This course examines theories about how human society impacts the natural world through economic, political, and social systems.
- Students will effectively analyze the complexity of human behavior, and how historical, economic, political, social, or geographic relationships develop, persist, or change.
The Battle for Yellowstone, by Justin Farrell
Up to Heaven and Down to Hell, by Colin Jerolmack
Merchants of Doubt, by Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway
The Silicon Valley of Dreams, by David Pellow and Lisa Park
Parks for Profit, by Kevin Loughran
20% Participation and Performance
20% Current Event Assignment
30% Mid-Course Paper
30% Final Exam
Students are expected to attend all classes. Because of the difficulties we all face in life, I am allowing students to miss three classes without excuse and without penalty. After three absences, students will lose participation points exponentially for further absences, unless I receive a request from the Dean of Students for lenience.
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.
This is a Core IMPACTS course that is part of the Social Sciences area.
Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help master course content, and support students’ broad academic and career goals.
This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question:
- How do I understand human experiences and connections?
Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following Learning Outcome:
- Students will effectively analyze the complexity of human behavior, and how historical, economic, political, social, or geographic relationships develop, persist, or change.
Course content, activities and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies:
- Intercultural Competence
- Perspective-Taking
- Persuasion