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Spring 2008 Env Studies Courses
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20206
Environmental Management: The Caples Stormwater Pond: ES
Practicum
Clore/Miller
Mod 2 T, F 3:30 – 4:50 Caples
CH
The Caples
Stormwater Pond is a small body of water with some big problems.
This practicum will meet twice a week; first to learn about
the pond and some of its water quality and invasive plant
challenges and secondly to attack some of these problems. We¹ll
start by reviewing student theses that looked at the pond and
move on to guest lecturers who will help us understand theory
and practice of stormwater management while others will instruct
us regarding some of the rampant invasive plants a mix of
natives and exotics that includes Cogon Grass (Imperata
cylindrica), deemed one of the ten most invasive weeds on the
planet. This is a get-wet, hands-on offering that include
removing exotic plants.
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20111 The Role of Women in Natural
History
Lowman Full Term W
12:30-3:20 MBR LETRA
This course will examine famous women in
natural history as writers, illustrators and explorers. The
class will focus on literature and primary sources, including
such important figures as Rachel Carson, Lucy Audubon, Lynn
Margulis, Barbara Kingsolver, Mardy Murie, Harriet Tubman, Diane
Ackerman, Annie Dillard, and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. The class
will include lively discussion and analysis of the contributions
of these women to natural science, and two field trips to sites
in Florida that honor women in natural history. All students
will engage in nature-journaling as part of the course
requirements, critique and edit, and develop his/her own style
of natural history writing. In addition, students will develop a
unit on some aspect of nature writing or natural history to
present at local schools as an important component of
Environmental Studies outreach for New College.
Preference
is given to students who are concentrating on environmental
studies, or who have taken some biology courses.
Seminar course limited to 10
students.
Click here for Syllabus |
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20135 STRESS –
Senior Topics of Relevance for Environmental Studies Students
Lowman/Miller Full Term T 5:00 – 8:00
Caples CH
This seminar is limited to
students
majoring in environmental studies during their
final semesters who wish to read current and classic articles
about their environment. (It will be required in future years,
but is new this year.) The class will read and discuss
approximately seven famous or controversial environmental
readings, with field trips based around some of the readings.
For students embarking on environmental science theses, extra
sessions will be held on real-world skills for environmental
leadership including grant-writing, public communication of
science, writing for the media, and independent thinking.
Students will be expected to produce several written and oral
assignments including a public lecture, an editorial essay, a
PowerPoint presentation, and a written research paper relating
to environmental literature. This course represents an option
for ecology students who no longer have a methods course to take
for their environmental science/ecology concentration, and
ultimately a capstone course for environmental studies students
in their final year. Requires permission of
instructor.
Click here for Syllabus
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20106 Coral Reef Ecology
Beulig Mod 1 T,F 12:30-1:50 LBR154
See description under Biology |
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20156 Sustainable Development
Alcock Full Term M,R
2:00 – 3:20 LBR 252
See description under Political Science |
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80124 Urban
Sociology
Brain Full Term M,
R 12:30 – 1:50 LBR 156
See description under Sociology |
Fall 2007 Environmental Studies Courses
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80567
Introduction to Environmental Studies
Alcock/Harley/
Johnson/ Lowman/ McCord/ Miller/ Morris Full Term
T, TH
9-10:20
HCL 7
Interdisciplinary environmental inquiry in a liberal arts
setting is:
supported by a foundation of disciplinary knowledge; engaged
through
team and individual projects; and guided by a variety of
research
methods. This introductory course will feature New College
faculty and
staff from a range of disciplines (biology, ecology, history,
political
science, and psychology) exploring both environmental topics and
skills. Students will work for two weeks with each presenter and
will
gain content knowledge in each presenter's area of expertise as
well as skills through which to consider and analyze
environmentally oriented concerns. This class will prepare
students for New College's unique approach to studying the
environment.
