ENVS 1101 - Understanding Environment and Sustainability

(crosslisted) NTRES 1101
(BIO-AS) (OPHLS-AG) (CU-SBY)

Fall. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Enrollment preference given to: Arts & Sciences and CALS students planning to complete or are interested in the Environment & Sustainability major.

G. Allington, C. Kraft.

This course examines two fundamental questions about biological, chemical and physical processes that influence the biosphere. First, how do humans obtain knowledge about these environmental processes? Second, how can we assess human influences upon these environmental processes? A key conceptual framework for the course is that environmental science provides tools for predicting future states of the earth’s environment. Case studies, readings, discussions, writing assignments, and group exercises provide a foundation for understanding predictions about how the biosphere is influenced by human activities.

Outcome 1: Identify and weigh sources of information about environmental resources, and use them to evaluate competing claims about sustainability and environmental management efforts.

Outcome 2: Explain how the earth’s resources support ecosystems and humanity.

Outcome 3: Evaluate how cultural context and spatial scale influence environmental resource management options.

Outcome 4: Compare policies and societal norms that influence personal and collective resource use.