The Environmental Studies Courses
The following are the official course descriptions of currently approved Environmental Studies courses. Feel free to contact the faculty teaching these courses (see Faculty).
Links to sample Syllabi (not necessarily the most current) can be found for most courses to give prospective students an idea of the nature of each course.
Course Descriptions
Tropical Ecology. BIOL A118. 3 credits. College of Arts & Sciences. Two weeks will be spent in the field in Belize, Guatemala, or Trinidad studying the plants and animals in several different ecological zones: coral reefs, pine savannah, rain forest, and mangrove swamps. A paperon the ecology of the area will be written after returning from the expedition.. Natural Sciences Area. SAMPLE SYLLABUS
Human Ecology. BIOL Z130. 3 credits. College of Arts & Sciences. Common Curriculum: Natural Sciences Modern This course is a consideration of the basic concepts of ecology, including the nature of ecosystems, energy flow, biogeochemical cycles, and characteristics of populations and communities of organisms. The role of humans in the ecosphere will be emphasized, with particular attention to human population problems, food production, and pollution problems. Natural Sciences Area. SAMPLE SYLLABUS
Evolution. BIOL Z136 3 credits. College of Arts & Sciences. Common Curriculum: Natural Sciences Modern This course examines the issues relating to the changes in life forms during the history of life on earth. Concepts are illustrated using examples from living systems and the fossil record. Human evolution also is considered. Designed for non-biology students. Natural Sciences Area. SAMPLE SYLLABUS
Ecology and Evolution. BIOL A208 3 credits. College of Arts & Sciences. This course introduces current concepts and principles of ecology and evolution. Animal behavior, populations, communities, ecosystems, biogeography, natural selection, speciation, the history of life, human evolution, and other topics will be studiedthrough lectures, readings, discussion, and a field trip. Prerequisites: BIOL A106-A110, A205-A207. Co-requisite: BIOL A303. Natural Sciences Area. SAMPLE SYLLABUS
Mississippi River Delta Ecology. BIOL Z144 3 credits. College of Arts & Sciences. This course is a basic study of the ecology of the Mississippi River deltaic plain. Emphasis is on the importance of costal erosion, accompanied by study of the physical and biological aspects of the Mississippi River, its delta, estuaries, and their habitats, flora and fauna, and relevant environmental issues. The course is designed to enhance the student's understanding of the relevance of the ecology of the Mississippi River Delta to the activities of humans. Natural Sciences Area. SAMPLE SYLLABUS
Introduction to Chemistry. CHEM T122 3 credits. College of Arts & Sciences. Common Curriculum: Introductory This course is an introduction to chemistry for non-scientists that they may be concerned, clear thinking citizens. In a complex scientific and technological society, an average person must be able to understand chemistry-related problems, e.g., food, energy, pollution, ozone depletion, global warming, space exploration, drugs, medicinals, genetic engineering, and even life itself. Natural Sciences Area.
Environmental Communications. CMMN A370 3 credits. College of Arts & Sciences. Presents an overview of how environmental information is expressed in mass communications and associated theory of the field. Important environmental theory and issues will be discussed. Students will use and sharpen their writing skills, learn how to evaluate scientific information, and study issues with conflicting data. Social Sciences Area. SAMPLE SYLLABUS
General Geography I. GEOG A100 3 credits. College of Arts & Sciences. This course is a survey of human, political, and physical regions of the earth. Social Sciences Area.
General Geography II. GEOG A101 3 crs. College of Arts & Sciences. This course is an analysis of geographical factors and concepts as they apply to selected countries. Social Sciences Area. SAMPLE SYLLABUS
Problem Solving in Ecology. MATH Z132 3 crs. College of Arts & Sciences. Common Curriculum: Natural Sciences Modern This course in environmental problem solving teaches students how to use relatively simple mathematical methods (often of the "back-ofthe- envelope" type) to understand how planet Earth and its inhabitants interact. The problems will deal with issues such as pollution, the exhausting of fossil fuel resources, resources, and over-population. Natural Sciences Area
Environmental Philosophy. PHIL V143 3 credits. College of Arts & Sciences. Common Curriculum; Humanities/Arts Modern This course offers an overview of the environmental crisis and evaluates the leading contemporary philosophical accounts of both the origins of the crisis and the ethical orientations needed for its resolution. Humanities Area.
Environmental Philosophy. PHIL C369 3 credits. City College. The goal of this course is to help the student reflect on the concepts of nature, ecology, and environment, and on the relationship between the person, humanity, and the natural world. We investigate concepts of nature and of humanity's place in nature in Western thought, in Eastern traditions and in indigenous cultures. We also examine the role of images and conceptions of nature in the history of social, political, and economic institutions, and discuss the ways in which views of nature may perform both ideological and liberatory functions. Humanities Area. SAMPLE SYLLABUS
Environmental Ethics. PHIL C368 3 crs. City College.This course is an exploration of the developing fields of environmental ethics. Topics include issues and concepts in environmental ethics (including the animal rights debate); individualistic and holistic theories; views of major ecophilosophies on environmental issues, ecological crisis, and human responsibilities toward nature. Humanities Area. SAMPLE SYLLABUS
Christianity and the Environment. RELS C368 3 crs. City College This course will involve participants in an investigation of the developing ecological agenda from the perspective of Christian faith. Our inquiry will draw upon theologians whose work helps us to perceive the revelatory effects and power of creation. Humanities Area.
Environment and Society. SOCI X135 3 credits. College of Arts & Sciences. Common Curriculum: Behavioral/Social Sciences Modern This course explores the relationship of humans and their societies to the natural environment. Integrating both scientific and philosophical viewpoints, this course focuses on introducing students to the basic concepts, ecological philosophies, political strategies, and social history of the U.S. environmental movement. Social Sciences Area. SAMPLE SYLLABUS
Global Environmental Crisis. SOCI X136 3 crs. College of Arts & Sciences. Common Curriculum: Behavioral/Social Sciences Modern. This course is a general exploration of the major ecological problems facing the planet today and their relationship to globalization trends and patterns of social inequality. Topics such as global warming, ozone destruction, acid rain, declining energy resources, overpopulation, hunger, soil erosion, deforestation, species extinction, solid and hazardous wastes, and general pollution issues are critically examined. Social Sciences Area. SAMPLE SYLLABUS