Carleton College

ENTS 112. Conservation Biology The current global rate of extinction of species is probably unprecedented in the history of the world, and the rate will increase dramatically in the coming decades. Conservation biology is a new synthetic discipline that emerged in the early 1980s to simultaneously address the scientific and social dimension of biodiversity conservation. The course presents an overview of the founding principles of conservation biology by examining the historic and present-day causes of species extinction, the biological bases central to species conservation, and the social dimension of conservation for sustainable management of biological diversity. 6 cr., MS; NE, Not offered in 2011-2012.

ENTS 120. Introduction to Geospatial Analysis Spatial data analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, global positioning, and related technologies are increasingly important for understanding and analyzing a wide range of biophysical, social, and economic phenomena. This course serves as an overview and introduction to the concepts, algorithms, issues, and methods in describing, analyzing, and modeling geospatial data over a range of application areas. 6 cr., MS; SI, QRE, Winter—T. Nega

ENTS 180. Basic Principles of Sustainable Design A holistic and integrated look at the fundamental and interdependent aspects of architecture and sustainable design, the impacts our buildings and choices have on the environment and ecology of the planet, and what we can do to mitigate those impacts. This course will provide students with a basic holistic knowledge of microclimate and siting, energy and resource efficiency, water, waste reduction, materials, and biological influences in sustainable design. 6 cr., ND; NE, Not offered in 2011-2012.

ENTS 200. Food and Agriculture The production and consumption of food is a seemingly mundane activity in our lives. Yet, how we respond to food and our consumptive practices mirror our sense of place, our capacity for self-control, our health, the ways in which we impact the world food production system, and the natural environment. In this course, students will study modern agro-food systems and their social and ecological impacts in Ethiopia. The group will visit various sites throughout the program, including large and small scale farms, agro-forestry systems, and examples of urban agriculture. 6 cr., SS; NE, Spring—T. Nega

ENTS 215. Environmental Ethics This course is an introduction to the central ethical debates in environmental policy and practice, as well as some of the major traditions of environmental thought. It investigates such questions as whether we can have moral duties towards animals, ecosystems, or future generations; what is the ethical basis for wilderness preservation; and what is the relationship between environmentalism and social justice. 6 cr., ND; HI, Fall—K. Smith

ENTS 232. Research Methods in Environmental Studies This course covers various methodologies that are used to prosecute interdisciplinary academic research relating to the environment. Among the topics covered are: identification of a research question, methods of analysis, hypothesis testing, and effective rhetorical methods, both oral and written. 3 cr., ND; FSR, QRE, Winter—M. Kanazawa

ENTS 244. Biodiversity Conservation and Development How can the need for intensive human social and economic development be reconciled with the conservation of biodiversity? This course explores the wide range of actions that people take at a local, national, and international level to address this question. We will use political ecology and conservation biology as theoretical frameworks to examine the role of traditional and indigenous approaches to biodiversity conservation as well as contemporary debates about integrated conservation development across a spectrum of cultures in North America, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. 6 cr., SS; SI, IS, QRE, Fall—T. Nega

ENTS 245. Field Investigation of Biodiversity Conservation and Development This course is the second part of a two-term course sequence beginning with Environmental and Technology Studies 244. The first part of the course consists of a two-week field trip to Tanzania investigating the relationship between biodiversity conservation efforts and meeting the livelihood of local communities. The course will conclude on campus, meeting once a week to enable students to analyze, write a report, and give oral presentation on topics chosen fall term and researched during the field trip. Prerequisite: Environmental and Technology Studies 244. 6 cr., SS; SI, IS, QRE, Not offered in 2011-2012.

ENTS 254. Topics in Landscape Ecology Landscape ecology is an interdisciplinary field that combines the spatial approach of the geographer with the functional approach of the ecologist to understand the ways in which landscape composition and structure affects ecological processes, species abundance, and distribution. Topics include collecting and referencing spatial data at broad scales, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), landscape metrics, simulating change in landscape pattern, landscape connectivity and meta-population dynamics, and reserve design. Prerequisites: Biology 125 and 126. 6 cr., MS; SI, QRE, Spring—T. Nega

ENTS 260. Comparative Agroecology As the world human population continues to expand, while at the same time the arable land base and fossil fuel supply shrink, the need for a sustainable food system is imperative. This course explores factors influencing food production and distribution at both local and national levels, with an eye towards how these factors affect choices made by the ultimate stewards of the land--the farmers. While the course focuses on the scientific aspects of agroecosystem sustainability, comparisons will be made among various production models both in the U.S. and China, bringing in social, economic and policy issues. Prerequisites: Biology 125 or 126 or Chemistry 123 or 128 or Geology 110 or 120 and permission of the instructor. This course is part of the OCS winter break China program, involving two linked courses in fall and winter terms, this class is the first class in the sequence. 6 cr., MS; NE, Fall—D. Hougen-Eitzman

