Sustainability

An investigation of the intersection of human behavior, social organization, and the biotic communities which provide the conditions for human survival. The focus of the course involves theoretical models developed by social scientists to account for issues of adaptability, sustainability, and environmental degradation in relation to cultural practices and social norms of behavior. Additionally, the class will consider the methodological challenges in creating reliable knowledge of socio-ecological systems. Topics may include cultural ecology, social organization, conservation, sustainability, mode of production, mode of subsistence, stratification, indigeneity, ecosystems, pinnacle species, identity, landscape, political ecology, place vs. space, environmental racism, development and neo-totemism.

Does not count toward any biology major degree programs. Through an ecological topic, this course examines the process of science, history of science, and how science affects contemporary thought and society. The particular topics covered vary each semester.

Study of soil, forest, land, water, air, wildlife, and recreational resources; their interrelationships and modifications by humans; steps necessary to use them wisely for present and future generations.

This course studies the properties and processes of ecosystems, communities, and populations, with consideration given to the influence of humans on each level.

This course applies Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to environmental and ecological issues within the urban and rural landscapes. Computer information mapping, output design, spatial analyzes, GPS (Geographical Positioning System) applications, and remote sensing techniques are discussed, explored (hands-on), and applied to local and regional problems.

This course examines the evidence, causes, and impacts of global change. It is taught in a modified seminar format with discussion topics covering the basics of global cycles to current climate change issues. Topics include: ecological consequences of global warming, ozone depletion, terrestrial greening, ocean current changes, changing patterns of climate on ecosystem functioning, community interactions, and suit-ability of human systems.

An introduction to the biology of fishes, including evolution and phylogeny, anatomy and physiology, processes affecting growth throughout the life cycle, behavior, ecology, and the role of fishes in their environment. The course concludes with a discussion of case studies in the conservation and management of fish species.

As required for the Civic Engagement and Social Entrepreneurship minor, this course is designed to achieve a distinctive outcome within our broadly stated program goal, to “explore issues of social and political justice; business and economic opportunity; equal access to education, health care and the arts; and/or environmental conservation as well as cross-cultural understanding both within the United States and internationally.” This course will teach students a unique methodology using analytic business tools; to engage students thoroughly in service learning with actual operating civic and charitable institutions; and, to address compelling legal, management, social, business and economic issues pertaining to one of our most significant social institutions, the public charity, also known as the NPO. Counts for 30 hours towards Service Distinction.

This course presents an introduction to the chemistry of the troposphere and stratosphere. Emphasis is placed on the structure of the atmosphere, photochemical smog, global climate change and greenhouse gases, stratospheric ozone depletion, and particulate matter in the troposphere.

Environmental Chemistry will cover the topics of air, water and soil chemistry. This will include ozone depletion, air pollution, global warming, energy use, elementary toxicology and risk assessment, groundwater contamination, modern methods for treatment of wastewater and sewage, soil characteristics, environmental remediation and green chemistry.

This course provides students with an introduction to environmental issues through an economic lens. The rational, economic analytical approach is introduced and the basic principles of economics are applied to issues such as energy markets, air and water pollution, sustainability, population and environment, waste and recycling, and dealing with climate change.

This course combines theoretical analysis with discussions on specific environmental policies as applied to water, air pollution, energy, climate change and human health issues. Topics to be covered are the microeconomic analysis of environmental regulation, the problem of social cost, policy instrument choice, enforcement of regulations, and estimating benefits of environmental improvements.

From Theocritus to Mary Oliver, writers have depicted nature in drastically different ways, revealing our environment to be idyllic, evil, divine, replete, unfinished, illusory and/or endangered. From pastoral poetry to dystopian novels, authors of environmental literature have recorded, revealed and shaped our attitude towards the natural world. Students will employ eco-criticism to analyze literary works by writers, such as William Wordsworth, Henry David Thoreau, Richard Jefferies, Willa Cather, Robert Frost, Rachel Carson, Aldo Leopold, Gary Snyder and Barry Lopez. Pertinent narrative and documentary films may also be addressed. Although a literature course, interdisciplinary theories and research will be encouraged.

