Courses

Courses

Fall 2006 Courses

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101. Introduction to Environmental Studies
Lawrence Simon John Lichter DeWitt John T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25
An interdisciplinary introduction to the variety of environmental problems caused by humanity and confronting us today. Provides an overview of the state of scientific knowledge about major environmental problems and potential responses of governments and people, an exploration of environmental issues, both global and regional, and an exploration of why societies often have such difficulty in reaching consensus on effective and equitable policies within existing political and economic institutions. Preference given to first- and second-year students. Required for ES majors.
LAB
John Lichter TH 1:30 - 2:25
An interdisciplinary introduction to the variety of environmental problems caused by humanity and confronting us today. Provides an overview of the state of scientific knowledge about major environmental problems and potential responses of governments and people, an exploration of environmental issues, both global and regional, and an exploration of why societies often have such difficulty in reaching consensus on effective and equitable policies within existing political and economic institutions. Preference given to first- and second-year students. Required for ES majors.
LAB
DeWitt John F 8:30 - 9:25
An interdisciplinary introduction to the variety of environmental problems caused by humanity and confronting us today. Provides an overview of the state of scientific knowledge about major environmental problems and potential responses of governments and people, an exploration of environmental issues, both global and regional, and an exploration of why societies often have such difficulty in reaching consensus on effective and equitable policies within existing political and economic institutions. Preference given to first- and second-year students. Required for ES majors.
LAB
DeWitt John F 9:30 - 10:25
An interdisciplinary introduction to the variety of environmental problems caused by humanity and confronting us today. Provides an overview of the state of scientific knowledge about major environmental problems and potential responses of governments and people, an exploration of environmental issues, both global and regional, and an exploration of why societies often have such difficulty in reaching consensus on effective and equitable policies within existing political and economic institutions. Preference given to first- and second-year students. Required for ES majors.
LAB
Lawrence Simon F 10:30 - 11:25
An interdisciplinary introduction to the variety of environmental problems caused by humanity and confronting us today. Provides an overview of the state of scientific knowledge about major environmental problems and potential responses of governments and people, an exploration of environmental issues, both global and regional, and an exploration of why societies often have such difficulty in reaching consensus on effective and equitable policies within existing political and economic institutions. Preference given to first- and second-year students. Required for ES majors.
LAB
Lawrence Simon F 11:30 - 12:25
An interdisciplinary introduction to the variety of environmental problems caused by humanity and confronting us today. Provides an overview of the state of scientific knowledge about major environmental problems and potential responses of governments and people, an exploration of environmental issues, both global and regional, and an exploration of why societies often have such difficulty in reaching consensus on effective and equitable policies within existing political and economic institutions. Preference given to first- and second-year students. Required for ES majors.
LAB
John Lichter F 1:30 - 2:25
An interdisciplinary introduction to the variety of environmental problems caused by humanity and confronting us today. Provides an overview of the state of scientific knowledge about major environmental problems and potential responses of governments and people, an exploration of environmental issues, both global and regional, and an exploration of why societies often have such difficulty in reaching consensus on effective and equitable policies within existing political and economic institutions. Preference given to first- and second-year students. Required for ES majors.
103. Marine Environmental Geology
Edward Laine M 9:30 - 10:25, W 9:30 - 10:25, F 9:30 - 10:25
An introduction to the aspects of marine geology and oceanography that affect the environment and marine resources. Topics include estuarine oceanography and sediments, eutrophication of coastal waters, primary productivity, waves and tides, sea level history, glacial geology of coastal Maine, and an introduction to plate tectonics. Weekly field trips and labs examine local environmental problems affecting Casco Bay and the Maine coast. Two one-day weekend field excursions are required.
LAB
Cathryn Field W 1:15 - 4:30
An introduction to the aspects of marine geology and oceanography that affect the environment and marine resources. Topics include estuarine oceanography and sediments, eutrophication of coastal waters, primary productivity, waves and tides, sea level history, glacial geology of coastal Maine, and an introduction to plate tectonics. Weekly field trips and labs examine local environmental problems affecting Casco Bay and the Maine coast. Two one-day weekend field excursions are required.
LAB
Cathryn Field TH 1:15 - 4:30
An introduction to the aspects of marine geology and oceanography that affect the environment and marine resources. Topics include estuarine oceanography and sediments, eutrophication of coastal waters, primary productivity, waves and tides, sea level history, glacial geology of coastal Maine, and an introduction to plate tectonics. Weekly field trips and labs examine local environmental problems affecting Casco Bay and the Maine coast. Two one-day weekend field excursions are required.
202. Environmental Policy and Politics
DeWitt John T 2:30 - 3:55, TH 2:30 - 3:55
Examines alternative ways to protect our environment. Analyzes environmental policies and the regulatory regime that has developed in the United States; new approaches such as free-market environmentalism, civic environmentalism, environmental justice, sustainable development; and environmental policies and politics in other countries, especially China. (Same as Government 214.)
