Analyze problems in nature-society relationships by exploring geographic theory surrounding environmental politics, surveying local and global actors in these conflicts, and addressing varied contemporary issues in resource management.
An exploration and analysis of the historical development of perceptions and worldviews about the environment and the natural world using the United States as a case study.
Demographic perspective on human populations. Introduction to population processes of fertility, mortality, migration. Analysis of global patterns of demographic processes and the relation of culture to population growth and decline.
Prerequisite: ECON 205. Students will examine the strengths and weaknesses of economic theory in analyzing the seriousness of resource and environmental issues facing society.
Concurrent prerequisite: ENST 100. Theory and practice about creating local resilience in communities through sustainable urban agriculture.
Concurrent prerequisite: ENST 100. Theory and practice about Permaculture as a natural and sociological design science for sustainable living and agriculture.
Prerequisite: GEOG 220 or GEOG 230. Examine selected environmental issues, including climate change, environmental degradation, and resource depletion, focusing on the physical processes underlying these problems and how human activities contribute to environmental problems.
Discussion of the relationships of environmental pollution to the ecosystem and health of humans. Analyze major areas of environmental pollution: water, air, solid wastes, pesticides, radioactive wastes and population.
Prerequisite: ECON 205, or any 300- or 400-level ECON course. Examination of economic principles governing water planning, development and law. Discussion of supply and demand, quality and political issues. Relationship to Colorado and local situation.
Concurrent prerequisite: ENST 100. Understand the role of the individual and groups in building civic agency and capacity building to effect positive societal change for sustainable development.
Explore human relationships with nature writing from various periods and cultures. Economic, scientific, philosophic and religious attitudes emerge from attitudes about nature. Do these influence human treatment of natural things?
Concurrent prerequisite: ENST 100. This course examines the dominant trends and challenges affecting energy systems and policy around the world, including the evolution and economics of fossil fuels, alternative energy technologies, and clean energy policies.
Examine the sustainability of contemporary living patterns. Explore alternative approaches to meeting transportation, domestic power and heating, food production and waste disposal needs on the personal and community levels.
Investigate and participate in the process of art as it relates to the different environments of human existence.
Prerequisite: ENST 100 or ENST 215 or permission of the instructor. Exploration of human perception as it adapts to the built environment, including theories of environmental psychology.
Prerequisite: ENST 100 or consent of instructor. Exploration of materials used in the built environment including: Properties and characteristics of a material, sustainable features, history of use, fabrication process, common uses for the material, and installation methods.
Prerequisite: ENST 100 or permission of the instructor. Exploration of the built environment including the characteristics of sustainability in: site selection, recyclable and renewable resources, embodied energy, building materials, and indoor air quality.