PrintGEOG 432 Energy Policy
This syllabus is divided into several sections. You can read it sequentially by scrolling down the length of the document or by clicking on any of the links below to “jump” to specific sections.
It is essential that you read this entire document, the Resources tab, and the Orientation Module in Canvas. Together these serve as our course "contract."
- Instructor
- Course Overview
- Course Goals and Outcomes
- Required Course Materials
- Assignments and Grading
- Course Schedule
- Course Policies
Instructor
Brandi Robinson
Adjunct Instructor, John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering
Dutton e-Education Institute, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
Office Hours: online, by appointment
Contacting your instructor: Rather than emailing questions directly to me, I encourage you post any question which you would raise your hand to ask in a traditional class to the applicable Canvas discussion forum. Asking questions on our forums can benefit all students in that everyone will see the discussions and answers regarding class questions.
For questions which are more personal in nature, please contact me through the course email system in Canvas.
NOTE: I will read and respond to email and discussion forums at least once per day during the work week (Monday through Friday) and as time permits on weekends (though please don't depend on this). All assignment due dates/deadlines are in Eastern US time.
Course Overview
Description: Government, corporate, and public perspectives on the analysis, formulation, implementation, and impacts of energy-related policies, regulations, and initiatives.
Prerequisites: This course has three prerequisites:
- EBF 200 (or ENNEC 100)
- EGEE 120
and - PL SC 490
If you choose to take this class without the necessary prerequisite coursework, you do so at your own risk and with the express understanding that this course is designed for students who have mastered the material in the above-mentioned courses.
As concerns for a secure, stable, and clean energy future grow, so does the need for individuals who can develop, assess, and implement effective energy policies and practices. GEOG 432 will provide you with an in-depth exploration of energy policy development, implementation, and assessment at multiple geographic scales. The course utilizes contemporary real-world problems and actions to provide you with context for the drivers, frameworks, and assumptions of energy policy. Course lecture materials, readings (scholarly articles, text chapters, etc.), and learning activities are all presented in an online learning environment.
The course is structured to provide you with the expertise necessary to identify energy policy needs, craft policy alternatives, and evaluate energy policy. Emphasis on tailoring energy policy to meet not just economic goals but also environmental and social goals creates a global perspective from which you will learn to approach energy policy challenges. You will undertake a course-long project in which you propose specific actions that a an organization can take to position themselves to utilize existing and potential funds made available to accomplish energy and climate goals. This project will help you develop the analytical and communication skills identified as priorities for the ESP program while learning about industry-specific concepts which are of particular interest to you personally or professionally.
What I Expect of You
On average, most students spend eight to ten hours per week working on course assignments. Your workload may be more or less depending on your prior experience with the energy topics we're covering and your familiarity with online classes.
I have worked hard to make this the most effective and convenient educational experience possible. Similarly to a face-to-face college class, how much and how well you learn is ultimately up to you. You will succeed if you are diligent about keeping up with the class schedule, and if you take advantage of opportunities to engage both your classmates and instructor throughout the course.
What You Can Expect of Me
We are using an online learning environment for this course, and as such, my "office" is also online*. Please feel free to contact me directly with questions and I will respond to you within 24 hours. If it is something that is more easily addressed through an online meeting, please get in touch with me and we can arrange a time talk on the phone or video chat (FaceTime, Google Hangout, or Skype) at a time that works well for both of us. If I am going to be out of touch for a while (traveling, illness, etc.), I will let you know ahead of time.
Because each lesson's activities are integral to the development of your project, it's critical you complete them as scheduled. You can expect me to grade and provide you feedback no later than one week after an assignment has been submitted unless otherwise noted (your projects take me a bit longer). Once you get feedback from me, please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions or concerns. I want us to work together throughout the semester to build your understanding of the course content.
Course Goals and Outcomes
At the successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- identify energy policy knowledge gaps and needs at various governmental and entity levels;
- examine existing or proposed energy policy critically; expose errors, find unintended consequences of implementation, offer suggestions for improvement;
- identify the drivers of energy policy from political, environmental, and economic perspectives; and explain how these drivers can exist either in conflict or complement of each other;
- articulate the goals and outcomes of energy policy to diverse audiences, translating the often cumbersome language of legislation into a more accessible format for stakeholders.
Specific learning objectives for each lesson and project are detailed within each lesson.
Required Course Materials
There is no textbook for you to buy for this course. All necessary materials are presented online through our Course website and in Canvas. In order to access all materials, you need to have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password (used to access the online course resources). If you have any questions about obtaining or activating your Penn State Access Account, please contact the Helpdesk.