215. Behavioral Ecology and Population Biology
Nathaniel Wheelwright T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25
Study of the behavior of animals and plants, and the interactions between organisms and their environment. Topics include population growth and structure, and the influence of competition, predation, and other factors on the behavior, abundance, and distribution of plants and animals. Laboratory sessions, field trips, and research projects emphasize concepts in ecology, evolution and behavior, research techniques, and the natural history of local plants and animals. Optional field trip to the Bowdoin Scientific Station on Kent Island.
LAB
Nancy Olmstead M 1:00 - 4:55
Study of the behavior of animals and plants, and the interactions between organisms and their environment. Topics include population growth and structure, and the influence of competition, predation, and other factors on the behavior, abundance, and distribution of plants and animals. Laboratory sessions, field trips, and research projects emphasize concepts in ecology, evolution and behavior, research techniques, and the natural history of local plants and animals. Optional field trip to the Bowdoin Scientific Station on Kent Island.
LAB
Nancy Olmstead T 1:00 - 4:55
Study of the behavior of animals and plants, and the interactions between organisms and their environment. Topics include population growth and structure, and the influence of competition, predation, and other factors on the behavior, abundance, and distribution of plants and animals. Laboratory sessions, field trips, and research projects emphasize concepts in ecology, evolution and behavior, research techniques, and the natural history of local plants and animals. Optional field trip to the Bowdoin Scientific Station on Kent Island.
219. Biology of Marine Organisms
Amy Johnson M 11:30 - 12:55, W 11:30 - 12:55
The study of the biology and ecology of marine mammals, seabirds, fish, intertidal and subtidal invertebrates, algae, and plankton. Also considers the biogeographic consequences of global and local ocean currents on the evolution and ecology of marine organisms. Laboratories, field trips, and research projects emphasize natural history, functional morphology, and ecology. Lectures and three hours of laboratory or field trip per week. One weekend field trip included.
LAB
Lesley Brown T 1:00 - 4:55
The study of the biology and ecology of marine mammals, seabirds, fish, intertidal and subtidal invertebrates, algae, and plankton. Also considers the biogeographic consequences of global and local ocean currents on the evolution and ecology of marine organisms. Laboratories, field trips, and research projects emphasize natural history, functional morphology, and ecology. Lectures and three hours of laboratory or field trip per week. One weekend field trip included.
LAB
Lesley Brown W 1:00 - 4:55
The study of the biology and ecology of marine mammals, seabirds, fish, intertidal and subtidal invertebrates, algae, and plankton. Also considers the biogeographic consequences of global and local ocean currents on the evolution and ecology of marine organisms. Laboratories, field trips, and research projects emphasize natural history, functional morphology, and ecology. Lectures and three hours of laboratory or field trip per week. One weekend field trip included.
225. Community and Ecosystem Ecology
John Lichter M 10:30 - 11:25, W 10:30 - 11:25, F 10:30 - 11:25
Community ecology is the study of the dynamic patterns in the distribution and abundance of organisms. Ecosystem ecology is the study of the flow of energy and cycling of matter through ecological communities across multiple spatial scales. Explores the multitude of interactions among populations of plants, animals, and microbes, and between those populations and the physical and chemical environment. Topics include the creation and function of biodiversity, the complexity of species interactions in food webs, the role of disturbance in ecosystem processes, the relative magnitude of top-down versus bottom-up controls in ecosystems, and much more. Laboratory sessions consist of local field trips, team research exercises, and independent field research projects. Time is also set aside for discussions of current and classic scientific literature.
LAB
Jaret Reblin T 1:00 - 4:55
Community ecology is the study of the dynamic patterns in the distribution and abundance of organisms. Ecosystem ecology is the study of the flow of energy and cycling of matter through ecological communities across multiple spatial scales. Explores the multitude of interactions among populations of plants, animals, and microbes, and between those populations and the physical and chemical environment. Topics include the creation and function of biodiversity, the complexity of species interactions in food webs, the role of disturbance in ecosystem processes, the relative magnitude of top-down versus bottom-up controls in ecosystems, and much more. Laboratory sessions consist of local field trips, team research exercises, and independent field research projects. Time is also set aside for discussions of current and classic scientific literature.
LAB
Jaret Reblin M 1:00 - 4:55
Community ecology is the study of the dynamic patterns in the distribution and abundance of organisms. Ecosystem ecology is the study of the flow of energy and cycling of matter through ecological communities across multiple spatial scales. Explores the multitude of interactions among populations of plants, animals, and microbes, and between those populations and the physical and chemical environment. Topics include the creation and function of biodiversity, the complexity of species interactions in food webs, the role of disturbance in ecosystem processes, the relative magnitude of top-down versus bottom-up controls in ecosystems, and much more. Laboratory sessions consist of local field trips, team research exercises, and independent field research projects. Time is also set aside for discussions of current and classic scientific literature.
