Semester: Fall 2009 WMAN 100 THE TRADITION OF HUNTING Format: Pre-requisites: Lecture, 3 credits; meets GEC requirements for Objective 4: Issues of Contemporary Society and Objective 7: American Culture None; open to all university students Instructors: Dr. John Edwards, 311-A Percival Hall, 293-3796, jedwards@wvu.edu Dr. James Anderson, 312-A Percival Hall, 293-3825, wetland@wvu.edu Webpage for information: www.forestry.caf.wvu.edu/janderson/hunting_home.html Schedule: Location: Office Hours: Monday/Wednesday/Friday 11-11:50 AM Room 113 Mineral Resources Building, Evansdale Campus MW 1:00-2:00 and by appointment for Dr. Edwards MWF 9:00-10:00 am and by appointment for Dr. Anderson Course Objective: The objective of this course is to introduce students to the cultural and spiritual role of hunting in society; use of hunting as a wildlife management tool; and its economic value in wildlife conservation programs. Contemporary issues related to gun control, antihunting, hunter ethics, and animal rights are discussed. Expected Learning Outcomes: After successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Describe the cultural and spiritual role of hunting in society from both a historical and contemporary perspective. 2. Discuss modern firearms and issues related to the gun control controversy. 3. Describe the role of harvest management as a tool in managing wildlife populations. 4. Discuss the economics of wildlife management and the role hunters dollars play in state wildlife conservation programs. 5. Describe the service hunting provides to society and the consequences of an overabundance of wildlife. 6. Describe hunter ethics and animal rights issues and integrate these with respect to the antihunting movement.
7. Communicate meaningful firsthand experience in some aspect of hunting/harvest management/firearm use and safety. Required Text: None; Supplemental readings will be assigned via PDF copies. Student Evaluation: 2 lecture exams 100 points each 200 (42%) 2 firsthand experiences 50 points each 100 (21%) 3 guest speaker assignments 20 points each 60 (13%) 5-minute presentation in class 15 (3%) Final examination 100 (21%) TOTAL 475 Grade Assignment: A = 90-100 B = 80-89 C = 70-79 D = 60-69 F = <60 Grading Policy: No make-up exams except by prior arrangement with the instructor. All make-ups will be taken during the last week of class. Students may only appeal exam grading on the day the exams are returned. Late assignment = no assignment. Reading Assignments: Each student is expected to read and be responsible for all assigned readings. Students are expected to read the assigned materials before these topics are covered in class. It would be useful to take notes on each of these readings to study from you will be asked material from these readings on exams. Writing Assignments: Each student is required to complete 3 writing assignments during the semester. Writing assignments will focus on topics presented by guest speakers. Write-ups should be no longer than one typed page and consist of a paragraph describing the major topic(s) and points presented by the speaker and a second paragraph discussing how your opinion is similar or dissimilar to that of the speaker. Where applicable the student will integrate materials and discussions from class to support their narrative. Grading will be based on 10 points for each required paragraph described above. Write-ups must follow the format below: WMAN 100 Writing Assignment Student name: Guest lecturer: Date of lecture: Date: (text) 2
ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE TURNED IN WITHIN ONE WEEK FOLLOWING THE DATE OF THE GUEST LECTURE. LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. ALL WRITE UPS MUST BE TURNED IN BY NOVEMBER 20, 2009. Firsthand Experiences Assignment: You must be involved in 2 different activities (50 points each) to receive your 100 points for the firsthand experience portion of the grade for The Tradition of Hunting course. Each activity should last at least 3 to 5 hours and be a great educational experience. To receive full credit (50 points) for each firsthand experience you will be required to turn in a one-page essay describing your experience; what you did (5 points), why you chose this activity (10 points), whether your experience was positive or negative (10 points), and how it influenced your view of hunters/hunting or related topic (25 points). Where applicable the student will integrate materials and discussions from class to support their narrative. All firsthand experience writeups are due by December 2, 2009. Late assignments will not be accepted. The following are potential out-of-class experiences that you can use to gain your points for your firsthand experiences. Take a novice hunting. Take an inexperienced person out on a safe and educational outdoor hunt or outdoor experience. Are you an expert bow hunter? Take an inexperienced person out bow hunting or take them to an archery range and teach them how to safely shoot a bow. Introduce someone else to what you love to do. There are numerous classmates that would love to learn how to hunt a particular critter. Explore a new hunting technique. Try something new. You can go alone or with an experienced person. If you have never gone