Forests in the Anthropocene
Contributing Units: Forest Resources & Environmental Conservation (CNRE), Science and Technology in Society
(CLAHS), Horticulture (CALS)
THEME/OVERVIEW/PITCH
Human activity has had such an impact on the Earth that we
can be considered one of the great forces of nature. Our
impact has been such that many scientists believe we are
living in a new geological epoch – the Anthropocene. The
world’s forests are the largest terrestrial source of
biodiversity and play an enormous role in our culture and
economy. They have been greatly altered and neither past
experience nor current science can fully inform decision
making for future challenges. This Pathways Minor brings
together diverse perspectives to discuss the impact of
humans on our global forests, and the reciprocal impact on
society. The minor will help to prepare students to solve
challenges that will enable responsible management of our
global forests.
IDENTIFIED COURSES
Introductory
Course
Core Class
Choices
(select 1)
Forests
Society
Technology
Environment
• FOR 1044 Introduction to Environmental Informatics
• Quantitative and Computational Thinking
• FOR 2004 Forest Ecosystems
• Scientific Reasoning
• Social Scientific Reasoning
• Critical Thinking in the Humanities
• Quantitative and Computational Thinking
• Intercultural & Global Awareness
• Ethical Reasoning
1. We are seeking a complementary class in Social Scientific
Reasoning or Critique and Practice in Design and the
Arts. Possible themes could involve governance or data
visualization, but we are very open to suggestions!
2. The capstone class is under development. We anticipate
need resources to support the administration of this
class.
• HORT 2134 (FOR 2134) Plants and Greenspace in
Urban Communities (Scientific Reasoning)
• FOR 2124 Forests, Society & Climate (Social Scientific
Reasoning)
• FOR 2554 (LAR 2554) Nature and American Values
(Critical Thinking in the Humanities)
• FOR 3XXX Climate Science (Scientific Reasoning)
Core Class
• Appropriate Social Scientific Reasoning or Critique and
Practice in Design and the Arts
Core Class
• STS 4304 Contemporary Issues in Humanities, Science,
and Technology
• Critical Thinking in the Humanities
Capstone
• New class involving integrative discussion and projects
CAPSTONE
PATHWAY OUTCOMES
• Scientific Reasoning
NEEDS
CONTACT INFORMATION
Val Thomas ([email protected]) Brian Strahm ([email protected]), Bruce Hull
([email protected]), Evan Brooks ([email protected]), Randy Wynne ([email protected]),
Susan Day ([email protected]), Saul Halfron ([email protected]), Quinn Thomas
([email protected])
• We envision the capstone class as an opportunity to
reflect on the social, scientific, and technological
perspectives of our rapidly change global forests. We
anticipate discussion and problem solving around grand
challenges related to forests. As such, the specific
theme/challenge will evolve as our societal challenges
evolve. Learning outcomes will include the ability to
synthesize, apply, and communicate interdisciplinary
perspectives and approaches to solving global forest
challenges.