228. Natural Resource Economics and Policy
Guillermo Herrera M 2:30 - 3:55, W 2:30 - 3:55
A study of the economic issues surrounding the existence and use of renewable natural resources (e.g., forestry/land use, fisheries, water, ecosystems, and the effectiveness of antibiotics) and exhaustible resources (such as minerals, fossil fuels, and old growth forest). A basic framework is first developed for determining economically efficient use of resources over time, then extended to consider objectives other than efficiency, as well as the distinguishing biological, ecological, physical, political, and social attributes of each resource. Uncertainty, common property, and various regulatory instruments are discussed, as well as alternatives to government intervention and/or privatization.
232. History of the American West
Connie Chiang M 11:30 - 12:55, W 11:30 - 12:55
Survey of what came to be called the Western United States from the early sixteenth century to the present. Topics include Euro-American relations with Native Americans; the expansion and growth of the federal government into the West; the exploitation of natural resources; the creation of borders and national identities; race, class, and gender relations; the influence of immigration and emigration; violence and criminality; cities and suburbs; and the enduring persistence of the “frontier” myth in American culture. Students write several papers and engage in weekly discussion based upon primary and secondary documents, art, literature, and film.
243. Modern Architecture: 1750 to 2000
Jill Pearlman M 1:00 - 2:25, W 1:00 - 2:25
The course examines major buildings, architects, architectural theories and debates during the modern period, with a strong emphasis on Europe through 1900, and both the U.S. and Europe in the twentieth century. Central issues of concern include: architecture as an important carrier of historical, social, and political meaning; changing ideas of history and progress in built form; and the varied architectural responses to industrialization. While exploring these and other issues, the course also attempts to develop students’ visual acuity and ability to interpret architectural form. Not open to students who have previously enrolled in Environmental Studies 245.
259. Atmospheric Physics
Mark Battle M 11:30 - 12:25, W 11:30 - 12:25, F 11:30 - 12:25
The physics of atmospheres is explored, including treatment of general and local circulation, thermodynamics, cloud formation, radiative transfer, and energy budgets. Meteorology and climatology are also discussed.
280. Plant Responses to the Environment
Barry Logan T 1:00 - 2:25, TH 1:00 - 2:25
Plants can be found growing under remarkably stressful conditions. Even your own backyard poses challenges to plant growth and reproduction. Survival is possible only because of a diverse suite of elegant physiological and morphological adaptations. The physiological ecology of plants from extreme habitats (e.g., tundra, desert, hypersaline) is discussed, along with the responses of plants to environmental factors such as light and temperature. Readings from the primary literature facilitate class discussion. Excursions into the field and laboratory exercises complement class material.
283. Environmental Education
Kara Wooldrik
Examines the role of environmental education within environmental studies while providing students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience within a local elementary school. Students read, research, analyze, discuss, and write about theoretical essays, articles, and books from the field of environmental education, in addition to theoretical material on pedagogy and lesson plans. Topics discussed include: ecological literacy, the historical roots of environmental education, globalization, sustainable education, and policy implications of environmental education. In addition, students teach at least one hour weekly. Students develop lesson plans and reflect on their experience of teaching environmental education lessons.
305. Environmental Fate of Organic Chemicals
Dharanija Vasudevan M 9:30 - 10:25, W 9:30 - 10:25, F 9:30 - 10:25
Over 100,000 synthetic chemicals are currently in daily use. In order to determine the risk posed to humans and ecosystems, we need to understand and anticipate the extent and routes of chemical exposure. This course addresses the fate to organic chemicals following their intentional or unintentional release into the environment - why these chemicals either persist or breakdown and how are they distributed between surface water, ground water, soil, sediments, biota and air. Analysis of chemical structure is used to gain insight into the molecular interactions that determine the various chemical transfer and transformation processes, while emphasizing the quantitative description of these processes. Formerly Chemistry 380/Environmental Studies 380.
365. Picturing Nature
Linda Docherty T 11:30 - 12:55, TH 11:30 - 12:55
Examines images of American nature from the age of discovery to the present day. Views of nature as wilderness, landscape, and environment are studied in historical context. Students work with original paintings, prints, and photographs in the Bowdoin College Museum of Art and Special collections.
392. Advanced Topics in Environmental Philosophy
Lawrence Simon M 2:30 - 3:55, W 2:30 - 3:55
Examines philosophical, moral, political, and policy questions regarding various environmental issues. Possible topics include the ethics of climate change policy, our obligations to future generations, and the relationship between justice and sustainability.

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