Environmental Studies
- Course Descriptions
SBS 100 Environmental ConnectionsAn interdisciplinary introduction to current environmental issues. The course examines the connections we share as people living simultaneously in human community and in physical environments. It explores the challenge of balancing a sustainable society with sustainable ecologies through a different thematic focus each year.
SCI 106 Introductory Meteorology
A survey of the basic principles of Earth’s weather and climate. Topics include winds, fronts, cyclones, clouds and precipitation, thunderstorms, tornados and hurricanes, climate and climate change, global warming, and ozone depletion. (Three one-hour lectures, one two-hour laboratory. Prereq.: MPG 2. Fall, spring)
SWK 210 Environmental Justice and Social Change
This course explores the relationship between environmental damage and damage to human populations, the differential effect of environmental damage on minority populations, and the various ways that minority populations and social workers can mobilize action to correct these injustices. Values, methods and interventions which are conducive to bringing about social and ecological justice will be examined. Roles for social workers at the micro, mezzo and macro levels will be highlighted.
POL 241 Environmental and River Politics
This course explores the politics of the communities and ecosystems of the Upper Mississippi River watershed, including controversies about river pollution, the lock and dam system, regional water supply, flood control, and farming practices. Includes site visits to see how local policy-makers and stakeholders are trying to achieve sustainability in the watershed.
INS 342 River Politics Field Seminar
In this two-week intensive field experience, students will travel by boat down the Mississippi River exploring elements of the politics and policies relating to the river. Students will engage in service projects, field observations, and interviews with residents, legislators, activists, and government employees. (Prereq.: POL 241 or equivalent and passing a water safety test
POL 325 Politics and Public Policy
The domestic policy making process, emphasizing how elected officials, bureaucrats, and interest groups shape government policies in various areas, including taxes, the environment, and social welfare policy. How public policies are formulated and implemented.
POL 341/WST 341 Environmental Politics (CGE)
Explores environmental politics in Latin America from pre-Columbian times to the present. Applies a gender perspective to analyze environmental issues and examines political and economic policies that promote and/or hinder sustainable development.
SOC 381 The City and Metro Urban Planning
Emphasis centers on alternative theories and approaches to planning and shaping metropolitan areas. Readings, simulations, outside speakers, and walking research field trips in a seminar format. (Prereq.: SOC 121 or 211 or consent of instructor. Spring)
ENL 270 Rites of Thematic Passage (Literature and Landscape)
This course traces a specific theme through changing historical, literary, and cultural contexts. Course subjects may include “The Heroic Journey,” “Literature and Landscape,” “Utopian Visions,” and others. Check the departmental Web page for the title of a given section. (Prereq or co-req: ENL 111, or HON 111, or ENL 112)
REL 313/WST 313 Environmental Theology and Ethics (CGE)
An overview of contemporary environmental theology and theologically-based approaches to environmental ethics using case studies of environmental problems in Mexico and Central America. Taught in Mexico during spring semester program.
HIS 316 U.S. Urban Environmental History
This course is a chronological exploration of the nineteenth- and twentieth-century interactions between Americans and the nonhuman world in urban and suburban settings. Topics covered include the commodification of nature, the death of the organic city, political movements organized around nature, ways of knowing nature, environmental justice, environmental health and the human body, and the relationships shared by American culture with nature. Additionally, students will use the insights of U.S. environmental history to explore and write the environmental history of an institution or neighborhood in Minneapolis.
ECO 365 Environmental Economics and Sustainable Development
This course addresses the environmental problems such as tropical deforestation, despoilation of air and water, ozone depletion, and global warming that arise in the process of economic development to better the standard of living of the developed and developing countries. (Prereq.: ECO 112 or 113. Every three years)
INS 399 Internship
Internships place students with sponsoring organizations that provide supervised work experience for a minimum of 10 hours a week.
BIO 151 Introductory Biology
First of a three-semester sequence. An introduction to biology for science majors, including cell and molecular biology, energy metabolism, genetics. BIO 151, 152, and 253 must be taken in sequence except by permission of instructor. (Three hours of lecture, three hours laboratory, some Saturday field trips. Prereq: MPG 3 or concurrent registration in MAT 105, concurrent registration in CHM 105/115. Fall)
BIO 152 Ecology, Evolution, and Diversity
Second of a three-semester introductory sequence. An introduction to evolution, ecology, and biological diversity for science majors. BIO 151, 152, and 253 must be taken in sequence except by permission of instructor. (Three hours of lecture, four hours laboratory. Spring)
BIO 481 Ecology
A study of interactions between organisms and the biotic and abiotic environment. Topics include physiological ecology, energy flow, nutrient cycling, a survey of biomes, population and community ecology, and conservation. (Three hours lecture, four hours laboratory, some Saturday field trips. Prereq.: BIO 253, MPG 4 or MAT 122 or MAT 163 or PSY 215. Fall)
CHM 105 Principles of Chemistry I
Topics in this course include an introduction to matter, chemical change, chemical reactions, chemical bonding, energetics, and equilibrium. The sequence, CHM 105, 106, is designed for students who have not studied chemistry in high school or who are less confident about their background in chemistry. Students may go into CHM 351 or 353 from CHM 106 and major in chemistry. (Three hours of lecture, one three-hour laboratory. Prereq.: MPG
2. Fall)
CHM 106 Principles of Chemistry II
CHM 106 is a continuation of CHM 105 with more emphasis upon equilibrium and the chemistry of the elements. (Three hours of lecture, one three-hour laboratory. Prereq.: CHM 105, MPG 3. Spring)
CHM 115 General Chemistry I
An intensive course for pre-medical students and future chemists. Includes chemical equations and calculations, energetics, and bonding theory with examples from inorganic chemistry. (Three one-hour lectures, one three-hour laboratory. Prereq.: high school chemistry, MPG 4. Fall)
CHM 116 General Chemistry II
A continuation of Chemistry 115. Emphasis on equilibrium and solution chemistry including kinetics and electrochemistry. (Three one-hour lectures, one three-hour laboratory. Prereq.: CHM 115. Spring)
INS 345, INS 346, INS 399
(HECUA environmental sustainability semester, 4 course credits)
SBS 499 Environmental Studies Independent Project (Keystone)