Environmental Studies and Sustainability: Spring 2016 Courses
ESS 215 Environmental Science, 4 credits (also BIOL 215) BNS, WM
Section 1: T,Th 9:00-10:15 am; or Section 2: T,Th 11:50 am-1:05 pm
This course explores the science behind environmental problems and solutions. Students study current
environmental issues in the context of their scientific (biological, chemical, geological) underpinnings, while also
considering the political, social and cultural dimensions of these issues. The course also addresses the role of
scientific knowledge in understanding and resolving environmental problems, such as climate change, population
growth, deforestation, extinction, air and water pollution, food production, and environmental health. These topics
are explored through readings, films, student writing, research and field trips.
ESS 302 Geographic Information Systems, 4 credits, BI, Q
T,Th 9:00-10:15 am
This course explores GIS (Geographic Information System) and related spatial analysis tools, which are used to
elucidate the natural landscape and human modification of the earth's surface. Students will acquire cartographic,
ArcGIS, and remote sensing skills through case studies and individual research investigations.
ESS 400 Capstone Seminar, 4 credits, WI, CAP
M,W 11:50 am-1:05 pm
ESS 271 Environmental History, 4 credits (also HIST 277), BH
M,W 1:15-2:30 pm
This course explores the major issues in, and theoretical approaches to, the history of interaction with and concern
for the environment, from the era of European exploration to today. The course will start with a broad, global
scope, then narrow to predominantly focus on the United States, then return to a broad global scope in discussions
of modern environmental concerns. The course will take a three pronged approach: 1) chronological
environmental history, 2) the history of the American environmental movement, and 3) case studies in the form of
major monographs important to the discipline. We will examine changing notions of concepts such as “nature,”
“wilderness,” “progress,” “development,” etc…, and the evolution of theoretical approaches to the study of human
interaction to the environment.
ESS 332 Wildlife and Culture, 4 credits (also ANTH 332), BSS, DI
W,F 2:40-3:55 pm
This class is a cross-cultural exploration of the ways that people think about and interact with wild animals.
Drawing on a wide range of interdisciplinary sources, we will ponder abstract philosophical questions like “What is
an animal?”, “What is natural?” and “What is human?” As an ESS course, however, this class will pay special
attention to the ways that different perspectives on wild animals influence larger global concerns, such as
biodiversity, invasive species, animal conservation, and animal rights. Upon completion of this class, students
should: 1) possess a broad knowledge of the plasticity of thought and practices relating to wild animals that exists
within particular societies, between different societies, and across time; 2) understand the important role that wild
animals play in helping human beings define and understand themselves; and 3) appreciate the value of crosscultural research methodologies. Enrollment restricted to: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. Pre-requisites:
ANTH 104 is recommended.
ESS 307 Environmental Justice Literature, 4 credits (also ENGL 307), BH, DVUS, WI
T,Th 10:25-11:40 am
This course investigates the ways U.S. literary/media works have responded to environmental injustice, the
unequal distribution of environmental hazards, resources, and power among race, gender/sexuality, class, and
national groups. Since environmental injustice has a disproportionate impact on women, low-income populations,
and people of color, this course examines the ways a wide range of multi-ethnic texts—from comic books to plays,
music videos to novels—represent the environment in order to understand how the exploitation of nature is linked
to the exploitation of people. We explore literary responses to urgent environmental justice issues like
globalization, working conditions, food, factory farming, water rights, health equity, toxic bodies, urban
degradation, and the mining of natural resources. Throughout the course, we will consider the ways in which
environmental injustices reflect and construct ideologies of racism, sexism, classism, and nationalism.
Environmental Studies and Sustainability: Spring 2016 Courses
ESS 331 Archeology and Sustainable Culture, 4 credits (prereq: ANTH 103 or 104 or permission)
T,Th 10:25-11:40 am
Through Archaeology scholars reconstruct, examine, query and confront the record of past human-environment
interactions. Placing these interactions in an historical context brings a long-term perspective to bear on
contemporary issues. This course examines critically this record of human adaptations through time and across the
globe with a particular focus on the ancient Americas. The view of archaeology is that the experiences of these
ancient societies offer useful lessons about past choices which should affect the choices made today. Enrollment
priority: Enrollment priority given to majors or minors in Anthropology Prerequisite: ANTH+103 or 104 or
permission of instructor Offered Spring semester in alternate years. Same as: ANTH+331
ANTH 322/BIOL 322 Primatology, 4 credits (prerequisites: ANTH 103 or instructor permission)
M,W,F 10:25-11:40 am
The study of primate behavior, how it can be understood as environmental adaptation, its evolutionary
significance, and how it compares to human behavior. Topics include primate ecology, social behavior,
sociobiology, and cognition.