Assignments and Grading
Lessons open on Mondays and assignments are due the following Sundays at 11:59 pm, Eastern time. The course runs in Eastern time, regardless of your personal time zone. You have an entire week to complete the readings and other associated activities. Anything not submitted by the assigned due date will be considered late.
This course will rely upon a variety of methods to assess and evaluate student learning:
Lesson Activities - 60% (5% each)
Each of the 12 lessons has a corresponding Lesson Activity to assess your comprehension of that week's material. The lesson activities are divided into three types of assessments which will test not only your mastery of content, but your ability to demonstrate that mastery in a variety of media. These may vary somewhat.
- Lessons 1-4: automated quizzes
- Lessons 5-8: writing assignments
- Lessons 9-12: discussions
Many of these lesson activities are designed to keep you thinking about your project topic throughout the semester while integrating the core concepts of the class into the topic you're researching, helping you build your research paper along the way.
Research Project - 40%
The Research Project will offer you the opportunity to analyze how federal legislation can be applied at a local level by working as "consultants" for a Delaware non-proft. Details will be provided in Lesson 3.
The various pieces of the project together constitute 40% of your course grade. See Canvas for assignment details and grading.
Grading Notes
- Each assignment in this course utilizes grading rubrics. Rubrics are a helpful tool for both instructor and student to carefully and objectively understand the formulation of an assessment's grade when the answers cannot simply be automatically scored as 'right' or 'wrong.' Rubrics help ensure a level playing field across criteria and students.
- Grades and feedback will be posted in Canvas with each assignment so that you can track your progress as the course goes along. If at any point you have questions or concerns about your grade, please contact your instructor.
- Grades will not round up and there are no curves!
- No extra credit opportunities exist. Please put your best efforts into the work assigned.
- ESP Majors - this course requires a grade of C or better to count toward the major!
I will use Canvas Grades to keep track of your grades. You can see your grades by clicking on the Grades link in Canvas. Letter grades will be based on the following percentages (percentages refer to the proportion of all possible points earned by the student):
| Grade | Percent |
|---|---|
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A
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92.5–100%
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A-
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89.5–92.4%
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B+
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86.5–89.4%
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B
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82.5–86.4%
|
|
B-
|
79.5–82.4%
|
|
C+
|
76.5–79.4%
|
|
C
|
69.5–76.4%
|
|
D
|
60–69.4%
|
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F
|
<60%
|
Note:
Please note that some courses in the ESP program require students to maintain a web presence, such as the creation of a webpage, blog postings, video sharing, and other Internet participation. ESP students may be required to participate in online activities that are widely accessible to all, including others outside of Penn State.
GEOG 432 Course Schedule
Printable Schedule
There are two places for you to access our course schedule for this semester.
- On this page. The schedule below gives you a general week-by-week schedule.
- Via the Calendar in Canvas. The Calendar in Canvas will have specific lesson time frames and assignment due dates.
If you notice any inconsistencies or conflicting information, let me know and I'll clarify.
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Course Policies
Late Work
All course-related assignments must be completed by the assigned due date and time. Because each lesson builds a foundation for the next, it is imperative that you complete the assignments on time to prepare yourself for the project.
One of the many advantages to taking courses online is that it affords you a certain degree of flexibility in when and how you complete your assignments. However, taking courses online does not mean that you've got the autonomy to do and submit the work when you wish.
In order for us to move through the material as a group, it's important that each of you complete your assignments on time. Late is defined as submitted anytime after the published deadline. This means if you procrastinate and turn it in at 12:01 am after an 11:59 pm deadline, it's late.
Late penalty schedule - in order to provide all of you with a fair, uniform way of handling the inevitable late submissions that will occur, I will deduct 10% for every 24 hour period that passes before submission occurs (1 minute through 24 hours late = 10%; 24 hours, 1 minute through 48 hours late = 20%, etc.).
Don't tempt fate - technology is far from perfect, and generally, it only fails when you really need it to work. If you play with fire and wait until the very last second to submit your work in Canvas, you may get burned. This is an easy enough problem for us to avoid - you have a full week to complete your work, so don't wait until that last second to turn it in. Late is late.
Life happens. If you have a legitimate situation or emergency arise during the semester that hinders your ability to complete work on time, you should contact me then, not long after the fact. It takes but a minute to call or email and give me a courtesy heads up. I'm much more willing to work with you if I know what's going on; remember - I'm a person (and a mom, and a wife, etc.), and sometimes life happens to me, too! Falling off the radar for 3 weeks and then asking forgiveness isn't the way to go.
Why am I so picky?!? Good question. Because I believe that college isn't just about giving you a content-specific education, it's about teaching you to be a productive member of society...and in the real world, deadlines matter.
