Environmental Studies: Intro to Envrnmtl Studies

Introductory courses of current areas of interest which vary each semester. Topics have included environmental health, energy, regional planning, international studies, literature, ethics, and natural areas management.

Asynchronous online ENVS 1990 is intended to provide students with the opportunity to take an Introduction to ENVS course during the summer term. Students who have already taken ENVS 1500: Introduction to Environmental Studies should not enroll in this course. Special Topics sections cannot have CC designations.

The humanities involve the study of past and present human thought about the way the world works and how people should behave, exploring big questions with which human cultures have grappled for centuries. The study of the humanities helps students to understand what it means to be human and how the past has shaped the present, building skills in using primary source evidence to construct rational arguments, and expanding capacity to empathize with other people. This course delves into these enduring questions as starting points in environmental studies, examining the profound and often complex ways that human life shapes the global environment. Our focus will be on critically exploring the diverse ways in which humans have conceptualized, interacted with, and impacted the environment by learning about a diverse assemblage of motivations, beliefs, and ecological processes. We will investigate how philosophical frameworks, cultural values, and historical contexts shape our understanding of environmental issues. Rather than simply accepting prevailing narratives, we will critically examine the assumptions and power dynamics embedded within environmental discourse. We will explore the evolving concept of the environment, questioning its construction and considering its implications for future sustainability and ecological thriving. Furthermore, we will engage with the philosophy of science, recognizing the crucial role of scientific knowledge in environmental understanding while also acknowledging the social and cultural influences that shape its production and interpretation. We will ask difficult questions about environmental justice, economics and sustainability, and the role of power in the present possibilities for protecting and creating healthy ecosystems. Readings will span various disciplines, including literature, philosophy, history, environmental science, and cultural studies, fostering critical thinking and encouraging students to engage thoughtfully with complex environmental challenges. The goal is to empower students to develop nuanced perspectives on environmental issues, prepare them for a degree in environmental studies, and thereby enabling them to contribute meaningfully to ongoing conversations about the future of our planet.

By the end of this course, you will be able to: Critically analyze the complex interplay of human values, beliefs, and actions in shaping environmental thought and practice, applying concepts from critical theory, wilderness studies, and the philosophy of science. Evaluate diverse perspectives on environmental issues, including those related to environmental justice, economics, sustainability, and the role of power in ecosystem health, drawing on interdisciplinary approaches. Construct well-supported arguments about the evolving concept of "the environment," its social and cultural construction, and its implications for future sustainability and ecological thriving. Bring together knowledge from various disciplines, such as literature, philosophy, history, environmental science, and cultural studies, to develop nuanced perspectives on complex environmental challenges and contribute meaningfully to ongoing dialogues about the future of the planet.

Students will be graded on the following: Reading Response Journal - 25% Concept Mapping - 15% Midterm Exam - 25% Final Exam - 35%