C050/X050/H090. Environment and Society (3 s.h.) F S. Core: IN; X050: IN and WI.

Prerequisite: For Environmental Studies X050: English C050/R050/C051/H090. For Environmental Studies H090, permission of instructor and special authorization for non-Honors students.

Cross Listed with Geography and Urban Studies C050/X050/H090.

This course emphasizes the human dimensions of the relationship between societies and their natural environments. Students will be introduced to those ecological principles that are necessary to understand cultural, social, political, and economic questions at a variety of geographic scales. The course will consider several global, national, and local issues such as siting of noxious facilities, land use conflicts, equality of access to resources, and environmental justice.

C052. Introduction to the Physical Environment (4 s.h.) F S. Core: SB.

Cross Listed with Geography and Urban Studies C052.

An environmental approach to the study of earth as a globe, earth-sun relations, weather, climate, vegetation, soils, and the hydrosphere. Abundantly illustrated by slides and films, this course brings to life the causal connections among climate, vegetation, and soils. Natural and human-induced climate change, groundwater and surface water management, and soil erosion are among the environmental problems covered. The laboratories provide "hands-on" experience on most topics.

0150. The Urban Environment (3 s.h.) S.

Cross Listed with Geography and Urban Studies 0150.

This course examines the relationship among theory, policy, and the urban environment.  The objective of the course is to study the urban environment not only as a physical landscape or natural ecosystem, but also in relation to political economies ranging from local to global scales.  The course will address issues that continue to challenge urban society, including environmental injustice and racism, degradation of local environmental quality, the impact of local-global relationships on community-scale environments, and the commodification of nature.

0152. U.S. Environmental Policy (3 s.h.)

Cross Listed with Political Science 0152.

An analytical examination of the development and execution of governmental policies in such areas as air and water pollution control, control of atomic energy, and planning of space exploration program.

0155. Environment and Development (3 s.h.)

Prerequisite: Environmental Studies/Geography and Urban Studies C050 or equivalent.

Cross Listed with Geography and Urban Studies 0156.

This course will look at the interaction of human and ecological systems including a historical overview of the impact of human communities on the environment. The initial focus will be on the balance of population and resources including the concept of the commons. Subsequently, the emphasis will shift to environmental impacts from the period of European expansion to the present. Implicit in this perspective are such themes as settlement systems and the environment, environmental factors and conflict, and the need for sustainable systems.

W156. Philosophical Perspectives on the Environment (3 s.h.) Core: WI.

Cross Listed with Philosophy W156.

Just as the question of the relationship of the individual to society is a perpetual concern, so is the question of the relationship of the individual (and society) to the natural environment. This course addresses this latter question. Issues of environmental ethics will constantly be lurking behind the scenes even when not directly at issue. A dominant theme will be the concept of nature itself. It has undergone some amazing changes during its remarkable history, and these will be explored especially from the point of view of recent feminist thinking.

0177. U.S. Environmental History (3 s.h.)

Cross Listed with History 0177.

This course is intended as an introduction to the new field of environmental history, which studies the changing relationships between human beings and the natural world through time. It assumes no background or deeply developed interest in American history, geography, or environmental studies. It presents a general survey for students imagining careers in fields as diverse as law and tourism, communications and chemistry. Our central premise throughout will be that much of the familiar terrain of American history looks very different when seen in its environmental context, and that one can learn a great deal about both history and the environment by studying the two together. We will be approaching American environmental history from at least three different angles. First, we will ask how various human activities have historically depended on and interacted with the natural world. Second, we will trace the shifting attitudes toward nature held by different Americans during various periods of their nation's history. Finally, we will ask how human attitudes and activities have worked together to reshape the American landscape. At the same time, we will be tracing the evolution of environmental politics in the United States, so that the course is also a history of conservation and environmentalism in our nation's political life.

0205. Heritage Management in Archaeology (3 s.h.) S.

Cross Listed with Anthropology 0205.

