Courses

Courses

Spring 2008 Courses

  • Visit Bearings to search for courses by title, instructor, department, and more.
  • Login to Blackboard. Instructional materials are available on a course-by-course basis.
052. The Oceans: An Introduction to Marine Science
Kurt Bretsch T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25
An introduction to the biological, geological, chemical, and physical processes occurring in the world's oceans. Emphasis will be placed on how these processes affect the distribution of marine organisms. Students will also explore historical and contemporary human interactions with the marine environment.

100. Environmental Geology and Hydrology
Peter Lea T 8:30 - 9:55, TH 8:30 - 9:55
An introduction to aspects of geology and hydrology that affect the environment and land use. Topics include watersheds and surface-water quality, groundwater contamination, coastal erosion, and landslides. Weekly labs and field trips examine local environmental problems affecting Maine rivers, lakes, and coast.

201. Perspectives in Environmental Science
John Lichter T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25
Functioning of the earth system is defined by the complex and fascinating interaction of processes within and between four principal spheres: land, air, water, and life. Leverages key principles of environmental chemistry and ecology to unravel the intricate connectedness of natural phenomena and ecosystem function. Fundamental biological and chemical concepts are used to understand the science behind the environmental dilemmas facing societies as a consequence of human activities. Laboratory sessions consist of local field trips, laboratory experiments, group research, case study exercises, and discussions of current and classic scientific literature.

203. Environment and Culture in North American History
Matthew Klingle M 11:30 - 12:55, W 11:30 - 12:55
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.

208. Marine Larval Ecology
Jon Allen M 11:30 - 12:55, W 11:30 - 12:55
Advanced seminar focused on the evolution and ecology of marine invertebrate larvae. Lectures and discussions of the primary literature examine the assumptions and predictions of current life-history theory as applied to marine invertebrate animals and their offspring. Field trips introduce students to the diverse assemblage of larvae along the coast of Maine. Student projects investigate the form and function of larvae as it relates to their ecology and evolution.

210. Plant Physiology
Barry Logan M 8:30 - 9:25, W 8:30 - 9:25, F 8:30 - 9:25
An introduction to the physiological processes that enable plants to grow under the varied conditions found in nature. General topics discussed include the acquisition, transport, and use of water and mineral nutrients, photosynthetic carbon assimilation, and the influence of environmental and hormonal signals on development and morphology. Adaptation and acclimation to extreme environments and other ecophysiological subjects are also discussed. Weekly laboratories reinforce principles discussed in lecture and expose students to modern research techniques.

222. Introduction to Human Population
Nancy Riley T 8:30 - 9:55, TH 8:30 - 9:55
An introduction to the major issues in the study of population. Focuses on the social aspects of the demographic processes of fertility, mortality, and migration. Also examines population change in Western Europe historically, recent demographic changes in Third World countries, population policy, and the social and environmental causes and implications of changes in births, deaths, and migration.

228. Natural Resource Economics and Policy
Guillermo Herrera T 1:00 - 2:25, TH 1:00 - 2:25
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.

245. The Nature of Frank Lloyd Wright
Jill Pearlman M 1:00 - 2:25, W 1:00 - 2:25
An in-depth investigation of the buildings of North America’s most celebrated architect, with emphasis on the major theme of his work—the complex relationship between architecture and nature. Examines Wright’s key projects for a diverse range of environments and regions while also placing the master builder and his works into a larger historical, cultural, and architectural context. Engages in a critical analysis of the rich historical literature that Wright has evoked in recent decades, along with the prolific writings of the architect himself.

250. California Dreamin': A History of the Golden State
Connie Chiang M 2:30 - 3:55, W 2:30 - 3:55
Seminar. Sunshine, beaches, shopping malls, and movie stars are the popular stereotypes of California, but social conflicts and environmental degradation have long tarnished the state’s golden image. Unravels the myth of the California dream by examining the state’s social and environmental history from the end of Mexican rule and the discovery of gold in 1848 to the 2003 election of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Major topics include immigration and racial violence, radical and conservative politics, extractive and high tech industries, environmental disasters, urban, suburban, and rural divides, and California in American popular culture.

264. Energy, Climate, and Air Quality
DeWitt John M 1:00 - 2:25, W 1:00 - 2:25
Examines how the federal government in the United States, as well as states, communities, businesses, and nonprofits, can address climate change and energy issues. Compares American policies and politics with efforts in other countries and examines the links between American policies and efforts in other nations.

267. Coastal Oceanography
Edward Laine T 11:30 - 12:55, TH 11:30 - 12:55
Principles and problems in coastal oceanography, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary inquiry. Topics include circulation and sediment transport within estuaries and on the continental shelf, impact of human systems on the marine environment, and issues and controversies of eutrophication and hypoxia in the coastal environment.

268. African Environmental History
David Gordon T 2:30 - 3:55, TH 2:30 - 3:55
Seminar. Interrogates the myth of a pristine African environment by exploring the long history of human-environment interactions in sub-Saharan Africa. Themes include pre-colonial African environmental ideas, colonialism and the environment, controversies over conservation strategies and the establishment of “game reserves,” globalization of the African environment, African urban environments, and the rise of post-colonial African environmental movements.

357. The Physics of Climate
Mark Battle M 10:30 - 11:25, W 10:30 - 11:25, F 10:30 - 11:25
A rigorous treatment of the Earth’s climate, based on physical principles. Topics include climate feedbacks, sensitivity to perturbations, and the connections between climate and radiative transfer, atmospheric composition and large-scale circulation of the oceans and atmospheres. Anthropogenic climate change will also be studied.

363. Advanced Seminar in International Relations: Law, Politics, and the Search for Justice
Allen Springer T 11:30 - 12:55, TH 11:30 - 12:55
Examines the complex relationship between law and policy in international relations by focusing on two important and rapidly developing areas of international concern: environmental protection and humanitarian rights. Fulfills the ES senior seminar requirement.

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.

390. Sustaining Maine's Northern Forest: Economy, Ecology, and Community
David Vail T 8:30 - 9:55, TH 8:30 - 9:55
A multi-disciplinary exploration of the ecological, economic and social dimensions of Maine's vast Northern Forest- the largest unbroken forest east of the Mississippi. Begins with a historical look at evolution of the forest ecosystem, economy and culture. Topics include Native American settlement, Thoreau's Maine Woods and the tourism tradition, the 19th century "lumber baron" era, and the 20th century "Paper Platation" era. A review of major forces of change is followed by investigation of six sustainable development challenges for the 21st century: sustainable forest management; transformation of land ownership and public access; revitalizing rural communities; creating a world-class tourist destination; renewable energy from Maine's forest region; and responding to Global Warming.

393. Advanced Seminar in Geology
Edward Laine M 2:30 - 3:55, W 2:30 - 3:55
Offers students the opportunity to synthesize work done in geology courses, to critically read and discuss articles, to listen to speakers prominent in the discipline, and to write scientific essays. Specific topic varies by year; possible topics include Global Environmental Changes in the Oceans, Estuaries, and Mountain Belts. The topic for Spring 2008 is Glacial Marine Sedimentation. Required for the major in Geology. Open to junior or senior geology majors or minors, or interdisciplinary majors in geology-chemistry and geology-physics.