Sustainability & Environmental Studies

ENV 101-Introduction to Environmental Studies 

This interdisciplinary, introductory seminar explores current environmental issues from a variety of perspectives (historical, social, and scientific) and disciplines (humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences). Attitudes toward the natural world and approaches to public and private decision-making are examined in terms of environmental justice issues. Field trips are taken to examine local and regional practices and issues. 

Richard Frost M/W 2:15-3:40, 3:55-5:20, T/Th 12:40-2:05 

Jan Wellik T/Th 11:00-12:25 pm 

Alysa Remsberg T/Th 9:25-10:50, 11:00-12:25, 2:15-3:40 

Margot Higgins INTERNET, two sections 

ENV 314: Topics in Environmental Studies: Bicycling the Wisconsin Landscape 

With urban population growth, pollution and congestion, more public awareness of the relationship between climate change and car driving, and more interest in improving physical activity, bicycling is experiencing a recent boom as a transportation option. The overarching objective of this course is to provide intellectual and active engagement with bicycling. This includes understanding transportation politics, equity, bicycle culture, local, national, and global trends in bicycling, and what needs to be accomplished to increase support for bicycling at local and global levels. Based on experience with field trips, guest lecturers, and course assignments, students will develop a bicycle assessment on a city of their choice. Students will need access to a well functioning bicycle, helmets, and lights for riding at night, as bicycle field trips will be a significant component of the class. 

Margot Higgins Wed 1:10-3:55pm 

ENV 351: Topics in Environmental Justice: Feeding the Planet 

This course provides an opportunity to investigate reasons for our food choices and impacts of the food system.  We’ll meet professionals in the food system and ask questions that are both personal and societal.  What led to our “normal” food options?  Why is food waste a big deal for the planet?  How are other people affected by our food choices? Is organic farming a solution?  What can we do to reduce our carbon and water footprints? In order to investigate these kinds of questions, the course will incorporate interviews, photography, video presentations, readings, service learning, food sampling, and discussion groups. 

Margot Higgins T/Th 12:40-2:05 

ENV 496-Environmental Studies Capstone  

As a culmination of the environmental studies minor, this course has two main purposes. The first is to take action locally on an environmental service-learning project. Action in the community builds professional skills, offers networking, and solidifies student interests. The second purpose is to help students clarify personal and career goals that are based on their environmental philosophy. Hearing from recent graduates and professionals in environmental fields provides students with a wide variety of perspectives and ideas as they consider their future decisions.  

Alysa Remsburg      F 9:55-11:55 am, additional internet section

Bio 307: Ecology  

A study of interactions that determine the distribution and abundance of living organisms. The basic principles of ecology are presented in order to develop an understanding of the nature of these interactions at the individual, population and community levels of biological organization. 

BIO 341 – Limnology 

This course includes fundamentals of aquatic ecology, with special reference to community ecology. Taxonomy, stratification and succession of organisms to be investigated. Energy traffic through aquatic ecosystems will also be investigated. Field trips required. Lect. 2, Lab 3. 

GEO 200 – Conservation of Global Environments 

Introduction to natural resources, resource management, environmental and land use ethics, environmental impacts of resource utilization and strategies to resolve environmental conflicts. Course examines the relationships between society and the environment from the global to the local scale. 

GEO 211 – Global Climate Change  

This course serves as an introduction to causes of natural and human-induced climate change, and the current and future impacts of climate change on environmental systems and society. Actions that could be taken by governments, industry, non-profit organizations, and individuals to mitigate the magnitude and effects of climate change will be addressed. The course will investigate social, cultural, and political aspects associated with climate change policy, including how vulnerability, resilience, and adaptability to a changing climate vary across the globe. 

CHM 412 – Aquatic and Soil Chemistry  

This course examines the role of chemistry in shaping our environment, focusing specifically on aquatic and terrestrial systems. Students will learn how to apply fundamental chemical principles to complex real systems in order to characterize environmental behavior. Learning to understand and predict the fate of organic and inorganic pollutants in soil-water systems will be emphasized. Special topics that relate to current events will also be explored, and the connection between environmental issues and social/economic challenges will be examined. 

PH 335 – Environmental Health  

This course will examine the interdisciplinary and global impacts of human-environment relationships. Emphasis is placed on the critical nature of our understanding these relationships in order to improve ecosystem health, human health and well-being, global economics and sustainability. Politics, economics, science, technology, human behavior (both individual and collective), history, ethics, and the media are examined for the purpose of improving the quality of life for all people through the creation of a sustainable global society. The science, methods and processes of environmental health will be considered. The role of environmental health in public and population health will be examined. 

REC 306 - NatureRx: Environmental Ethics and Behaviors in Recreation and Tourism  

This course provides an overview of the natural resources used for outdoor recreational pursuits and nature-based tourism. Students analyze leisure, recreation, and tourism activities dependent on natural resources, present issues associated with recreational land use, and develop environmental awareness and a personal environmental ethic.  

PSY 302 – Environmental Issues: Applied Psychology 

This course is an exploration of psychological perspectives on environmental issues. The course covers a variety of topics, such as how our attitudes, thoughts, and behaviors have contributed to environmental degradation, how we can use social and cognitive psychological tools to promote environmentally sustainable behaviors, the psychological effects of environmental toxins and disasters, and the psychological benefits of nature. 

SOC 311 – Rural and Urban Communities 

Basic sociological concepts and principles are applied to understand social life within rural and urban communities. Focus will be on the political economy, the culture, and social problems of people as they live in different types of communities. 

SOC 328 

This course provides a framework for understanding the relationship between human societies and their physical environment. This course will focus on how environmental sociologists explain the social origins of environmental degradation, how environmental harms are unequally distributed among different communities and nations, and the role of environmental movements in protecting the physical environment.

ART 331: Art and the Environment in the United States

This course presents a thematic overview of the visual arts of the United States - from pre-colonization to today - focused on the interrelationships between the natural environment and human society. Students study a diversity of artistic responses to the environment, including artworks that 1) depict landscapes and environments; 2) are sited in or made from the land; 3) engage with environmental issues such as biodiversity, deforestation, and climate crisis. In addition to art historical study, students also reflect on their own social responsibility about the environment by participating in an applied art project.

ENG 387: Literature and Environmental Action

A study of literature of many genres written by nature and environmentalist writers, both traditional and contemporary, all serving as models for students' essays and projects. Prerequisite: three credits in 200 level English courses.