Courses in RC Environmental Studies (Division 366) RC Environ. St. 124/Geol. 124/AOSS 124. Environment, People, Resources. (2). (NS). (BS). Human interaction with the environment including the history and politics of environmental change, an introduction to ecology, population and hunger, agriculture, and the exploitation of biological resources. RC Environ. St. 240(320)/RC Interdiv. 240. Big Questions for a Small Planet: Introduction to Environmental Studies. (4). (Excl). This course is an introduction to environmental studies. It surveys geological and ecological processes that support life and global dimensions of the relationship between human societies and and their environments. It also examines the interactions of economics, equity, and resource consumption and evaluates several options for sustainable living. RC Environ. St. 263(353)/RC Nat. Sci. 263/Urban Planning 263. Energy and the Environment. Two and one-half years of high school mathematics, or any college course in mathematics or natural science. (4). (NS). Develops some techniques and concepts of physics, such as the first and second laws of thermodynamics, in order to understand some environmental problems and their possible solution. RC Environ. St. 270/NR&E 270. Our Common Future: Ecology, Economics & Ethics of Sustainable Development. (4). (Excl). An interdisciplinary foundation of the concepts and strategies of sustainability from an ecological, economic, and socio-political perspective. The quest for sustainable development is the most critical, yet challenging, issue of our times. Defining what sustainable development is and how it ought to be accomplished is profoundly influencing government, academics, business, science, and people's culture and livelihoods at the local, national, and global levels. RC Environ. St. 280(360)/Geol. 280. Mineral Resources, Economics, and the Environment. II. (4). (NS). (BS). (QR/2). This course deals with mineral resource-related problems in a complex society. The course discusses the origin, distribution, and remaining supplies of mineral resources in terms of the economic, engineering, political, and environmental factors that govern their recovery, processing, and use. RC Environ. St. 290. Special Topics in Environmental Studies. One introductory course in environmental studies or permission of instructor. (3-4). (Excl). May be repeated for three times for a total of 12 credits. This course features timely environmental issues that are not the focus of existing courses and that complement the offerings of any particular term. Subjects may be interdisciplinary, experimental, or unique to the instructor. RC Environ. St. 291. Special Topics in Environmental Studies. One introductory course in environmental studies. (1-2). (Excl). May be repeated three times, for a total of six credits. This minicourse features timely environmental issues that are not the focus of existing courses and that complement the offerings of any particular term. Subjects may be interdisciplinary, experimental, or unique to the instructor. RC Environ. St. 311. Agriculture, Ecology, and Rural Communities, I. One year of college-level biology or ecology, and permission of instructor. Concurrent enrollment in Environmental Studies 312 is required. (4 in the half-term). (NS). The course is a field-based introduction to ecology, especially as it applies to agricultural ecosystems; to the cultural and environmental history of agriculture, especially in Michigan; and to the current ecological and socio-economic crises in agriculture, especially as they affect biodiversity and the sustainability of rural communities. ES 311 and 312 form a combined field study curriculum; students are required to elect both courses concurrently. RC Environ. St. 312. Agriculture, Ecology, and Rural Communities, II. One year of college-level biology or ecology and permission of instructor. Concurrent enrollment in Environmental Studies 311 is required. (3 in the half-term). (Excl). The course is a field-based introduction to ecology, especially as it applies to agricultural ecosystems; to the cultural and environmental history of agriculture, especially in Michigan; and to the current ecological and socio-economic crises in agriculture, especially as they affect biodiversity and the sustainability of rural communities. ES 311 and 312 form a combined field study curriculum; students are required to elect both courses concurrently. RC Environ. St. 356/NR&E 308. Homeplace: Life in the Huron Valley. (3). (Excl). This course is an interdisciplinary examination of interactions between humans and nature using the Huron Valley as a laboratory. We examine social, biophysical, and humanities influences on our relationship with the environment, and use this study of a particular place as the basis for the discovery of general principles. RC Environ. St. 402. Special Problems in Environmental Studies. Environ. Studies 240. (3). (Excl). May not be repeated for credit. Studies of selected problems in the environment. RC Environ. St. 407. Culture as Environment. Environ. Studies 240. (3). (Excl). An examination of the relation between culture and environment, and the ways in which culture creates environmental attitudes and social proprieties. The course begins with definitions of culture and the history of cultural idealism, and works toward the location of social values within various cultures, including our own. RC Environ. St. 415/RC Nat. Sci. 415. Science and Politics. One college-level science course. (4). (Excl). (BS). Introduction to historical, political, and technical dimensions of policy systems guiding U.S. scientific research and technical development. Examines issues and controversies and social dimensions of scientific knowledge. RC Environ. St. 420. Independent Work in Environmental Studies. Environ. Studies 240 and cognates pertinent to the study. Permission must be granted by Director prior to enrollment. (1-4). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT). May not be repeated four times, for a total of 12 credits. Directed research on critical environmental problems. RC Environ. St. 421. Practicum in Environmental Problems. Environ. Studies 240 and cognates pertinent to the study. Permission must be granted by Director prior to enrollment. (1-4). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT). May not be repeated for credit. Directed research on critical environmental problems. RC Environ. St. 450. Human Values and the Environment. Environ. Studies 240 and junior standing. (3). (Excl). Integration of humanistic and social science perspectives so often lacking in environmental efforts. The interdisciplinary seminar looks at the ways in which culture, values, and the very nature of human beings have shaped our environmental dilemma. This class develops a framework for understanding these dynamics and approaches to reconciling the paradoxes inherent in environmental issues. University of Michigan | College of LS&A | Student Academic Affairs | LS&A Bulletin Index | Department Homepage Queried: 5:52 PM EST on Thu, May 4, 2000 This page maintained by LS&A Academic Information and Publications, 1228 Angell Hall Copyright © 2000 The Regents of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA +1 734 764-1817 Trademarks of the University of Michigan may not be electronically or otherwise altered or separated from this document or used for any non-University purpose.