waterfowl hunting, then go waterfowl hunting. How about muzzleloader hunting? Bear hunting with dogs? There are endless possibilities and numerous talents available in this classroom. Take a hunter safety course. Courses are available locally through the WVDNR and online in several states (e.g., Pennsylvania). Visit state agency websites for more information. Attend National Hunting and Fishing Days at Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park on September 26nd and 27rd. See http://www.wvdnr.gov/hunting/nathuntfish.shtm?ammoland for more details. Attend the Deer Butchering Demonstration to be held as part of this class in November. Numerous other possibilities exist; please see Dr. Edwards or Dr. Anderson with your ideas to see if it can be an approved activity. Class Presentation Assignment: Each student will be responsible for a 5-minute oral presentation during the last 2 class periods in December. Students will discuss one of their first-hand experiences and may share both positive and negative aspects of the experience. No write-up is required for the presentation. Students will receive 15 points for completing this assignment. 3
Class Attendance: Regular and punctual attendance at all class sessions is the responsibility of the student. Consistent with WVU guidelines, students absent from regularly scheduled examinations because of authorized University activities will have the opportunity to make-up the exam. Cell Phones: As a courtesy to your classmates and instructor, please turn off cell phones and other electronic devices before coming to class. Academic Integrity Statement: The integrity of the classes offered by any academic institution solidifies the foundation of its mission and cannot be sacrificed to expediency, ignorance, or blatant fraud. Therefore, I will enforce rigorous standards of academic integrity in all aspects and assignments of this course. For the detailed policy of West Virginia University regarding the definitions of acts considered to fall under academic dishonesty and possible ensuing sanctions, please see the Student Conduct Code at http://www.arc.wvu.edu/admissions/integrity.html. Should you have any questions about possibly improper research citations or references, or any other activity that may be interpreted as an attempt at academic dishonesty, please see me before the assignment is due to discuss the matter. Social Justice Statement: WVU is committed to social justice. We concur with that commitment and expect to maintain a positive learning environment based upon open communication, mutual respect, and non-discrimination. Our University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, color or national origin. Any suggestions as to how to further such a positive and open environment in this class will be appreciated and given serious consideration. If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in order to participate in this class, please advise us and make appropriate arrangements with Disability Services (293-6700). Changes to the Syllabus: The course syllabus is a general plan for the semester. Deviations to the class by the instructor may be necessary. Changes, if necessary, will be announced in class or lab. It is the responsibility of the student to be in attendance when changes are announced or to find out about changes from the instructor or classmates. 4
The Tradition of Hunting Lecture Schedule Fall 2009 August 24 First day of class: introductions/review syllabus/course overview/student Survey 26 Evolution of hunting/meat eating in humans 28 What is hunting? (Chapter 1 Know Hunting) 31 Why do we hunt? (Chapter 3 Know Hunting/The Hunter in My Heart) September 2 Sacred Hunt DVD 4 Spirituality of Hunting 7 Holiday 9 European vs. American Hunting Model 11 Conservation organizations and their position on hunting 14 Guest Speaker: RGS view of hunting 16 Economics of Hunting (Chapter 4 & 5 Know Hunting) 18 Guest Speaker: Politics of hunting 21 Guest Speaker: Hunting dollars and WVDNR 23 Demographics of Hunters in U.S. (Chapter 2 Know Hunting/The Same Old Sun) 25 Women in Hunting 28 Guest Speaker: Women in Hunting 30 EXAM 1 October 2 Return exam 1 5 Biological Basis for Hunting 7 Alternatives to harvest management 9 Guest Speaker: Harvest management of black bear 12 Hunting seasons: structure and objectives (Reasons for Seasons/Goodbye to Romance) 14 Overabundance/Animal damage/dvc 16 Tales of the Gun Early Guns DVD 19 Modern hunting firearms and bows 21 Gun Control 23 Guest Speaker: (NRA representative) 26 Guest Speaker: (Gun control advocate) 28 Child violence and hunting (Chapter 15 Know Hunting) 30 The truth about kids who hunt DVD 5
November 2 EXAM 2 4 Field dressing game DVD 6 Guest Speaker: Nutritional value of wild game 9 Hunters feeding the hungry 11 Return exam 2 Deer butchering lab 2-4:50 13 Animal rights organizations Deer butchering lab 2-4:50 16 Guest speaker: Animal rights 18 Guest Speaker: How animals die 20 Wounding loss and archery hunting 23 Break 25 Break 27 Break 30 TBA December 2 Hunting ethics (Chapter 6 and 14 Know Hunting) 4 The future of hunting 7 Guest speaker: Hunting heritage efforts of NRA 9 Student presentations 11 Student presentations Final Exam Thursday December 17 th 8:00-10:00 pm 6