Class size limited to 30
Click here to log
into Ansible and access the Intro to ES page
http://ansible.ncf.edu/cp/home/loginf |
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Land Use and Environmental Law Course
Adjunct – David Smolker Full
Term Tuesday
6:00-9:00PM
Chae
This course will present an overview of
contemporary land use and environmental law. The emphasis will
be on current substantive Florida and Federal law, common,
constitutional, statutory and decisional. The course objective
is to provide students with a working knowledge of current land
use and environmental laws while grounding them in the competing
foundational legal and philosophical principles that create the
tension between and require balancing of individual rights with
the need to protect the public and the environment. Course
materials will include chapter excerpts from noted works,
articles, statutes, judicial case law and actual case studies.
Practicing land use and environmental lawyers from both the
public and private sectors will be brought in as guest lecturers
at times to cover certain topics and provide their practical
experience and perspective.
Click here for Syllabus |
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80564
Conservation Biology – Climate Change
Lowman Module 2 M,
R 2:00-3:20
CHAE
Natural ecosystems provide important, yet
complex, services to the planet Earth, yet we are only just
beginning to understand
the links between human populations and their dependence on the
natural world. In this course, we will focus on both
economic and biological aspects of conservation including issues
such as exotic species, carbon sequestration, global climate
change, pesticides, and the politics of rain forest
pharmaceuticals. The course will begin with the history of
conservation and
end with current issues surrounding climate change, both science
and politics. Extensive readings will be required, ranging
from The IPCC Report to One World – the Ethics of Globalization
by Peter Singer. Students will analyze case studies at three
levels: local, national, and international. The course will be
assessed via three activities: 1. Field excursions with written
reports and class discussion from these field trips; SPARKS or
lively class debates on current events illustrating conservation
principles; and one research paper.
Click here to log
into Ansible and access the Cons Bio Page
http://ansible.ncf.edu/cp/home/loginf |
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80565 SOS -
Student Outreach in Science
Lowman Module 2 TBA
TBA Caples C.H.
This environmental
studies tutorial links New College students to community school
classrooms to promote science for middleschoolers. Participants
in this course will create lectures relating to hands-on natural
science about different topics to several area schools including
Pine View, Sarasota Military Academy, Ashton Middle, and Booker
for a start. Others can be added as the program grows. Students
will also create hands-on interpretive field units to teach
nature walks on Saturday mornings in natural areas owned by
Sarasota County aimed to provide outdoor, family-friendly
science outreach to the entire community.
Assessment will be based on the creation of classroom and field
units including Powerpoint and hands-on activities for middle
schoolers, grant writing, participation in a variety of
different schools and classrooms, and the ability to work
together as a
team of educators in our community.
Click here for class schedule - Coming Soon |
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80486
Introduction to Botany*
McCord Full Term
M, R 3:30-4:50
CHAE
See
description under Biology |
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80564
Global Environmental Politics
Alcock
Full Term W
12:30-3:20 MBA LETRA
See description under Political
Science |
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80465
Introduction to Ethics/Environmental Ethics*
Flakne
Full Term M, TH
2:00-3:20 HCL 2
See
Description under Philosophy |
Spring 2007 Environmental Studies Courses
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20759 Campus
Project-Based Landscaping Practicum
David Mullins and Jono Miller
Full Term TBA
The new campus landscape committee is gearing up and will be
dealing with a backlog of project ideas in the spring
semester. This practicum will match pairs of students with
already identified project ideas, relying on students for
research and development of those ideas. Each team would be
associated with a lead person within the college community.
Practicium participants will share a core reading list of
practical, philisophical, and fictional works that relate
the reader to the natural landscape of Florida. The entire
practicum group will meet weekly as a group to present
progress reports and receive group suggestions. In addition
Mr. Miller will meet once each week with each of the pairs.
Each team will produce a final report/presentation
summarizing their findings and recommendations and relating
their work to the list of core readings.
Click here for Course Requirements
20194 Advanced Ecology – Forest
Canopies
Lowman
Full Term, W
12:30-3:20
Caples CH
This course
will build on the issues from Introductory Plant Ecology,
where students learned the components of an ecosystem,
nutrient cycling and other processes in ecosystems, the role
of plants as the basis of all life, current environmental
issues relating to plant structure and function, and spatial
and temporal factors that contribute to diversity of
ecosystems. Using local ecosystems as a case study, we will
delve into extensive detail about the evolution, structure,
physiology, components, and processes of forest canopies.
