FALL 2012 COURSES
Courses for the ES Major: Social and Cultural Perspectives Track
Courses for the ES Major: Environmental Science Track
Courses for the ES Minor
Special Topics Course Descriptions
COURSES FOR THE ES MAJOR
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES TRACK
Foundation Courses:
- ES 100 001 Environmental Concerns in Perspective
- ES 100 002 Environmental Concerns in Perspective
- ES 100 003 Environmental Concerns in Perspective
Core Courses:
- EC 104ES 04 Introduction to Microeconomics
- EC 104ES 05 Introduction to Microeconomics
- SO 223 Environmental Sociology
Cluster A Courses:
- AM 232H New England Begins
- EC 104ES 004 Intro to Microeconomics
- EC 104ES 005 Intro to Microeconomics
- EC 316 Economic Development
- ES 352 Global Environmental Governance
- ES 352C 002 The Politics of Food, Agriculture and Social Justice
- EX 131 Intro to Public Health
- HI 217 001 American Indian History
- IA 101 Introduction to International Affairs
- SO 223 Environmental Sociology
Cluster B1 Courses:
- BI 115H Ecology of Food*
- BI 140 Marine Biology*
- BI 241 Ecology*
- ES 205 Conservation and Use of Forested Landscapes
- ES 352C 001 Restoration Ecology
- GE 101 Earth Systems Science*
- GE 208 Origin and Distribution of Natural Resources
*Indicates Lab Course
Capstone:
- ES 374 Environmental Studies: Methods and Approaches
Methods:
- EC 237 Statistical Methods
- ID 210 Introduction to GIS
- MS 104 001 and MS 104 002 Introduction to Statistics
- SO 226 Statistics for the Social Sciences
- SO 227 Social Research Methods
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE TRACK
Foundation Course:
- ES 100 001 Environmental Concerns in Perspective
- ES 100 002 Environmental Concerns in Perspective
- ES 100 003 Environmental Concerns in Perspective
Disciplinary Foundation Courses:
- BI 105 Biological Sciences I: Unity of Life
- CH 105 Chemical Principles I
- CH 106 Chemical Principles II
- GE 101 Earth Systems Science
Core Courses:
- ES 205 Conservation and Use of Forested Landscapes
Cluster A Courses:
- EC 104ES 004 Intro to Microeconomics
- EC 104ES 005 Intro to Microeconomics
- EC 316 Economic Development
- ES 352 Global Environmental Governance
- ES 352C 002 The Politics of Food, Agriculture and Social Justice
- EX 131 Intro to Public Health
- IA 101 Introduction to International Affairs
- HI 217 001 American Indian History
- SO 223 Environmental Sociology
Cluster B2 Courses:
- BI 241 Ecology*
- BI 351 Micro Biotechnology and Environmental Applications
- CH 221 Organic Chemistry*
- ES 352C 001 Restoration Ecology
- GE 304 Geomorphology
Capstone:
- ES 374 Environmental Studies: Methods and Approaches
Methods:
- ID 210 Introduction to GIS
- MS 104 Introduction to Statistics or BI 252E Biostatistics
COURSES FOR THE ES MINOR
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE TRACK
Foundation Courses:
- ES 100 001 Environmental Concerns in Perspective
- ES 100 002 Environmental Concerns in Perspective
- ES 100 003 Environmental Concerns in Perspective
Cluster A Courses:
- EC 104 ES 004 Intro to Microeconomics
- EC 104 ES 005 Intro to Microeconomics
- EC 316 Economic Development
- ES 352 Global Environmental Governance
- ES 352C 002 The Politics of Food, Agriculture and Social Justice
- EX 131 Intro to Public Health
- IA 101 Introduction to International Affairs
- HI 217 001 American Indian History
- SO 223 Environmental Sociology
Cluster B1 Courses:
- BI 115H Ecology of Food*
- BI 140 Marine Biology*
- BI 241 Ecology*
- ES 205 Conservation and Use of Forested Landscapes
- ES 352C 001 Restoration Ecology
- GE 101 Earth Systems Science*
- GE 208 Origin and Distribution of Natural Resources
*Indicates Lab Course
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SPECIAL TOPICS COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:
ES 221 Sustainable Development - Instructor: Andrew J. Schneller
The real time world statistics at www.worldometers.info tick off births, deaths, dollars spent on public education, bicycles produced, new books published, cellular phones sold, forest loss, CO2 emissions, water consumed in the year, and barrels of oil pumped in a day. Is such a world sustainable? Sustainable development examines the concepts and practices of sustainable development as a process for resolving the tensions between economic development, supporting the basic needs of humanity, and the necessity to protect the global environment. Through case study we will explore both US and international issues facing communities as they struggle to preserve their economic, social, environmental, and cultural heritage in an increasingly globalized world. Participation in the case study approach requires you to undertake leadership roles, take risks, and behave as practicing professionals in roles you will likely assume after leaving Skidmore. We’ll analyze both failed and progressive policies and practices that work toward achieving sustainability, across topic areas such as energy production, climate stabilization, alternative housing, food security, water, communications, transportation, tourism, ecosystem and species protection, and resource extraction. Students will work in pairs on a semester-long investigation into sustainable development concepts and issues facing a chosen country, which culminates in a research paper and oral presentation. Students will also take a midterm examination. Prerequisite: ES 100.