Academic Integrity
I cannot overemphasize the importance of academic integrity. DO NOT copy and paste from unreferenced sources. Without exception: if you use a verbatim quote from any source, as part of any submitted assignment, the quote must be clearly noted with quotation marks and properly cited in text and with a Works Cited.
I take violations of academic integrity very seriously in this class, and I will file an Academic Integrity Violation form with the College if you are found to be cheating in any way - whether that's sharing answers with a classmate, copying and pasting text and passing it off as your own, submitting work previously used in this or another class, or anything else. I do not tolerate cheating of any kind. As a Penn State student, it is your responsibility to understand the University's academic integrity policies.
It is important (not only in this course, but in all courses you take as well as professional documents you produce) to employ proper citation methods for the sources you utilize. Failure to do so reduces the credibility of your work at best and can lead to suspicion of intentional plagiarism at worst. We don't want either of those things to happen!
Resources for Citations and Reference Styles
This course requires you to use the APA citation style. You'll learn more about this in the early part of the class.
See our Citation and Reference Style page accessible through the Resources menu.
If you are interested, Penn State has many useful resources about citations if you need some help. You can also check out Styles for Students - an excellent, in-depth tutorial of how and why we cite things. And, as always, just contact your instructor if you have any questions.
Deferred Grades
If you are prevented from completing this course within the prescribed amount of time, it is possible to have the grade deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. To seek a deferred grade, you must submit a written request (by email or U.S. post) to your instructor describing the reason(s) for the request. It is up to your instructor to determine whether or not you will be permitted to receive a deferred grade. If, for any reason, the course work for the deferred grade is not complete by the assigned time, a grade of "F" will be automatically entered on your transcript.
Netiquette
The term "Netiquette" refers to the etiquette guidelines for electronic communications, such as email and bulletin board postings. Netiquette covers not only rules to maintain civility in discussions, but also special guidelines unique to the electronic nature of forum messages. Please review Virginia Shea's "The Core Rules of Netiquette" for general guidelines that should be followed when communicating in this course.
Technical Requirements
For this course, we recommend the minimum technical requirements outlined on the World Campus Technical Requirements page, including the requirements listed for same-time, synchronous communications. If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the IT Service Desk (for World Campus students) or Penn State's IT Help Portal (for students at all other campus locations).
Internet Connection
Access to a reliable Internet connection is required for this course. A problem with your Internet access may not be used as an excuse for late, missing, or incomplete coursework. If you experience problems with your Internet connection while working on this course, it is your responsibility to find an alternative Internet access point, such as a public library or Wi-Fi ® hotspot.
Mixed Content
This site is considered a secure web site, which means that your connection is encrypted. We do, however, link to content that isn't necessarily encrypted. This is called mixed content. By default, mixed content is blocked in Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome. This may result in a blank page or a message saying that only secure content is displayed. Follow the directions on our Technical Requirements page to view the mixed content.
Equations
This course must be viewed using the latest version of Firefox, Safari, Chrome, or Edge. Internet Explorer is not supported. If you use any other browser, or if you are not using the latest version of your browser, some pages containing equations may not render properly. In addition, javascript must be enabled for equations to render properly. If you have any issues with equations not rendering properly, please update your browser to the latest version or try using a different browser. If you need additional technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the HelpDesk (for World Campus students) or the IT Service Desk (for students at all other campus locations).Penn State E-mail Accounts
All official communications from Penn State are sent to students' Penn State e-mail accounts. Be sure to check your Penn State account regularly, or forward your Penn State e-mail to your preferred e-mail account, so you don't miss any important information.
Academic Integrity
This course follows the procedures for academic integrity of Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. Penn State defines academic integrity as "the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner." Academic integrity includes "a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation, or deception." In particular, the University defines plagiarism as "the fabrication of information and citations; submitting others' work from professional journals, books, articles, and papers; submission of other students' papers, lab results or project reports and representing the work as one's own." Penalties for violations of academic integrity may include course failure. To learn more, see Penn State's Academic Integrity Training for Students.
Course Copyright
All course materials students receive or to which students have online access are protected by copyright laws. Students may use course materials and make copies for their own use as needed, but unauthorized distribution and/or uploading of materials without the instructor’s express permission is strictly prohibited. University Policy AD 40, the University Policy Recording of Classroom Activities and Note Taking Services addresses this issue. Students who engage in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials may be held in violation of the University’s Code of Conduct, and/or liable under Federal and State laws.
For example, uploading completed labs, homework, or other assignments to any study site constitutes a violation of this policy.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Office for Student Disability Resources website provides contact information for Campus Disability Coordinators at every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the Office for Student Disability Resources website.