The United States and other governments of the world have legal mandates to manage cultural resources on behalf of the public. This course focuses on the archaeological component of cultural resources management in the United States and its linkage with environmental and developmental planning. Participants are given a working knowledge of how the system works, and how to work within it as a professional through a series of readings, classroom discussions, and hands-on exercises. Topic coverage includes: relevant legislation; the phased approach to archaeological and historical research; state and federal review procedures; proposal writing; interacting with clients, native peoples, and the public; professional ethics and standards. The nature of heritage management in other countries is considered for comparative purposes and as a way of illuminating the historical, socio-economic, and legal factors that have shaped the practice in the United States.

Note: This course helps to satisfy topical requirements in the Anthropology major and the Environmental Studies major.

0215. The Geographic Basis of Land Use Planning (3 s.h.) S.

Cross Listed with Geography and Urban Studies 0215.

An examination of the forces that influence land use planning in and around America metropolitan regions. Considers economic perspectives (land values), public interest perspectives (zoning subdivision, housing and building codes, redevelopment and renewal programs, etc.), and social perspectives of land use. Also examines separately housing, commercial locations, and industrial development.

0220. Environmental Physiology (3 s.h.) S.

Prerequisite: Anthropology 0125 or permission of instructor.

Cross Listed with Anthropology 0220.

A survey of physiological and biochemical variability in human populations examined as a function of environmental adaptation. Emphasis on the responses of different populations to discernible environmental stresses.

0225. Environmental Law and Regulation (3 s.h.)

This course analyzes how our society protects (or fails to protect) the environment through law and regulation. Students will examine and compare several U.S. environmental laws that are designed to redress environmental damage and to protect the environment. In doing so, they will analyze the relative costs and benefits of various forms of environmental regulation within the context of the American political, administrative, and legal systems. The course focuses on U.S. environmental law, but will also consider the increasingly important field of international environmental law and agreements.

0238. Environmental Problems in Asia (3 s.h.)

Cross Listed with Asian Studies 0238 and Geography and Urban Studies 0238.

Japan is used as an introduction and model for examining environmental issues in several East and Southeast Asian countries. Emphasis is on deforestation, river basin development, urban planning, ecotourism, and the role of non-governmental organizations.

0239. Medical Geography (3 s.h.)

Cross Listed with Geography & Urban Studies 0239.

Medical geography applies concepts and methods from the discipline of geography to study medical and health related events and topics. Medical geography has a close disciplinary tie with epidemiology, biostatistics, medical ecology and medical anthropology, but it is differentiated by its focus on the spatial distributions of health/medical related events. By focusing on geographic scale and the location of health events we can more accurately account for data variability and provide a more accurate representation of a population's health. Throughout the course, we will examine numerous examples of how geographic scale and measurement can influence study results or how health resources or events appear to be distributed. The class will provide a broad introduction to medical geography touching on the topics of disease ecology, geographical information systems for public health, disparities in health and healthcare, and various methods and data sources for analyzing health/medical data.

Note: Medical Geography

0250. Environmental Policy Issues (3 s.h.) F.

Prerequisite: Environmental Studies/Geography and Urban Studies C050 or X050 or permission of the instructor.

Cross Listed with Geography and Urban Studies 0250.

How are environmental policies formulated and implemented in the U.S.? Topics include the role of citizen participation in decision-making, the place of environmental impact assessment, environmental justice and equity, intergovernmental relations, and environmental obligations of the U.S. toward less developed countries.

W252. Problems of Environmental Quality (3 s.h.) S. Core: WI.

Cross Listed with Geography and Urban Studies W252.

Specific environmental problems, especially in the Philadelphia area. Students acting as research teams seek better understanding of such problems and practical solutions to them.

0254. Energy, Resources, and Conservation (3 s.h.) S.

Cross Listed with Geography and Urban Studies 0254.

Vital nonrenewable resources are identified and their global and North American distribution, character, and utilization studied. Special attention to energy sources now in short supply and to benign renewable sources for future needs.

0256. Political Ecology (3 s.h.)

Prerequisite: Environmental Studies/GUS C050 or X050 or permission of instructor.

Cross Listed with Geography and Urban Studies 0256.

Ecological implications of contemporary economic development, with special emphasis on the environmental impacts of economic relations between first and third worlds. Examines policies promoting sustainable development.

0257. Hazards Geography (3 s.h.) F.

Cross Listed with Geography and Urban Studies 0257.

Natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods, and blizzards, and technological hazards such as nuclear accidents, toxic chemical releases, and oil spills are examined within their social, economic, and political contexts.

0262. Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems (3 s.h.) F.

Cross Listed with Geography and Urban Studies 0262.

Introduction to the basic elements of GIS maps as models; raster and vector data structures; relational databases; spatial data acquisition and creation; spatial query and display; thematic mapping; simple overlays and map algebra.

0265. International Environmental Policy (3 s.h.)

Cross Listed with Political Science 0265.

International negotiations and agreements on environmental problems, and comparisons of domestic environmental policy making among selected countries. Special attention to negotiations on atmospheric and oceanic policies, international regulation of nuclear materials, and environmental aspects of international trade agreements.

0280. Special Topics in Environmental Studies (3 s.h.)

Variable offerings on special topics that are not part of the standard roster of courses.

Note: Check with Environmental Studies office and/or web site (www.temple.edu/env-stud) for details.

0290. Internship Environmental Studies (3 s.h.) SS.

Duplicate Course: This course can only be counted one time for Environmental Studies elective credit.
Student gains practical experience by working in a government agency, private industry, or non-governmental organization.

Note: The student’s advisor and/or Environmental Studies Internship Coordinator arrange internship placement and evaluation.

0295. Independent Study Environmental Studies (1 - 3 s.h.) SS.

Duplicate Course: This course can only be counted one time for Environmental Studies elective credit.
Directed reading and research on a specific topic in Environmental Studies agreed to by student and faculty member.

W300. Senior Research Seminar (3 s.h.) S. Core: WI.

Prerequisite: Senior status required.

Students engage in research projects, either as individuals or part of a team. Seminar meetings are devoted to analysis of a small set of readings, common discussion of research issues, and preparation for life beyond the baccalaureate.

Note: Open only to Environmental Studies students.

0317. Seminar in Environmental Archaeology (3 s.h.) F.

Cross Listed with Anthropology 0317.

This course introduces the student to the techniques and disciplines used in conjunction with archaeology to understand the environmental context and paleo-ecology of prehistoric cultures, as well as the nature of the archaeological record itself. Included in this survey are geology, soil and sediment analysis, geomorphology, palynology, ethnobotany and general floral analysis, phytolith analysis, zooarchaeology, and the analysis of blood and other residues found on artifacts. The range of contributions possible from interdisciplinary research will be explored in addition to how to design such research, how to communicate with specialists in other fields, and how to use existing sources of data to solve archaeological problems.

0320. Field Session in Archaeology (3 s.h.) SS.

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

Cross Listed with Anthropology 0320.

Techniques and concepts of field archaeology. Students will be expected to spend the greatest part of the session in the field during the excavation of prehistoric and historic sites.

0321. Methods in Archaeology (3 s.h.) F S SS.

Prerequisite: Recommendations vary depending on course topic. Permission of instructor required.

Cross Listed with Anthropology 0321.

A series of practical, topical courses that deal with aspects of archaeological fieldwork and laboratory analysis. The topic or focus of the course varies by semester and includes: field methods; ceramic analysis; lithic analysis; soils and stratigraphy.

Note: This course qualifies as an Environmental Studies elective only when the subtopic is "Sediments, Soils, and Stratigraphy."

0325. Biocultural Adaptations in Human Populations (3 s.h.) F.

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

An evaluation of adaptation, selection, and ecological concepts as the bases for models integrating human biology and culture, and for explaining change.

W370. Social History of American Medicine (3 s.h.) Core: WI.

(Formerly: W257.)

Cross Listed with History W370.

This course in the history of public health examines the shifting boundaries between public and private medicine, professional authority and personal responsibility, and prevention and therapy from the colonial period into the 20th century. Specific topics include epidemics, environmental concerns, occupational hazards, immigration, and ethnicity.

H394. Honors Special Topics (3 s.h.)

Cross Listed with Religion H394.

This course examines the relationship of human and environmental science to ethical principles. By analyzing case studies that deal with resource sustainability, environmental protection, divergent views of technology and respect for all forms of life, students will assess individual life-styles and alternative visions of the good life on planet earth.

Note: This cross-list is effective only when the topic of the Honors course is Earth Ethics.
[Back] [Top]