Fall 2017 ENVS Topics Course Descriptions
Fall 2017 ENVS Topics Course Descriptions
ENVS 3525 Intermediate Environmental Problem Analysis: Topical Cornerstones - Sustainable Food Systems The UN predicts that world food demand will increase by 70% by 2050, relative to current levels. Given the already-high environmental and social impacts of food systems globally, how can such large growth in food production be achieved in a more sustainable manner? This course will first examine the broad environmental and social costs of the current food system, and then explore the opportunities and challenges for alternative (or modified) models of food production and consumption. Can organic feed the world? Should we buy local? What contribution might GMOs make? What is the impact of animal agriculture on the environment? What dietary changes are needed and expected? In all cases, we will ask: what is the best available evidence that these ideas can enhance food system sustainability; do these potential solutions offer environmental gains or losses; can they be scaled up; and what are the changes in science, policy, and values that would better-enable that process? The course aims to develop critical thinking skills and food literacy, and will encourage engaged student learning. Class time will involve a combination of seminars, discussions, readings, activities, visiting speakers, and field trips to explore the theme of sustainable food systems. Assessment will be based on a number of experiential assignments that will help you to engage with the food system: by volunteering, eating ethically, participating in a class blog, and writing a grant proposal. Recommended prereq.: ENVS 1000. Fulfills the Cornerstone Requirement. |
ENVS 3525 Intermediate Environmental Problem Analysis: Topical Cornerstones – Health and the Built Environment This course will examine the relationship between the built environment and public health, drawing on science and practice of diverse disciplines, including public health, sociology, psychology, landscape ecology, architecture and urban planning. Students will learn about the interconnections among these fields and how the methods and practices from these fields can inform neighborhood and community planning decisions and public health action. Moreover, students will learn about the science informing built environment-health connections, the policies designed to advance built environment change, and the tactics and activities to engage community in these decisions. We will explore health as it relates to the natural environment (air, water, food), built environment (neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, parks), and social and economic contexts (health disparities, environmental justice). Recommended prereq.: ENVS 1000. Fulfills the Cornerstone Requirement. |
ENVS 4100 Special Topics in Environmental Studies: The Marine and the Maritime Are you a solution-focused person? Do you enjoy debates? Like to engaging with peers to solve real- world problems? Do you love the oceans? Are you worried about the future of the global oceans? Come participate in a real research project that could very well be the passion for a long time! Come and join this NEW and exciting seminar style course this Fall, exploring a range of issues that affect the global oceans. Marine pollution, coral reefs, fishing practices, El Nino, coastal communities, sea level rise and much more! Hear about the latest research, engage in debates, undertake group projects—in a relaxing and stimulating environment. Learn how to tackle problems affecting our marine environment! Weekly sessions will include research readings, discussion, presentations, guest lectures and writing. The class will be a large project too. Get to learn skills in a fun and engaging class. Open to students from all majors. Count toward the specialization requirement and the Global Environmental Affairs (GEA) Certificate. |
ENVS 4800-002 Critical THinking in Environmental Studies: Global Agricultural Sustainability Global Agricultural Sustainability will explore the current state and future of the world’s food production systems. In the first portion of the course, we will focus on how and where food is produced, whether there is enough food to feed the current population, and we will examine the technology and environmental trade-offs involved in the current food production system. In the second half of the course, we’ll examine trends in agricultural development, global changes in diet, climate change and other factors in order to understand what it will take to feed the world in 2050 and beyond. The class will include short lectures, hands on activities, and will involve analysis of data and trends using standard software such as Excel. You do not need prior experience but you should be willing to work with computers, spreadsheets, and be prepared to learn a variety of approaches to the analysis of data and trends. Recommended prereq.: ENVS 1000. Fulfills the Capstone requirement. |
ENVS 4800-001 Critical Thinking in Environmental Studies: Mineral Development in the Rockies The topic for this capstone is Mineral Development in the Rockies. The class will address the extraction of non-renewable natural resources in the Rocky Mountain West of the United States and Canada. Mineral resources include: rare earth elements, uranium, gold and silver, molybdenum, coal, natural gas, and petroleum. This course will entail writing a major paper on a topic that you choose, and presenting your findings before a panel made of your fellow classmates. There will be a field trip opportunity to visit the deep underground Henderson Molybdenum Mine. A capstone course is the culminating class of a course of study, usually taken senior year. It is generally a class where a student demonstrates all that has been learned in his or her major, usually by writing a major paper and presenting it before an academic panel, doing a major project, engaging in a research project, or doing an internship of some kind. Recommended prereq.: ENVS 1000. Fulfills the Capstone requirement. |
ENVD 4346-002: Special Topics in Physical Factors. Conservation and Recreation in the American West Instructor: Stacey Schulte Are we loving our public lands to death? The United States has a strong tradition of protecting land for public use and enjoyment. Recreation is now a $61 billion dollar industry but this use comes at a cost. Recreation ecology is the study of environmental impacts created by recreational activity. In this seminar, we explore how land is managed to protect multiple values. From National Parks to the local level, we explore social, economic and environmental issues related to use of these cherished landscapes. This exploration will take us through issues such as watershed protection, ecosystem management, environmental education and economics. Local experts on these topics will participate in the course. The first part of the course, we will visit various types of public lands including Rocky Mountain National Park, state parks and the wide variety of protected areas in Boulder County. Boulder has one of the nation’s most successful local conservation programs with over 230 square miles of protected land – including areas like Chautauqua and many lesser known parks. In the second part of the course, we will focus on one of these magnificent areas in our own backyard. For this hands-on project, students will apply site assessment and ecological design principles to develop solutions to minimize the impacts of recreational use. Issues that students may explore include carrying capacity, user conflict, and emerging issues such as nighttime use. Course work will include weekly reflections; two research assignments; and a final site design. Fulfills ENVS Application requirement. |