This course offers an introduction to environmental issues and challenges as seen from the perspective of the arts and humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Through study of a variety of topics and problems related to the natural environment and our relationship to it, students will gain an interdisciplinary overview of the field that will serve as a foundation for further coursework in the field. Examples of topics may include natural resources, ecology, and sustainability; environmental politics, economics and law; global climate change; and social, literary, and cultural influences on environmental thought. Formerly IDST 220, equivalent.

This course begins with a broad overview of certain physical aspects of geography (world landforms, climates, and ecosystems) and of map and globe skills. The course then moves to an examination of the developed regions of the world (Europe, North America, Russia, the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union, and Japan) as well as Latin America. Attention will be given to customs of the people, urban and rural patterns of settlement, regional economic activities, and political units. Throughout the course relationships between people and their environment will be stressed. A variety of visual aids will be used. Recommended for teacher education students.

The purpose of this course is to critically analyze our urbanizing world. What has driven humans to settle in increasingly higher densities? How do people choose where to live, and what constrains those choices? What are the social, economic, and environmental implications of urbanization? To answer these and other questions, this course focuses on the historical process of urbanization, 20th and 21st century urbanization in the United States, and various other case studies in urban geography and sociology.

This course explores the dialectic relationship between human and nonhuman worlds from pre-Columbian times to the present, illuminating how these ever changing interactions shaped American History. We will investigate geological processes, American Indian cultures, disease, unequal trading relations, capitalist markets, emerging technologies, war, pollution, the rise of ecological knowledge, environmental laws, and most importantly, ideas about nature. No stone will be left unturned as we look beyond human society to better understand our shared past. At the end of the course, students will recognize how all of history is environmental history, for nature plays a role in all past actions.

This interdisciplinary, environmental history course explores changes in human societies over time, paying particular attention to the role of nonhumans in shaping these changes and investigating how shifting human societies then worked back upon the environment. The goal is to reveal how the mutually constitutive and evolving relationship between humans and nature shaped the global past. Of course, to fully understand these interactions, we must supplement our investigations of traditional written sources with scientific knowledge regarding non-human behavior. We will do so while exploring the major events, forces, and ideas that define human history.

This course examines environmental leadership in a variety of contexts over the past two centuries, with an emphasis on North America. Students will be introduced to a broad spectrum of leaders who have been influential in charting a sustainable relationship between human beings and the biosphere. A variety of forms of environmental leadership are explored, along with the increasingly evident connections between the general construct of “leadership” and environmental concern.

The course will analyze the major philosophical issues in the field of environmental ethics. Some of the topics will include the historical roots of the environmental crisis, a land ethic, intrinsic natural value, biocentrism, and biodiversity, the role of science and the scientific method, the aesthetic value of nature, animal rights, strong and weak anthropocentrism, Ecotheology, Deep Ecology, Ecofeminism, environmental economics, Buddhist and Taoist attitudes toward nature. In addition to Western metaphysical and ethical systems, non-Western cultures and primal societies will be considered. The course will read and discuss major articles and essays in the literature of the environmental movement.

Designed for non-science majors. Topics include Energy Principles, Mechanical energy, Electromagnetic energy, Thermodynamic energy, Nuclear energy, Solar energy and other energy Systems. Energy conservation, environmental issues and societal impact issues will be discussed.

This course investigates psychological principles important to environmental, architectural, and product design issues. An overview will be provided on how the science of psychology informs our understanding of how people use structures and products in their lives. The course examines the historical and creative influence of noted architects and designers, concentrating on how they dealt with human-environment issues, such as: crowding, privacy, efficiency, and socialization. The laboratory provides an opportunity for students to identify, analyze, and solve design problems using a studio and fieldwork approach. The course culminates with the preparation and delivery of a major presentation and term paper illustrating a creative solution to a design problem.

A survey of social problems affecting contemporary societies, such as technological displacement, population growth, environmental abuse, work and alienation, economic and political inequality.