Environmental Studies and Sustainability - Fall 2016 Course Offerings - Drew University
ESS CORE COURSES
ESS 101 / Introduction to Environmental Geology - Prof. David Jaquish MW 10:25-11:40; lab W 1:15-4:15
[BNS] Humans interact with the Earth in many ways: we use natural resources, experience natural hazards, and design
geoengineering techniques that modify natural processes. In this course, we consider how a diversity of human activities
affects our environment, and how a diversity of natural processes affects humans. These topics will help us delve into
the meaning of "sustainability" from the perspective of Earth scientists. We will use the modern and historic New Jersey
landscape as a case study, but we will also discuss topics such as mountaintop removal in the Appalachians, earthquakes
in Indonesia, and water usage in the Western US. Students will learn basic Earth science concepts, techniques for field
scientists, methods of data analysis and presentation, and skills for effectively teasing apart complex environmental
issues. Taught every fall semester.
BIOL 150 / Ecology and Evolution – Prof. Caroline Maier (section 1) and Prof. Sara Webb (section 2)
MWF 10:25-11:30 (section 1) or MWF 11:50-12:55 (section 2); plus lab 1:15-4:15 either T,W,Th or F
[BNS] [Q] [WM for ESS majors who earn exemption from ESS 215/Environmental Science]
An exploration of evolutionary and ecological processes and consequences, with close examination of population
dynamics, population genetics, principles of heredity, the evolution of adaptations, community interactions, ecosystems,
and biodiversity. Laboratory includes field-based investigations of upland and wetland ecosystems, as well as
simulations and laboratory experiments. Taught every fall semester.
ESS 210 / Environment, Society and Sustainability – Professor Lisa Jordan
MW 11:50-1:05
[BSS][BI] This course examines the relationship of human society to the natural environment from the perspective of
sustainability, defined as meeting the needs of the present generation while preserving the ability of future generations
to meet their needs. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, we will consider how values, paradigms, policies, technologies,
and their intricate interactions determine our current unsustainable relationship with nature, and we will explore
proposals for moving society in an environmentally sustainable direction. Taught every fall semester.
ESS 302 / Geographic Information Systems – Professor Lisa Jordan
TTh 9:00-10:15
[Q] [BI] - Core course required for ESS major; elective for biology students and ESS minor. Not open to first-year
students. 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 – Professor Summer Harrison,
TTh 10:25-11:40
[WI] [CAP] Seniors in the environmental studies program will come together to investigate environmental and
sustainability issues from diverse perspectives using a variety of methodologies. The course will emphasize critical
thinking and the ability to synthesize material from a broad variety of sources and disciplines to solve current problems
related to the environment and sustainability. Prerequisite: ESS 215 and ESS 210.
CHEM 150 or 151 / Principles of Chemistry I - Multiple instructors
MWF 8:00-9:00 (section 1) or MWF 10:25-11:30 (section 2); plus lab
[BNS][Q] An introduction to the fundamental principles of chemistry as a quantitative science, including inorganic
reactions, properties of gases, liquids, and solids, thermochemistry, atomic theory, and nuclear chemistry. Appropriate
for those with little or no background in chemistry. Taught every fall semester. Required for Environmental Science
track; elective for other ESS majors
ESS ELECTIVE COURSES
ANTH 202 / Ecological Anthropology –Professor Marc Boglioli
WF 2:40-3:55 pm
[BI][DIT] An interdisciplinary course that draws on data and theory from cultural and biological perspectives in
anthropology and from environmental studies to question and examine the relationship of humans and the
environment. Through comparisons of human cultural and biological adaptations to physical environments of the past
and present, students gain a unique perspective on our impact on, relationship with, and place within the natural world.
ESS 281/ENGL 206 / Nature Writing - Prof. Summer Harrison
MW 1:15-2:30
[WI][DH][DUS] This course examines key texts in the tradition of writing about the natural world. Focusing on creative
non-fiction by 20th/21st century U.S. writers, as well as some fiction and poetry, the course explores such questions as:
What is “nature”? What is the role of writing in the human relationship with the environment? How do race, gender,
and class impact perspectives on nature? In this blended literature/creative writing course, students will use close
reading strategies, along with an examination of historical and biographical context, to better understand these texts’
contributions to nature writing and then write their own creative non-fiction.
ESS 381/ENGL 306 / Food Justice and US Literature CBL - Prof. Summer Harrison TTh 9:00-10:15
[CBL/OFFC][DUS][BH] This course examines the intersection of food, justice, and 20th century U.S. literature in order to
understand how ideas about food’s biological, environmental, and social meanings have shaped and been shaped by
traditions of American writing and discourses of race, class, gender, and citizenship. Using a broad range of creative,
informational, and critical texts, students explore urgent issues like farmworkers’ rights, food insecurity, animal ethics,
advertising, cultural foodways, globalization, and food justice/sovereignty. This is a Community-Based Learning course
that combines academic and experiential learning as students investigate local food needs and participate in local efforts
promoting food justice.
BIOL 324 / Forest Ecology – Professor Sara Webb
TTh 11:50-1:05; Lab T 1:15-4:15
The study of forest ecosystems: their structure, composition, functional dynamics, history, biotic and abiotic influences,
and vulnerability. This course builds skills with scientific literature, vegetation sampling, tree identification, landscape
interpretation, and analysis of ecological data. Includes field trips to diverse upland and wetland forests, intensive study
of the Drew University Forest Preserve, and research projects. Prerequisite: BIOL 150.
BIOL 308 / Conservation Biology – Professor Elena Tartaglia
MF 2:40-3:55
An exploration of the major principles of conservation biology-the study of maintaining biological diversity. We will
examine the foundations of conservation biology, its biological concepts (principles and theories), and the applications
of such concepts to preserving biodiversity. This course emphasizes the application of evolutionary and ecological theory
to the preservation of threatened species, but also considers economic, political and philosophical perspectives.
Classroom activities will facilitate understanding of the principles of conservation biology, and field trips will provide
direct exposure to the practice of conservation biology. Appropriate for students in biology and environmental studies.
Prerequisite: BIOL 150 or BIOL 160, or permission of instructor.
CHEM 320 / Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry – Professor Juliette Lantz
TTh 9:00-10:15; T 1:15-4:15
[BNS][Q] A study of the principles of quantitative analytical chemistry, including error analysis and statistics, multiple
equilibrium, electrochemistry, and introduction to spectroscopic methods, and an advanced study of acids and bases in
aqueous solutions. Laboratory includes titrimetry, spectrophotometry, and electroanalytical methods. Prerequisite:
CHEM 160 or 161.
PSCI 256 / Selected Topics in IR: Environmental Security and Climate Change – Professor Tim Carter
MW 11:50-1:05 [BSS][DVIT] This course will provide students with the background and conceptual tools necessary
for understanding contemporary climate change and its effects on a variety of social and political phenomena. The
first section of the course will introduce the science of climate change, the political origins of debates surrounding
it, and historical examples, including the Little Ice Age. The second and third sections will examine recent episodes
of economic and political conflict driven by climate change, the role of weather and climate in war, and
international efforts to address the causes of climate change. Particular attention will be devoted to examining the
social, economic, and political consequences of climate change in Africa, the Arctic, and the Middle East.