Environmental Studies
Social Science Division Other Environmental Studies courses are listed under disciplinary headings: Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Political Science, Sociology and Art. Courses marked with an asterisk (*) may be used to partially fulfill Core Requirements.
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SES 102* Society and the
Environment
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An introductory course to study
environmental problems from a
Social Science perspective.
Approach is interdisciplinary,
emphasis is on unquantified
environmental amenities and values
that are necessary for the
formulation of public policy.
On Occasion, 3 Credits
SES 205* Sustainable Cities
- This course explores the
connections between urban growth,
environmental quality, and
environmental reform. Students
study urban land use issues and
various infrastructures like water
and sewage, solid waste, and
transportation. Class projects
address campus environmental
problems.
Spring, 3 Credits
SES 221*
Natural Resource Management
- Geographical Information Systems
are an innovative natural resource
management technology. Students
will learn a GIS software system
and explore its usefulness for
ecological, economic, and cultural
approaches toward resource
management. Case studies will
emphasize coastal zone
management and forestry.
Prerequisite: MAT 101 and GEOG 110.
Fall, 3 Credits
SES 230* Industry and the Environment
- The globalization of industry is creating new environmental problems. After reviewing various theories of industrial location and industrial capitalism, students explore issues of industrial pollution, environmental regulation, trade agreements like GATT and NAFTA, and policies for creating a sustainable industrial base.
Prerequisite: GEOG 102.
Spring, 3 Credits
SES 231* Sustainable Systems - This travel course to Australia will
use classroom lectures and site
visits to introduce the fundamental
concepts and principles of
sustainable energy, agriculture,
forestry, and shelter design. We will
see examples of off-the-grid houses,
mudbrick homes, permaculture
gardens, reforestation projects, and
solar and wind technologies.
Among the topics we will discuss
are passive solar water and air
heating, solar greenhouses,
residential passive cooling, small-
scale hydro and biomass generated
power, and ecological landscape
design with indigenous plants.
Travel Course
On Occasion, 3 Credits
SES 235*
Australian Environmental Issues
- A survey of environmental
problems in the Australian context.
Topics include the history of the
environmental movement in
Australia, air pollution and the crisis
of airborne lead in urban areas,
ocean pollution and the issue of the
Sydney sewerage overflow, the
destruction of coastal rainforests
and the struggle to save them, issues
of natural resource use and
management, land conservation and
the evolution of the national parks
system, atomic testing in the South
Pacific and nuclear waste dumping
in South Australia, and
desertification and overgrazing.
Students will visit environmental
centers in the region including the
Rainforest Information Network and
the School of Australian
Environmental Studies at Griffith
University in Brisbane.
Travel Course
On Occasion, 3 Credits
SES 237*
The Natural Environment of Australia
- A travel course that focuses on the
diverse and unique ecology of
Australia. Among the places we will
visit are coastal and inland national
parks, Queensland rainforest and the
Great Barrier Reef, the outback
semi-desert and western plains
prairie environments, and the high
tableland of New England. Topics
covered by lectures and field tours
will include tropical and subtropical
flora and fauna, the wildlife of
Australia as observed at the Western
Plains Free Range Preserve, and the
Corrumbin Wildlife. Students will
camp at a number of national parks,
climb Mount Warning, and visit the
Siding Spring Observatory and the
University of New England's
Department of Ecosystem
Management.
Travel Course
On Occasion, 3 Credits
SES 241*
Grassroots Environmental Advocacy
- Students will be introduced to the
administrative and programmatic
functions of nonprofit
environmental advocacy
organizations and learn the
techniques and resources which help
these organizations establish a
mission, identify and accomplish
their goals, raise funds, activate the
community, and "watchdog" the
actions of government.
Spring, 3 Credits
SES 242* (ES 242*)
State Environmental Process
- This course provides students with a
working knowledge of key laws,
rules, regulations, and the political
power structure which impact
environmental decision-making
across the state. Using local issues
as a backdrop, students will study
and critique major environmental
regulations including the State
Environmental Quality Review Act,
state-wide and local wetlands
responsibilities conveyed to local
town and village government.
Fall, 3 Credits
SES 300/400
Environmental Topics
- This course will focus on specific topics in Environmental Studies.
On Occasion, 3 Credits
SES 350*
Citizen Activism: Theory and Practice
- Through political theories and case
studies this class critically examines
the role of interest groups and social
movements in environmental
politics. Historical and cross-
cultural case studies are used to
understand the significance and
political dynamics of diverse
movements like preservationists,
environmentalism, environmental
justice, eco-feminism, wise-use, and
green parties.
Prerequisites: Two 200-level SES or POLI courses.
Fall, 3 Credits
SES 355
Seminar: Traditions of Environmental Thought
- Environmental Thought
Environmentalism has a long
intellectual history with several
distinct traditions. Students read and
critique major environmental
writers like Malthus, Thoreau,
Leopold, Schumacher, and Carson.
Radical traditions like anarchism
and socialism are also reviewed. In
class, students lead discussions of
these seminal authors.
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior status.
Spring, 3 Credits
SES 361*
Australian Alternative Agriculture
- This course mixes formal lectures
with hands-on experience in the
garden. Students will learn about the
concepts, principles and practical
aspects of organic approaches
common in Australia's hot-dry, hot-
wet, and temperate regions.
Australian biodynamics, agro-
forestry, and permaculture will be
emphasized. Fundamentals of sub-
tropical, bio-intensive gardens and
small organic farms will be learned
through extensive work in the class
garden. In addition to studying
compost making, double-digging,
raised beds, tool use, the role of the
shade house, mulching, and
polycultural growing we will see
how the distinct soil and climate of
the region influence the specific
practices of ecologically adapted
farming.
Travel Course
On Occasion, 3 Credits
SES 395*
Global Environment
- The study of international relations
from an environmental perspective
and an analysis of efforts by the
United Nations in improving the
human environment.
Prerequisite:
POLI 101 or
POLI 102
or permission of instructor.
On Occasion, 3 Credits
 
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