Human Ecology - Syllabus

Lexington Community College BIO 102-HUMAN ECOLOGY Spring 2003 Course Syllabus
Introduction to Environmental Science
Scientific Method
Physical laws of matter
Physical laws of energy
Ecosystems: energy flow
Ecosystems: nutrient flow
Ecosystems: nutrient flow
Communities: distribution and abundance
Communities: species interactions
Biomes
Population growth; Evolution
Human populations
Human health and disease
The value of biodiversity
Threats to biodiversity
Managing natural areas
Food resources: sources of food, fisheries
Food resources: agriculture
Environmental impacts of agriculture: soil resources
Environmental impacts of agriculture: water resources1
Pest control
Energy resources: fossil fuels
Energy resources: nuclear power
Renewable energy resources
Renewable energy resources
Patterns of energy use and conservation
Energy & Water Use
Atmospheric resources: air pollution
Atmospheric resources: climate change

EXPLANATION IN ANTHROPOLOGY AND HUMAN ECOLOGY
Spring 2003 Bonnie J. McCay and Andrew P. Vayda Department of Human Ecology
Rutgers University Syllabus and Reading List
The course will be devoted to analysis of modes of explanation found in studies in anthropology (including socio-cultural and evolutionary anthropology) and in human ecology, withconsideration of such issues and topics as causal vs. non-causal explanations; holism andindividualism; essentialism; explaining actions by referring to mental events; norms and traditions as explanatory factors and as objects of explanation; unintended consequences asobjects of explanation; naive functionalism in cost/benefit explanations; the explanatory role ofgeneralizations; the explanatory use of narratives; the relation between "processes" and "events"in explanations; counterfactual questions and explanatory relativity; "how-possibly" vs. "why-actually" explanations; and the usability of the same modes of explanation for behavior indifferent cultures and different periods.

EDU 320 - Human Ecology and Education
State University of New York - Plattsburgh, New York
Center for Educational Studies and Services
Dr. Mark Beatham
Course Description:

Explore global context of environmental issues and various cultural educational practices. Develop awareness of ways culture ‘patterns’ relationships with the natural world, and how these patterns affect ecological health. Will compare and contrast Western and non-Western ecological relationships, and explore alternatives.

Objectives: The student will:

    1.    examine key global environmental issues
    2.    examine critical role of technology in understanding and addressing ecological issues
    3.    understand the essential interrelationship of cultural thought/language and social
           behaviors, and compare across cultures
    4.    critically evaluate educational models, according to essential ecological criteria
    5.    contrast Bateson’s “systemic thought” model with traditional Western epistemology
    6.    reassess own culture’s “terms with the environment”

Course Content:
    I.    Introduction to Global Environmental Issues
        A.    Selected environmental issues
        B.    Key terms and concepts
        C.    Global and local perspectives

    II.    Technology and the Environment
        A.    Definitions of technology
        B.    Historical impacts of technology: environment
        C.    Historical impacts of technology: human culture

    III.    Language/Thought/Culture Connection and Education
        A.    Cultural representations and the environment
        B.    Gender issues and the environment
        C.    School culture and the environment

    IV.    Exploring Educational Alternatives
        A.    Bateson and the “language of connection”
        B.    Eco-feminist alternatives
        C.    Other philosophies

Selected Bibliography:

Ascher, C. (1987). Selling to ms. consumer. In D. Lazere (Ed.) American media and mass culture: Left perspectives (pp. 43-52). Los Angeles: University of California Press.

Bateson, G. (1972). Steps to an ecology of mind. London: Aronson.

Berman, M. (1979). Reenchantment of the world. New York: Bantam.

Berry, W. (1987). Home economics. San Francisco: North Point.

Berry, W. (1972). A continuous harmony: Essay cultural and agricultural. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Bowers, C.A. (1993). Education, cultural myths, and the ecological crisis: Toward deep changes. Albany, NY: SUNY Press.

Dewey, J. (1944). Democracy and education. New York: Free Press.

Evernden, N. (1987). The natural alien: Humankind and environment. Toronto: University of Toronto.

Heidegger, M. (1962). Being and time. (N. Verlag, Trans.) New York: Harper and Row.

Highwater, J. (1981). The primal mind: Vision and reality in Indian America. New York: Meridian.

Leopold, A. (1966). A sand county almanac. New York: Ballantine.

McKibben, B. (1991). The age of missing information. New York: Harper and Row.

Merchant, C. (1980). The death of nature: Women, ecology, and the scientific revolution. New York: Harper and Row.

Milbrath, L.W. (1989). Envisioning a sustainable society: Learning our way out. Albany, NY: SUNY Press.

Neihardt, J.G. (1961). Black Elk speaks: Being the life story of a holy man of the Oglala Sioux. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska.

Orr, D. (1992). Ecological literacy: Education and the transition to a postmodern world. Albany, NY: SUNY Press.

Owens, L. (Ed.). (1981). Works of Henry David Thoreau. New York: Crown.

Postman, N. (1985). Amusing ourselves to death: Public discourse in the age of show business. New York: Penguin.

Schumacher, E.F. (1973). Small is beautiful: Economics as if people mattered. New York: Harper and Row.

Sontag, S. (1973). On photography. New York: Noonday.

