Course Description
Interactions between physical systems and human activities, and their effects on environmental quality and sustainability. Geography of population and resource consumption, food production, water and air quality, energy policy, land/biotic resource management.
Athena Title
Resources Society and Environ
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in GEOG 1125E, GEOG 2250H
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall, spring and summer
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Successful completion of this course will provide the following learning outcomes: A basic understanding of biophysical processes that operate in the environment as a response of social and ecological factors due to resource management An appreciation of the diversity of life and the interactions among the elements of the ecosphere to achieve sustainability An awareness of the dynamic nature of the earth's environments, evident across a range of spatial and temporal scales operating on biomes and ecoregions An ability to recognize the reciprocal interactions between human action, modification of their support systems, and past/future global environmental change A greater comprehension of the role of science in the political ecology transactions of the everyday functioning of our environment, and its crucial role in informing social policy decision-making, environmental conflict resolution, peace, and sustainability This course meets the following General Education Abilities, by accomplishing the specific learning objectives listed below: Communicate effectively through writing. This is met by a series of writing assignments that engage critical issues related to the course. Communicate effectively through speech. This is met by oral presentations, discussion leading, role playing activities, and classroom participation. Computer Literacy is addressed through course administration, student-faculty electronic interaction, and data analysis activities and assignments. Critical Thinking is central to the learning objectives of this class, and includes the following elements, which are accomplished through lecture, assignments, break- out discussion activities, and inquiry-based learning efforts: Consider and engage opposing points of view Support a consistent purpose and point of view Assimilate, analyze, and present a body of information Analyze arguments Moral Reasoning (Ethics) is an important element of this course, as it seeks to link an understanding of physical environments with human health and social welfare, as developed through lectures and classroom discussion/inquiry-based learning activities. Recognize the community and the greater common good in addition to individual needs and goals Judge and understand ethical behavior in social applications Apply societal ethics to scientific inquiry
Topical Outline
What are resources? Sustainability and other themes Culture and society Evolution of human/environment relations Environmental systems and energy flows Material cycles Biotic diversity and biomes World population: past, present, and future Demographic transition model LDCs vs. MDCs / Population control Types of natural resources Economic characteristics of natural resources Communal resources Externalities and full-cost pricing The world food problem Types of agricultural systems Soils and soil conservation Agriculture and the environment The energy predicament Non-renewable energy Renewable energy Energy conservation Basic atmospheric properties Climate change and global warming Air pollution / Ozone depletion Water resources and use patterns Watershed management Water pollution and treatment Mineral resources Solid waste management Preserving biodiversity Biodiversity patterns Conservation biology Forest resources Tropical deforestation Parks and wilderness
General Education Core
CORE II: Physical SciencesSyllabus