Each student will become an expert in the primary literature
of one aspect of forest canopies, ranging from birds to
herbivory to nutrient cycling to
fossil interpretations of forest canopies. Students will
also undertake a semester-long field ecology project at
Carlton Reserve, with appropriate experimental design,
hypothesis, data collection, and research paper. . Several
field trips to local forest canopies will be required,
including methods of canopy access.
Prerequisites: Introduction to Plant Ecology and permission
of instructor. Class limited to 10 students.
Click here for
Syllabus |
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20294
STRESS – Senior Thesis Research for Environmental Studies
Students
Lowman
Full Term, TBA
TBA
TBA
This
seminar is limited to students majoring in environmental
studies during the semester before thesis-writing (who are
not taking any other divisional tutorial), and requires
advance permission of the instructor. Students will learn
important real-world skills for environmental leadership
including grant-writing, public communication of science,
writing for the media, and independent research (through the
thesis process). Students will be expected to work
independently, read current events in environmental issues,
and produce several written and
oral assignments including a grant, a public presentation, a
newspaper article, a Powerpoint
presentation, and a final thesis. Students will also
comprise an advisory council for environmental studies
programs and participate in several field trips relating to
community environmental issues.
Requires permission of instructor.
Click here for
Syllabus |
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20238
Advanced SOS – Science Outreach for Students
Lowman
Full Term , W
5:00 – 6:00
Caples
CH
This environmental studies seminar
links New College students to community school classrooms to
promote science for middle-schoolers.
Participants in this course will create lectures relating to
hands-on natural science about different topics to several
area schools including Pine View, Sarasota Military Academy,
Ashton Middle, and Booker for a start. Others can be added
as the program grows. Students will also create hands-on
interpretive field units to teach nature walks on Saturday
mornings in natural areas owned by Sarasota County aimed to
provide outdoor, family-friendly science outreach to the
entire community. Assessment will be based on the creation
of classroom and field units including
Powerpoint and hands-on activities for middle
schoolers, participation in a
variety of different schools and classrooms, and the ability
to work together as a team of educators in our community. |
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20255
Nature and the Religious Imagination in America
Hite
Full Term, T,R
10:30 – 11:50
HCL 7
See
description under Religion |
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20064 Coral Reef Ecology
Beulig
Module 1, T,F
12:30 – 1:50
LBR 154
See description under Biology
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20741
Animals, Oil, and Atoms: A History of American Energy
Johnson
Full Term,
W
12:30 – 3:20
CHL 221
See description under History |
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20115
Sustainable Development
Alcock
Full Term, M,R
2:00 – 3:20
LBR 252
See
description under Political Science |
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20236
Sociology of Sustainable Communities
Brain
Full term, M,R
3:30 – 4:50
CHL 224
See description under Sociology |
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20724
Methods of Field Ecology
Tiffany
Full Term, T,
R
10:30 – 11:50
MBR LETRA
See
description under Biology |
Fall 2006 Environmental Studies Courses
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80628
Introduction to Plant Ecology – An Environmental Approach
Lowman
Full Term M,R
3:30-4:50 CHAE
SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Plants “rule the
world” as the basis of all life on Earth. In this class, we
will examine the important theories that represent the backbone
of all ecosystems through the perspective of plants -
competition, interactions, symbiosis, succession, regeneration,
invasive species, diversity, evolution, and relatively recent
human applications such as ethnobotany, agriculture, and genetic
breeding. Students will read primary literature from scientific
journals, and we will discuss their major findings as well as
assess the sampling designs of eminent plant ecologists.
Although this is a lecture discussion class, there will be
several laboratory field trips to introduce sampling techniques
in plant ecology. The course will culminate with a
biodiversity blitz, whereby students will survey a local
ecosystem with respect to all its structure, function, and
biodiversity. Students will design a sampling regime, conduct
surveys and write up their results. Assessment will also
include one exam and several short papers. This course
satisfies the requirement for introductory environmental studies
as well as introductory ecology.
