What's this course about? This team-taught multi-disciplinary course presents environmental issues from many viewpoints. It will introduce you to the complexity and ramifications of human interactions with the environment. The class will also prepare you for advanced coursework required for the Environmental Studies major and will provide the basic groundwork for further study in the primary disciplines composing environmental studies.
It's a U.P. Course: This course is included in University Program Group IV subgroup A: Integrative and Interdisciplinary Studies: “In these studies there is an emphasis on the examination of an issue or subject from a multi-disciplinary viewpoint, so as to expose complex relationships and interdependencies within the subject and between it and other subjects. The focus is upon the integration of approaches and methods, and the exploration of values upon which alternative views are based.”
Can Freshmen Enroll? Freshmen are welcome; in fact, usually one-half to two-thirds of the class are freshmen, and mostof the rest are sophomores. There are no prerequisites.
What Topics are Discussed? A typical class includes discussion of the following topics:
- Ecosystems: Systems Theory; Matter and Energy; Global Biogeochemical Cycles; Biomes & Habitats; Changing Ecosystems; Biodiversity; Species & Extinctions -- Biology faculty
- Natural Resources and Pollution: Agriculture & Food; Energy Resources & Conservation; Mineral Resources; Water Resources; Water & Air Pollution; Toxic & Solid Wastes; Pesticides -- Geology and Geography faculty
- Social and Political Issues: Economy and the Environment; Environmental Law & Policy; Population Growth; The Environmental Movement; A Sustainable Future -- Sociology and Political Science faculty
- Community Forum: Student Presentations, Debate and Discussion of a controversial environmental issue - playing roles of various community groups.