Smith, G.A. (1992). Education and the environment: Learning to live with limits. Albany, NY: SUNY.

Willers, B. (Ed.). (1991). Learning to listen to the land. Washington, DC: Island.

LEXINGTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Human Ecology - Course Syllabus - Semester Spring 2004

Course Description:
A study of the interrelationships of man, populations, space, energy, food, mineral resources, and other life on earth. Not for life science majors.

COURSE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
Learning outcome: Students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the basic ecological principles
and major environmental issues as presented in this class.
Basic Ecological Principles:
· the hierarchical organization of the biosphere
· energy as the common denominator of life
· biogeochemical cycles
· physical aspects of the environment as determinants of species distribution
· population growth and evolution
· species interactions
· community development, diversity, and succession
Major Environmental Issues:
· human population growth
· air and water pollution
· impacts of agriculture and pest control
· preservation of species and ecosystem diversity
· global climate change
· traditional versus alternative energy resources
· waste management
· resource management
Instructional Materials:
Required text: Raven & Berg, Environment, John Wiley, 4th Edition, 2004. Review questions and scantron forms for exams are shrink-wrapped together and available at
the LCC Bookstore.

BIO 102 - COURSE OUTLINE
DATE TOPIC READING ASSIGNMENT
R 1/15 Environmental attitudes & impact Chap. 1
T 1/20 Solving environmental problems Chap. 2
R 1/22 History of environmental problems Chap. 3
T 1/27 Video: “Alien Invasion,” 10 pts.
R 1/29 Ecosystems and energy Chap. 4
T 2/3 Ecosystems and living organisms Chap. 5
R 2/5 Ecosystems and living organisms Chap. 5
T 2/10 Exam 1, 100 pts.
R 2/12 Ecosystems and physical environment Chap. 6
T 2/17 Biomes group work, 20 pts. Chap. 7
R 2/19 Aquatic ecosystems Chap. 7
T 2/24 Population growth and problems Chap. 8
R 2/26 Video: “Six Billion & Beyond,” 10 pts.
T 3/2 Biodiversity and conservation Chap. 16
R 3/4 Exam 2, 100 pts.
T 3/9 Fossil fuels Chap. 10
R 3/11 Nuclear energy Chap. 11 & Appendix 1
T 3/23 Alternative energy group work, 20 pts. Chap. 12
R 3/25 Water resources & pollution Chap. 13 & 21
T 3/30 Video: “An American Nile,” 10 pts.
R 4/1 Soil resources Chap. 14
T 4/6 Exam 3, 100 pts.
R 4/8 Land management Chap. 17
T 4/13 Agriculture Chap. 18
R 4/15 Video: “Earth on Edge,” 10 pts.
T 4/20 Air pollution Chap. 19
R 4/22 Global atmospheric changes Chap. 20
T 4/27 Pesticides Chap. 22
R 4/29 Solid and hazardous wastes Chap. 23

Human Ecology - Pagano, Biagio - Park University
Syllabus - BI 301 - KC Accelerated - Independence Fall II 2004

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course examines the relationship of humans to their biological environment. Strong emphasis is placed on the damage the planet is incurring due to the activities of humankind and what needs to be accomplished to counteract environmental degradation. Examples of topics include population growth and resource consumption, stratospheric ozone depletion, air pollution, human induced climate change, biological diversity, solid and hazardous waste, water resources, economic and cultural patterns affecting the environment, how ecological systems function and sustainable initiatives.

Course Objectives: After completing Human Ecology, the student should be able to:

Define ecology and some of its basic principles, such as the life support systems of the planet, functions of ecosystems, first and second laws of thermodynamics, food webs, biological diversity, biogeochemical cycles, biological magnification and the greenhouse effect.

Describe exponential population growth and it’s implications for human and environmental health and how it can be stabilized.

Describe the limitations inherent in the consumption of finite resources like fossil fuels, uranium and metals.

Describe the value of biological diversity, the implications of species extinction and corrective measures.

Quantify the advantages and disadvantages of the various sources of energy, both renewable and nonrenewable.

Identify the sources, the impact, and the solutions of water and air pollution, as well as, solid and hazardous waste production.

Define “developing an environmental ethic” and “sustainable solutions” and list the advantages of these concepts.

Describe the implications associated with human induced climate change and loss of stratospheric ozone, as well as, required solutions.

Outline the most effective ways to bring about sustainable changes through social, political, economic policies and through individual initiatives.

COURSE TEXTBOOK(S): G. Tyler Miller, Jr. Sustaining the Earth: An Integrated Approach, Sixth Edition. Thomson, Brooks/Cole, 2004, ISBN# 0-534-40086-8

COURSE TOPICS/DATES/ASSIGNMENTS:

Overview of Course and Environmental Issues.

Science, Matter, Energy and Ecosystems (Chapt.2)

Environmental Problems and Their Causes (Chapt. 1)

The Human Population (Chapt. 5)

Energy (Chapt. 6)

Biodiversity (Chapts. 7,8,9)

Risk, Toxicology and Human Health (Chapt. 10)

Climate Change, Ozone Depletion and Air Pollution (Chapt. 11)

Water Resources and Pollution (Chapt. 12)

Solid and Hazardous Waste (Chapt. 13)

Environmental Economics, Politics and Worldviews (Chapt. 14)