Click here for the syllabus |
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80274 SOS –
Student Outreach in Science
Lowman
Full
Term W
5:00-6:20 Caples
CH
This
environmental studies tutorial links New College students to
community school classrooms to promote science for middle-schoolers. Participants
in this course will create lectures relating to hands-on
natural science about different topics to several area
schools including Pine View, Sarasota Military Academy, Ashton
Middle, and Booker for a start. Others can be added as the
program grows. Students will also create hands-on interpretive
field units to teach nature walks on Saturday mornings in
natural areas owned by Sarasota County aimed to provide outdoor,
family-friendly science outreach to the entire community.
Assessment will be based on the creation of classroom and field
units including Powerpoint and hands-on activities for middle
schoolers, grant writing, participation in a variety of
different schools and classrooms, and the ability to work
together as a team of educators in our community.
Credit for Environmental Practicum
Click here for Course Description
Click here for Course Calendar |
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80629
Introduction to Entomology
McCord
Full Term
T,R
10:30-11:50 CHAE
An introductory
course designed for the beginning insect enthusiast who is
interested in the uniqueness and/or the beauty of the world’s
most abundant animal. Students will learn evolutionary and
external morphology, general physiology, behavior, habits,
habitats, social interactions with man and other animals,
sequestration by plants, and more. Students will also study
insects in structural and agricultural ecosystems with an
ecological focus. Students are expected to successfully
complete quizzes, a mid-term, a final, give a 10 minute insect
related in-class presentation, and to write a research report on
an approved insect topic.
Enrollment
limited to 30 students. |
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80162
Seminar on Ecological Anthropology
Andrew
Full
Term T,F
12:30-1:50 Anthro
This seminar
examines the major trends in the development of ecological
anthropology, with special emphasis on 1) the role of ecology in
evolutionary theory, and 2) case studies of the interaction of
people, culture and the environment. Among the topics covered
will be: hunter-gatherers, pastoralism, agrarian ecology, the
ecology of ritual and warfare, population ecology, ancient
civilizations and the environment, and various current issues
where culture and the environment intersect. This seminar does
not offer a biological approach to the study of ecosystems, nor
is it a trendy course on how to recycle beer cans; it is a
comparative survey of the ways in which people interact with
their physical environments. The primary focus will be on
theories concerning the effects of the environment on the
development and evolution of culture, and the seminar will
provide a forum for the discussion of these issues. Limited
to 15, with prior coursework in cultural anthropology, or
permission of the instructor. |
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80307
American Environmental History,
1492-Present
Johnson
Full Term T,R
10:30- 11:50 LBR 156
This course
is a survey of American environmental history from European
contact with the “new world” through the present. It is an
inter-disciplinary course that gives special attention to the
cultural dimensions of American environmental relations but that
spans a range of topics addressing the impact of the economy,
politics, and society on the American environment. Themes
explored include: the different modes of production and
reproduction that have shaped the North American environment
over time, the position the state has played in structuring the
American environment, and the role that culture has played in
shaping Americans’ perceptions of, and relationships to, their
various environments. A governing objective of this course is
to have students critically assess what we mean today, and what
others have meant in the past, by the terms “nature,”
“civilization,” “progress,” and “the pursuit of happiness.”
The course is open enrollment. |
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80124 Urban
Sociology
Brain
Full Term M,R
3:30-4:50 LBR 156
This course
is an introduction to the sociological study of the urban
landscape, with a particular focus on the United States. The
first part of the course will focus on conceptual and
theoretical issues associated with sociological study of the
city, from the "Chicago school "
sociologists at the turn of the century to more recent analyses
of the "social production" of urban space and the sociology of
place. In the middle weeks of the course, we turn to the task
of gaining an historical understanding of the processes of
urbanization and suburbanization in the United States. The last
part of the course will focus more on current issues relevant to
the challenge of building livable and sustainable cities.
