This is one of a series of 14 instructional components of a semester-long, environmental earth science course developed for undergraduate students. The course includes lectures, discussion sessions, and individual learning carrel lessons. Presented are the study guide and script for a learning carrel lesson on conflicts of interest. The student plays the role of a politician who must decide how to vote on an ecological issue (the Alaskan oil pipeline). The slides, audio-cassette tape, and other materials necessary to this lesson are not included. (BT)