Consideration of basic ecological principles and human influences on ecosystems, emphasizing major environmental problems. This course can also count toward the global studies program.

An exploration of literature written about animals and from animal points of view. Topics will include animal consciousness, animal rights, anthropomorphism, anthropocentrism, environmental history, and the human interaction with animals over time as companion species, totems, rivals, and food sources. The course includes excursions, visits, and research with community partners who work with animals.

Nature's Place in U.S. History will investigate the relationship between human beings and the natural world and how this relationship has changed over time. The key premise is that nature is an active force shaping U.S. history. This course will integrate nature, place and environmental justice into the more familiar narratives of the American Past. This course can also count toward the environmental and sustainability studies program.

Students are introduced to the social scientific approaches used to understand how demographic, institutional, cultural, economic and ecological factors influence, and are influenced by, societal development. Comparative case studies enable students to understand the structure and dynamics (e.g., population change) of human populations as they relate to socioeconomic development. This course can also count towards the Environmental Studies Program.

Urban Ecology is the study of organisms, their environment, and the physical, chemical, and biological factors that influence them and their interactions in the urban environment. This course is interdisciplinary. As such, it covers the physical and chemical factors of the urban environment; the flora, fauna, and ecosystems that develop therein; the socioecological issues of the urban environment; and conservation and sustainability of urban natural resources. Course consists of two 135-minute integrated lecture/laboratory meetings and one 70-minute student-led journal club per week.

Students will develop their understanding of biodiversity, the skills needed to participate in the science and management of Earth's biological systems, and individual perspectives on responsible engagement in the world as scientists and as citizens. There will be a 8-9 day field experience involving hiking and camping. There will be a fee for this field experience.

This course will challenge our traditional understanding of what causes armed conflict. We will investigate the possible linkages between climate change and violent conflict. As the 21st century climate deteriorates, will conflict propensity increase around the world? If so, where and why? Special attention will be devoted to the rise of water wars.

This course draws on the world's philosophical traditions, both Eastern and Western, to understand our place within and responsibility for the natural world. The course will consider major theories of ethics (consequentialism, deontologism, virtue ethics) as well as major approaches to environmental philosophy (Social Ecology, Ecofeminism, Deep Ecology). In addition to broad theoretical approaches to the environment, students will use philosophical resources and methods to examine specific environmental issues and controversies.

One of the greatest challenges of our time is determining how to generate global prosperity while ensuring that the ecological environment in which we live remains healthy enough to continue to support thriving human populations. This course focuses on environmental politics and policy at the national and sub-national levels, examining how various perspectives and interests intersect in the struggle to develop the policies that govern the interaction between humans and the natural environment. It is for all students who wish to prepare themselves to engage with the environmental challenges that will increasingly dominate public life in the coming decades. This course can also count toward the global studies program and the environmental studies program.

This course explores the links between energy, politics, and the environment through several critical topics of global importance associated with our expanding use of energy and its impact on our environment. Alternatives to fossil fuels, such as renewable and efficient energy, will be examined as solutions to our current fossil fuel-based economy, which is unsustainable.

Students will develop a basic understanding of a GIS and how it is used to make geospatial decisions using the software ArcGIS. Students will learn the use of spatial analytical tools to answer questions and solve problems concerning spatial data, and present their results in professional quality maps. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Three lectures and four hours of laboratory per week. This course can also count toward the global studies program and the environmental and sustainability studies program.

This English-language course will focus on sustainability in public discourse in Germany, past and present. Historical overview of the exploitation of natural resources in Germany, followed by examination of contemporary environmental issues. Counts toward German or environmental and sustainability studies majors. Readings in German required only for German credit.

This course examines two general categories of global issues - sustainable development and ecological sustainability - and the various interpretive perspectives that offer understandings of each. Integrating the contributions of several disciplines, we examine the historical origins and future trends of these problems, their causes and consequences, and their potential solutions. In addition, students will learn a variety of transferable skills, including the ability to construct policies and negotiate differences among competing interests.

Courses covering various topics of interest in this particular discipline are offered regularly. Contact department or program chair for more information.

This course examines and applies principles of interdisciplinary research on currently relevant environmental topics of interest to the class. This class is a seminar and is intended to serve as a capstone course for the program.

This course provides an opportunity for individual students to conduct in-depth study of a particular topic under the supervision of a faculty member. Contact the department or program chair for more information.

This course examine sustainable practices from a variety of historical contexts to discover how they developed, their evolution, and in some cases what factors led to movement away from these practices. The purpose of this historical investigation will be to craft evidence-based analysis of the implications that different kinds of sustainable practices in history have upon contemporary society. This course features a research project that will draw upon historical analysis, and demonstrate how it can be utilized towards goals of increasing sustainability in contemporary contexts. This course can also count toward the environmental and sustainability studies program.

This course provides an opportunity for individual students to conduct research in a specific area of study, completed under the direction of a faculty mentor. Specific expectations of the research experience to be determined by the faculty. Repeatable for credit. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.