Throughout the course, particular emphasis will fall on three
themes that have been at the center of recent discussions of the
city: the active production of urban space through a variety of
political processes and social practices; the character of
spatial forms as cultural representation; the significance of
visual and material characteristics of the city as a dimension
of the ordering of social space. Topics will include:
modernism, "urban renewal," and the technology of city-building;
culture and politics of urban places, with a particular focus on
race, class, and gentrification in contemporary cities;
re-formed city centers and new images of urbanity;
transformations of urban space as we move from the progressive
image of the city as "the hope of democracy" to the supposedly
imminent "end of public space.”
(This class
is a pre-requisite for Sociology of Sustainable Communities). |
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Spring 2006 Environmental Studies Courses
20064 Coral Reef Ecology
 Beulig
Module 1
T,F
12:30 - 1:50
LBR 154
See description under Biology
20070 The Role of Women in Natural History
Lowman
Full Term
W and some Saturdays
12:30-3:30
Caples C.H.
This course will examine famous women in natural history as writers, illustrators and explorers. The class will focus on literature and primary sources, including such important figures as Rachel Carson, Lucy Audubon, Lynn Margulis, Barbara Kingsolver, Mardy Murie, Harriet Tubman, Diane Ackerman, Annie Dillard, and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. The class will include lively discussion and analysis of the contributions of these women to natural science, and two field trips to sites in Florida that honor women in natural history. All students will engage in nature-journaling as part of the course requirements, critique and edit, and develop his/her own style of natural history writing. In addition, students will develop a unit on some aspect of nature writing or natural history to present at local schools as an important component of Environmental Studies outreach for New College.
Preference is given to students who are concentrating on environmental studies, or who have taken some biology courses.
Seminar course limited to 10 students.
20245 Advanced SOS – Science Outreach for Students
Lowman
 Full Term
W
5:00-6:00 p.m.
Caples C.H.
This environmental studies seminar links New College students to community school classrooms to promote science for middle-schoolers. Participants in this course will create lectures relating to hands-on natural science about different topics to several area schools including Pine View, Sarasota Military Academy, Ashton Middle, and Booker for a start. Others can be added as the program grows. Students will also create hands-on interpretive field units to teach nature walks on Saturday mornings in natural areas owned by Sarasota County aimed to provide outdoor, family-friendly science outreach to the entire community. Assessment will be based on the creation of classroom and field units including Powerpoint and hands-on activities for middle schoolers, participation in a variety of different schools and classrooms, and the ability to work together as a team of educators in our community.
20071 Introduction to Entomology
McCord
Full Term
T,R
10:30-11:50
HNS 108
See description under Biology
20072 Introduction to Entomology Laboratory
McCord
Full Term
T
2:00-4:50
HNS 123
See description under Biology
20558 Introduction to Botany *
Staff
Full Term
T,R
9:00-10:20
CHAE
An introduction to the biology of plants, including cells, energy and biomass production, biochemical and physiological systems, in vivo structure, reproduction, diversity and ecology will be taught. Similarities between single celled photosynthetic organisms and multi-cellular vascular plants will be explored. Students are expected to successfully complete quizzes, a mid-term, a final, and write a research paper on an approved plant Topic.
Limit 40 students
20559 Introduction to Botany Laboratory *
Staff
Full Term
TBA
TBA
TBA
Laboratories will consist of plant dissections, external morphology, identification, drawings, field trips, and field collections. Morphological structure will be taught so that dichotomous keys can be used to properly identify collected specimens. Field trips will also focus on plant-plant, plant-insect, and plant-vertebrate interactions with special attention to plants in sensitive areas. Speakers and local experts in plant communities, wetlands, and/or threatened eco-systems may guest lecture some trips. Laboratory evaluations will include, but is not limited to, the successful identification of 50 plant genera for inclusion in an herbarium, either pressed or photographed. Students are expected to successfully complete a mid-term exam and submit an herbarium as a final project.
Limit 15 students/section. Lab Fee Required.