BIOL 320 Tropical Marine Ecology, 4 credits (prerequisites: BIOL 150 & BIOL 160)
T,Th 11:50 am-1:05 pm
Weekly lecture, laboratory, and pool work at Drew followed by intensive week in the field during spring recess at a
site in the Caribbean. Snorkeling-based observations of ecological relationships among reef fish and invertebrates.
Also includes the ecology of reefs, sea grass beds, rocky shore, and mangrove habitats. (Extra costs borne by the
student are transportation and room and board at off-campus site.)
CHEM 103 Turning Green: An Introduction to Green Materials and Alternatives, 4 credits, BNS, Q
T,Th 1:15-2:30 pm
This introductory course focuses on the challenges involved with manufacturing and using materials and chemicals
in the modern world. Substances ranging from adhesives to asphalt, fibers to food, cars to clothes, carpets to
cosmetics, diapers to drugs, inks to insecticides, perfumes to pesticides, pharmaceuticals to plastics, wood to water
treatment chemicals and many others are based on the synthesis, processing, formulation, use and eventual
disposal or recycling of chemical entities. Thus an understanding of the basis for the environmentally sound
production of diverse chemicals and materials as well as emerging alternative processes is vital for the sustainable
and safe use of items made from chemicals. In this course we will explore, describe and evaluate the myriad ways
in which selected, important chemicals and materials are made and used as we ask, how can these processes and
products become benign by design, eco-effective and “green”?
CHEM 321 Advanced Analytical Chemistry, 4 credits (prerequisites CHEM 320), BNS, Q
T,Th 10:25-11:40 am; Lab Th 1:15-4:15 pm
This course is an in-depth review of the principles of instrumental analysis including calibration methods,
instrument components, signal and noise, sample preparation, and the fundamentals of spectroscopy and
chromatography. Modern instrumentation covered, in theory and practice, include UV-Vis, atomic emission,
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), and infrared spectroscopies, mass spectrometry, gas chromatography, and
high pressure liquid chromatography. The laboratory provides hands-on experience with a variety of calibration
methods, several sample preparation techniques, and a variety of spectroscopic and chromatographic
instrumentation.
ECON 247 Economics of Business and Environmental Sustainability, 4 credits (prerequisites: ECON 101)
M,W,F 1:15-2:20 pm
This course considers the environmental challenges facing business. It will examine business responses to
environmental regulation, competitive advantages of “green” business, consumer demand for green products,
product life cycle analysis, industrial ecology, environmental partnerships between business and non-governmental
organizations, natural capitalism, and business education. Environmental decision-making of both large
corporations and small businesses will be included in the course. The course will include case studies and student
presentations.
Environmental Studies and Sustainability: Spring 2016 Courses
PH 370 Special Topics in Public Health: Medical Geography, 4 credits, Community-Based Learning course
M,W 9:10-10:15 am
Medical Geography is a course that investigates the intersections of health and place. The objectives of the course
are to illuminate the importance of local knowledge on public health, to connect issues in health and wellbeing
across scales, and to demonstrate the ways that geographic methods are relevant in the health sciences, social
sciences, and policy arenas. To achieve these objectives, this course builds on the Community Based Learning (CBL)
curriculum by connecting students to community partners that work globally, nationally, and locally, and whose
missions are to protect and promote human health and wellbeing. Student coursework in Medical Geography over
the semester includes a minimum 18-20 hours of work that directly supports our community partners, which also
involves some participation in off-campus activities.
PSCI 321 International Environmental Policy and Politics, 4 credits, WI
M 4:30-7:00
Environmental issues extend beyond international borders. Because of that, finding effective, enduring solutions
to environmental problems requires engaging the international political arena. Nations enter into global, regional,
and bilateral agreements to address environmental problems they confront. While negotiating the international
political system is important, not much can happen at this level without the consent of participating nations. Thus,
domestic politics plays an important role in international environmental agreements. With this basic dynamic in
mind, this course examines the development of international environmental policies, their effectiveness, their
shortcomings, and prospects for the future.
CHEM 150 Principles of Chemistry I, 4 credits (required for Science Track)
M,W,F 9:10-10:15 am; Lab M 1:15-4:15
CHEM 160/161 Principles of Chemistry II, 4 credits (required for Science Track; prereq: CHEM 150 or 151)
Section 1: M,W,F 10:25-11:30 am; Section 2: M,W,F 9:10-10:15 am
Lab Sections: T,W,Th,F 1:15-4:15 or T 5:30-8:30 pm
BIOL 160 Diversity of Life, 4 credits (recommended as prerequisite for ecology upper level courses)
Section 1: M,W,F 9:10-10:15 am; Section 2: M,W,F 10:25-11:40 am
Lab Sections: M,T,W or Th 1:15-4:15 pm; T 6:30-9:30 pm