As environmental stewards, it is critical that we cultivate a deeper understanding of global environmental issues, while considering the social implications of the strategies used to address these issues. Communities around the world are faced with environmental issues such as an influx of pollutants, loss of habitat and biodiversity, increasing health issues and changing climates. Strategies to address these issues may be effective but might lead to environmental injustices.
This 400 level course provides a forum for students to culminate their Sterling classroom and field experiences by exploring global issues through both social and ecological lens. As humans attempt to address global environmental issues, are we cognizant of environmental justice implications? Can we protect biodiversity, restore ecosystems, and/or develop sustainable communities without impacts to others?
As a seminar, discussion is pivotal to this course and will be facilitated by both the instructor, as well as students. To culminate the semester, students will pursue individual research projects which they will present to the class. We will use a variety of resources as we explore global environmental issues and environmental justice (historic and contemporary maps, activist art, academic articles, guest speakers, and field trips).
Course Faculty
Farley Brown
Farley has had a connection to the land since she was young, through her family business, the Farley Lumber Company, and exploring the woods in the suburbs of New Jersey….