20200 Introduction to Oceanography*
Tiffany
Full Term
T, R
10:30-11:50
MBR LETRA
We will examine physical, chemical, biological and geological phenomena of the oceans, emphasizing events in the tropics. More than 85% of all Americans live within 50 miles of a coastline (including major lakes). Though mountain climbers aspire to climb Mt. Everest on land, many people walk the peaks of the highest mountain on Earth, Hawaii (33,476 feet high from base on the ocean floor to tallest rise above sea-level), every day without notice. Students will be expected to participate in group projects and to engage in active learning. Some in-class experiments and field trips will enhance the lecture course. Those interested in a gender studies focus are welcome. Science background is not required. Enrollment limited to 25.
 20141 Chemistry and Society *
Sherman
Full Term
T,F
12:30-1:50
LBR 156
In this course students learn concepts that form the foundation of knowledge common to all chemists, within the context of society and the environment. The one-semester course is designed for general interest students and is also recommended for natural sciences and premedical students who are shown to need additional background in chemistry prior to taking General Chemistry. It is particularly relevant for Environmental Studies students. In this course, no prior knowledge of chemistry is assumed. Topics include atomic and molecular structure, bonding, reactivity, chemical equilibrium, properties of gases, liquids, and solids, fossil fuels, acid rain, global warming, and the ozone layer.
20569 Environmental Chemistry Tutorial Sessions II
Stephens
Full Term
TBA
TBA
TBA
Individual or group tutorials in Environmental Chemistry will be offered (Module or Full Term). The Environmental Chemistry course will not be taught this year. A tutorial offers the opportunity to investigate some topic in depth or to fill in your background. Examples are: aquatic chemistry, soil chemistry, history of the formation of the atmosphere, the role of individual elements or chemicals in the environment, radioactivity and use of isotopes, and alternate energy sources. Background topics might include acid-base chemistry, coordination chemistry, equilibrium, and instrumental methods in environmental chemistry.
20567 Governing the Oceans
Alcock
Full Term
M, R
12:30 – 1:50
MBL Letra
This course will explore marine governance issues at global, national and local levels. This includes high seas topics, activity within 200-mile exclusive economic zones and in coastal regions. Fisheries management issues will play a prominent role as will marine reserves and the relationship between science and policy. The course will introduce students to institutional theories with an emphasis on designing and enforcing effective institutions for solving marine problems at a variety of scales. The course will attempt to integrate law, politics, and economics while remaining sensitive to questions of physical science. In addition to substantial participation requirements, coursework will involve a series of short writing assignments. No prerequisites are necessary but prior coursework in economics and/or political science will be helpful. Limit 20 students.
See description under Political Science.
20601 Introduction to Natural Resource Economics
Elliot
Full Term
T,R
10:30-11:50
LBR 152
This seminar-style course will introduce students to natural resource economics -- the application of economic analysis to the allocation and management of renewable and nonrenewable natural resources. As the author of the text writes: "The emphasis will be on analysis: why resources are used as they are, and what specific steps can be undertaken to use them at a rate that is socially beneficial to all." The course pedagogy will rely primarily on facilitated student explication and discussion of the core concepts and issues, rather than lectures.
See longer description under Economics.
20588 Environmental Ethics
Edidin
Full Term
M,R
3:30-4:50
HCL-7
After a brief introduction to ethical theory in general, we'll look at whether environmental issues call for genuinely new modes of ethical thought. This theoretical investigation will be followed by examination of several case-studies. Written work will include many brief reaction-response papers and a term paper.
See description under Philosophy
20610 Seven Environmental Explorations
Staff
Full Term
TBA
TBA
Cables C.H. /(one mod credit)
Off-campus
This offering is organized around seven Saturday walks (at this time, along a railroad, a beach, a powerline, through downtown alleys, through a wetland system, around an Indian mound and a walk (actually a canoe trip if there is enough water) down the Myakka River. Each walk will be previewed by location-specific readings as well as readings from Outside Lies Magic (Stilgoe), Reading the Landscape of America (Watts) and other texts that encourage observation and general delving into the reasons present landscapes look like they do. There will be one weekly meeting during the school week at a mutually convenient time. This offering is designed for curious, experiential learners interested in both sense of place and the environment. Each student will produce a “chapter” that will document the story of some nearby locale of their choosing. An Environmental Studies Practicum course
Enrollment limited to 10, by permission of the Instructor.
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