ES 352 Global Environmental Governance - Instructor: Nurcan Atalan Helicke
The Earth’s environment has become a major focal point of international conflict and
cooperation. Responding to growing threats of environmental degradation, countries
have signed over a thousand international treaties and conventions designed to protect
and manage the environment. Similarly, governments and other actors have developed
elaborate tools and systems for observing and modeling the behavior of the global
environment and translating this knowledge into global policy advice. This course
will provide the student with a broad set of theoretical approaches to the study of
international and global environmental politics. We will discuss the role of policymakers,
scientists, non-state actors and nation-states in establishing and maintaining environmental
protection efforts worldwide. This course explores the politics of international environmental
problems from a global perspective, examining environmental issues--including but
not limited to, climate change, desertification, deforestation, and hazardous waste--that
affect us regardless of geographical location and need regulation under conditions
of scientific uncertainty. This class will be conducted in a seminar format; participation
in class discussions is, therefore, crucial to the success of the course. Assignments
include an exam, in-class exercises, case study reviews and a research project. Prerequisites ES 100 or the permission of the instructor.
ES 352C 001 Restoration Ecology - Instructor: Cathy Gibson
Ecological restoration is an intentional activity that initiates or accelerates the
recovery of an ecosystem with respect to its health, integrity and sustainability.
This course explores the newly emerging science of restoration ecology through its
theoretical foundations and applications. We will review the conceptual bases of
restoration ecology (succession, recruitment, landscape scale phenomena). In addition,
we will address complex problems in restoration (genetics, physical barriers, exotic
species, hydrologic regimes). Course work will focus on student centered presentations
and analyses of case studies and recent literature. This course will involve collaborative
projects and include at least one field trip outside of class hours. Pre-requisites ES 205 and ES 206 or permission of instructor.
ES 352C 002 The Politics of Food, Agriculture and Social Justice - Instructor: Nurcan
Atalan Helicke
Our world is in a food crisis. Rising prices, diminishing grain reserves, and global
climate change—with implications for agriculture, crop yields, and water resources—raise
fears of chronic hunger, vulnerability, and the erosion of our natural resources.
Starting with food production and agriculture, this course critically examines the
global agro-food system, including the processing, transport, and marketing of food,
and concludes with the politics of food consumption. We will focus on the problems
with dominant forms of producing and distributing food, including the many environmental
and social inequalities they produce, and what people are doing about them. Although
most would agree that the problems with the food system are systemic and global in
scale, and come from the way food is produced, current solutions tend to focus on
creating alternatives on the local scale, privileging the needs and desires of consumers.
Through case studies, the course will provide you an opportunity to think deeply about
strategies how agro-food systems can promote social justice and environmental sustainability
and whether current alternative solutions to the problems in the global agro-food
system are adequate. Prerequisites: ES 100 or the permission of the instructor. Requirements for this course include attendance and participation, food-related field trips/fieldwork,
short writing assignments, and a research project.
ES 352C 004 US public land and oceans: policy, management, and current events - Instructor:
Andrew J. Schneller
Public lands and oceans are our natural and national heritage. State and federal agencies
manage, and at times mismanage, public lands and oceans for their diverse recreational,
wilderness, resource, economic, ecosystem, watershed, range, and wildlife values.
Through case studies and issue investigation, this class will examine the policies,
laws, philosophies; the social, cultural, religious, economic, political interests;
and the science that influence the management of state and federally owned public
resources. We will explore active stakeholders in the public lands and oceans policy
arena, which include a diversity of advocates, agencies, tribes, non-governmental
organizations, researchers, and industries. This class will include special guest
speakers, films, and field trips. Students will take a participatory role in current
environmental policy and resource management decisions by offering written comments
through the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, and Letters
to the Editor of newspapers. Students will also work in pairs on a semester-long Issue
Investigation and Action Research Project that includes a research paper and oral
presentation as well as take an in class midterm examination. Prerequisites: ES 100 or the permission of the instructor.
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