Environmental Studies Department Courses


ENVR 103 G, N – Ecosystems and Human Influence, 4 credits. E. Consideration of basic ecological principles and human influences on ecosystems, emphasizing major environmental problems.
ENVR 107 – Islands as Microcosms of Our World, 4 credits. S (2013). This course will use island living and the theory of island biogeography to provide students with a foundation in ecological principles needed to understand global environmental problems and frame long-term solutions. Students will work as scientists, acquire a nuanced understanding of biodiversity and current environmental challenges, and consider how they can be responsibly engaged as travelers in the world.
ENVR 250 – Pre-May Seminar, 2 credits. D.
ENVR 300 – May Seminar, 4 credits. MS.
ENVR 312, ECON 312, SOC 312 S, G – Global Development Issues, 4 credits. 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.
ENVR 350, PSC 350 – Environmental Policy and Politics, 4 credits. E1. The course is designed to enhance understandings of the natural world, of environmental politics and policy, and to hone skills needed to become effective actors in the policy realm. A wide variety of learning techniques – field experiences, policy simulations, practitioner guest speakers, among others – will help us attain these goals.
ENVR 360, BIOL 360 – Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), 4 credits. E2. 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.
ENVR 365, PSC 365 G, Z – Global Issues, 4 credits. E2. 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.
ENVR 367, PSC 367, SCAN 367 G, S – Arctic Environmental Governance, 4 credits. E3. Discussion of environmental challenges through the perspective of the nations of the Arctic: the Nordic countries, the U.S. and Canada, the Russian Federation and the six circumpolar Arctic indigenous nations (e.g., the Saami, the Inuit). Students will look at the nations themselves and examine environmental policymaking within the nations encircling the Arctic, and the attempt to strengthen the environmental governance among those nations in the Arctic Council. Students will have the opportunity to play a variety of real life roles, from scientist to diplomat, from activist to analyst.
ENVR 380 – Special Topics, 2 to 4 credits. D. Courses covering various topics of interest in this particular discipline are offered regularly. Contact department or program chair for more information.
ENVR 390 – Cooperative Education, 1 to 8 credits. D.
ENVR 475 Z – Interdisciplinary Research, 4 credits. E2. 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.
ENVR 480 – Independent Study, 1 to 4 credits. D. This course provides an opportunity for individual students to conduct in-depth research of a particular topic under the direct supervision of a faculty member. Contact the department or program chair for more information.