Canadian Studies at Michigan State University

Announcements

Dear Colleagues,

I am offering a Fall Semester course, "Canada-US Comparative Natural Resource Policy." The course will be two credits; we will meet once per week at an arranged time that fits into student schedules. To enroll in the course, Ms. Juli Kerr (kerrju@msu.edu) will have to provide students with an override. This will be taught under FOR 890-Special Problems (Section 006).

Canada and the US have many differences in their natural resource policies. For example, forest (timber) resources are usually controlled by the provinces, and long-term concessions are used for resource extraction--a common model used around the world. In the US, the private sector and the state and federal governments control timber resources; extraction is typically based on a short-term contract system. This is one of many different approaches to policy in these countries. This course will examine the evolution of natural resource policies and the implications of policy choices.

Course Description:
Natural resources policies in Canada and the U.S. have evolved in the context of scientific, environmental, social, and legal-institutional factors. Policy similarities and differences for forests, wildlife, parks, and other natural resources will be explored through readings, videos and discussions. Historical evolution of policies and case studies of contemporary policy issues will be examined.

Readings:
Readings will be selected from a variety of sources, including books, journals and government publications. We will begin the course with park policy, focusing on national-provincial polices in Canada and federal-state policies in the US. Most provincial and state readings will deal with Ontario and Michigan policies.

Student Evaluation:
Students will be evaluated on three elements, weekly participation in discussions of readings (30%), a presentation on one or more policies related to natural resource institutions (35%), and a paper providing more depth regarding their presentation topic (35%).

Please share this announcement with graduate students who may be interested in this course. If you or they have any questions, please contact me.

Thanks,
Larry Leefers

Dr. Larry Leefers
Department of Forestry, Michigan State University
126 Natural Resources Building
East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

Email: Leefers@msu.edu
MSU Office Phone: 517/355-0097 (Voice mail)
Cell: 517/333-8850 (Verizon)

Use Venture - MSU's searchable online research database for undergrads

Venture is a database of undergraduate research, scholarship and creative opportunities available to MSU undergraduate students. In nearly every college across campus, academically talented students are performing research and undertaking creative activities, either independently with a faculty mentor or in faculty-led teams. These opportunities represent one way for students to become more engaged in their education. Venture connects students to these opportunities and provides an avenue for student engagement in original investigation, experimentation and creative activity across many fields of study ranging from art to zoology.

For more details about Venture or to post your projects:
www.venture.msu.edu

Director of Canadian Studies Center Position Announcement

Description

Michigan State University (MSU), the nation's premier land-grant university, invites applications for the position of Director of MSU's Canadian Studies Center (CSC). The appointment of the Director will be 50% in CSC; the balance of the appointment will be in an appropriate academic department.
The appointment is on an annual (12-month) basis for a five-year period, with renewal possible.

Responsibilities

The Director of the CSC reports directly to the Dean of International Studies and Programs and is responsible for providing intellectual and programmatic leadership to advance and promote excellence in MSU's diverse research, teaching, and outreach activities relating to Canada. The position requires policy development and implementation capabilities as well as the ability to work collaboratively with faculty and administrators of academic units across the university and with other area studies and international thematic centers to promote international research, education, outreach and service programs.
The duties of the Director of CSC include supervising the center's programs and staff; developing and sustaining strategic partnerships with higher education and other institutions in Canada to advance collaborative research, teaching, and engagement activities that positively impact critical local, national, and global issues; facilitating and catalyzing collaborative, multi-disciplinary and cross-college faculty research and proposals for external funding of such research; developing grant proposals and securing external funds for center programs; overseeing center undergraduate and graduate specializations and majors; and facilitating graduate student proposals for external research funding. The director is expected to foster collaborative relationships with and among diverse constituent and stakeholder groups such as faculty, administrators, students, academic departments and colleges, K-12 institutions, local Canadian communities, and colleagues and institutions in the United States, and Canada.
_________

Fredric C. Bohm
Acting Director, Canadian Studies Center
517-353-9349 bohm@msu.edu

Native People of the Great Lakes Region
TEACH Great Lakes has released a new module in the history & culture section: Native People of the Great Lakes Region For more information, click here.

CINSA Conference:
The Canadian Indigenous/Native Studies Association (CINSA) Conference 2008 was hosted by the Community Economic and Social Development (CESD) department of Algoma University College (Algoma University College, Sault Ste. Marie) on June 18 to 20, 2008.

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Mission statement:

To educate and raise awareness of MSU students and faculty to the importance of the many faceted U.S. – Canada relationship
To provide support to MSU students and faculty in education and research projects related to Canada
Liaison for Michigan State University, MSU students and faculty with the Canadian government, Canadian higher education and Canadian public and private sectors for the development and enhancement and implementation of U.S – Canada public policy, cooperative educational linkages and research

The Canadian Studies Center provides teaching, research and outreach support to those interested in the many relationships between Canada and the United States, is derived from the university's land-grant ethic. Areas of study include anthropology, American studies, business, economics, English, fisheries and wildlife, food science, geography, history, labor and industrial relations, resource development, and social sciences as well as teacher education.
The Canadian Studies Center is among the area studies programs directed by Jeffrey R. Riedinger, Dean of International Studies and Programs.

More information about the center is located in the about us section.