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled. You will participate in an intake interview and provide documentation. See documentation guidelines at Applying for Services from Student Disability Resources. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Change in Normal Campus Operations
In case of weather-related delays or other emergency campus disruptions or closures at the University, this online course will proceed as planned. Your instructor will inform you if there are any extenuating circumstances regarding content or activity due dates in the course due to these delays or closures. If you are affected by a weather-related emergency, please contact your instructor at the earliest possible time to make special arrangements.
Reporting Educational Equity Concerns
Penn State takes great pride in fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated (Policy AD29 Statement on Intolerance) and can be reported through Educational Equity via Report Bias.
Counseling and Psychological Services
Many students at Penn State face personal challenges or have psychological needs that may interfere with their academic progress, social development, or emotional well-being. The university offers a variety of confidential services to help you through difficult times, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, consultations, online chats, and mental health screenings. These services are provided by staff who welcome all students and embrace a philosophy respectful of clients’ cultural and religious backgrounds, and sensitive to differences in race, ability, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Services include the following:
Counseling and Psychological Services at University Park (CAPS): 814-863-0395
Counseling Services at Commonwealth Campuses
Penn State Crisis Line (24 hours/7 days/week): 877-229-6400
Crisis Text Line (24 hours/7 days/week): Text LIONS to 741741
Military Personnel
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or spouses with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, disabilities, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
Connect Online with Caution
Penn State is committed to educational access for all. Our students come from all walks of life and have diverse life experiences. As with any other online community, the lack of physical interaction in an online classroom can create a false sense of anonymity and security. While one can make new friends online, digital relationships can also be misleading. Good judgment and decision-making are critical when choosing to disclose personal information to others whom you do not know.
Deferred Grades
If you are prevented from completing this course within the prescribed amount of time for reasons that are beyond your control, it is possible to have the grade deferred with the concurrence of the instructor, following Penn State Deferred Grade Policy 48-40. To seek a deferred grade, you must submit a written request (by e-mail or U.S. post) to the instructor describing the reason(s) for the request. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested before the beginning of the final examination period. It is up to the instructor to determine whether or not you will be permitted to receive a deferred grade. If permission is granted, you will work with the instructor to establish a communication plan and a clear schedule for completion within policy. If, for any reason, the coursework for the deferred grade is not complete by the assigned time, a grade of "F" will be automatically entered on your transcript.
Participation in Peer-to-Peer Activities
This course follows the Energy and Sustainability Policy programs' Constructive Participation in ESP Peer-Peer Activities policy for student participation in peer-to-peer activities in ESP courses, such as group discussions, team projects and peer reviews of another’s work. In all peer-to-peer learning activities, students are expected to participate constructively with others in the practice and development of effective communication skills. This means NO personal attacks, NO name-calling, and NO threatening language of any kind. Consequences may include losing the opportunity to participate in (and earn credit for) all remaining peer-to-peer assignments for the duration of the course. Any instance of threatening language will be reported to the Penn State Office of Student Conduct.
Attendance
This course will be conducted entirely online. There will be no set class meeting times, but you will be required to complete weekly assignments with specific due dates. Many of the assignments are open for multiple days, so it is your responsibility to complete the work early if you plan to travel or participate in national holidays, religious observances or University approved activities.
If you need to request an exception due to a personal or medical emergency, contact the instructor directly as soon as you are able. Such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Diversity, Inclusion, and Respect
Penn State is “committed to creating an educational environment which is free from intolerance directed toward individuals or groups and strives to create and maintain an environment that fosters respect for others” as stated in Policy AD29 Statement on Intolerance. All members of this class are expected to contribute to a respectful, welcoming, and inclusive environment and to interact with civility.
For additional information, see:
- Penn State Affirmative Action Nondiscrimination Statement
- Policy AD 85 Sexual and/or Gender-Based Harassment and Misconduct, Title IX
- Penn State Values
- Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Penn State
- Assessment of the Living, Learning, and Working Environment (ALLWE) in EMS| Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
Mandated Reporting Statement
Penn State’s policies require me, as a faculty member, to share information about incidents of sex-based discrimination and harassment (discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and retaliation) with Penn State’s Title IX coordinator or deputy coordinators, regardless of whether the incidents are stated to me in person or shared by students as part of their coursework. For more information regarding the University's policies and procedures for responding to reports of sexual or gender-based harassment or misconduct, please visit Penn State's Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention & Response website.
Additionally, I am required to make a report on any reasonable suspicion of child abuse in accordance with the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law.
Disclaimer
Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus can be changed at any time, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. All changes will be communicated to you via e-mail, course announcement and/or course discussion forum.