his anecdotes from his own life experience that directly connected to the material. Overall such a good class. I know it’s a requirement for Enviro Majors, but it is so worth it.
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