ENTS 261. Field Investigation in Comparative Agroecology This course is the second part of a two-term course sequence beginning with Environmental and Technology Studies 260. The course begins with a two-week visit in December to Beijing and Sichuan province. Field work will include visits to Chinese farms at the forefront of an incipient sustainable agriculture movement in China, as well as discussions with Chinese sustainable agriculture researchers. In regular weekly meetings during the winter term on campus, data will be analyzed and presented in oral and written reports. Prerequisite: Environmental and Technology Studies 260. 6 cr., MS; NE, Winter—D. Hougen-Eitzman

ENTS 271. Environmental Economics and Policy This course will explore the economic and political institutions affecting the environment. The major questions of the course will be: When are individual economic incentives not aligned with society's environmental interests? How can policies and regulations be changed to best accomplish environmental goals? Will the economic development of economies like India and China lead to more or less environmental destruction? How can we best balance costs and benefits over long time horizons as we must in issues of non-renewable resource management and climate change? Topics to be discussed may include: climate change, agriculture, transportation, energy efficiency, population growth, and water. 6 cr., SS; SI, QRE, Winter—A. Swoboda

ENTS 280. Tanzania Program: Research Projects on Conservation and Development The aim of this course is to equip students with the necessary research, evaluation and communication skills in order to carryout their research projects successfully. Topics covered includes understanding of the frameworks within which knowledge is communicated and gained as well as the particular skills and techniques that make that possible. 4 cr., ND; NE, Not offered in 2011-2012.

ENTS 284. Tanzania Program: Cultural Studies The course is intended to expose students to the cultural heritages of Tanzania and Ethiopia. Among the cultural activities involved in the course include visits to historical cultural sites and museums, guest lectures, and lessons in local cuisines. 2 cr., S/CR/NC, ND; NE, Not offered in 2011-2012.

ENTS 287. Climate Science In this course, we will explore the state of the science of the modern global climate. The course will include a discussion of the impact of greenhouse gases and aerosol particles on the global climate system, and attention will be paid to understanding global cycles as well as global climate models. In order to understand the underlying science, geoengineering schemes to "fix" the global climate system will be investigated. Throughout the course, our emphasis will be on a quantitative, scientifically rigorous understanding of the complex climate system. Prerequisite: One introductory course in Biology (125 or 126), Chemistry (123 or 128), Geology (110 or 120), or Physics (two five-week courses from 131-162) and Math 111 or 215, or consent of the instructor. 6 cr., MS; NE, QRE, Winter—D. Gross

ENTS 288. Abrupt Climate Change The field of abrupt climate change seeks to understand very fast changes, or "tipping points," in historical climate records. Course topics will include interpretation of historical climate data, methods of measuring abrupt changes in ancient climates, theories for abrupt change, the role of complex earth systems, and the connection to current trends in global climate change. The course will also directly address our future vulnerability to abrupt climate change through cases studies of past human civilizations (Mayans, Anasazi). Prerequisites: One introductory course in Biology (125 or 126), Chemistry (123 or 128), Geology (110 or 120), or Physics (two five-week courses from 131-162). 6 cr., MS, WR; NE, WR2, QRE, Not offered in 2011-2012.

ENTS 301. Science and Society Science today is hardwired into virtually every aspect of our lives and the world we inhabit so much so that there is no 'space' outside science. Our societies can equally well die of the production of science (e.g., global warming, species extinction) or safeguard itself from them. In such a context, how we understand science and with what tools is a key question. The aim of this course is to explore major approaches for understanding and explaining scientific knowledge and the implications of these approaches for understanding the place and importance of science in an age of global environmentalism. Prerequisite: Sociology/Anthropology 110, 111, or permission of instructor. 6 cr., ND; SI, Not offered in 2011-2012.

ENTS 310. Topics in Environmental Law and Policy This seminar will examine topical issues in domestic and international environmental law and policy. We will aim to understand how environmental laws work to achieve policy objectives, with attention also to debates about the role of markets and community-based environmental management. The specific topics may change from year to year, but may include approaches to sustainable development, sustainable agriculture, protection of endangered species, and conservation and management of water resources. This course has no prerequisites and is suitable for students of environmental studies, political science, international relations and political economy. 6 cr., ND; SI, Offered in alternate years. Spring—K. Smith

ENTS 395. Senior Seminar This seminar will focus on preparing Environmental Studies majors to undertake the senior comprehensive exercise. The seminar will be organized around a topic to-be-determined and will involve intensive discussion and the preparation of a detailed research proposal for the comps experience. The course is required for all Environmental Studies majors choosing the group comps option. Prerequisite: Completion of all other ENTS core courses except comps. 3 cr., ND; SI, Fall—G. Vrtis

ENTS 400. Integrative Exercise In this course, ENTS majors complete a group-based comprehensive exercise. Each group is expected to research and execute a group project on the topic chosen by the group, under the guidance of an ENTS faculty member. Toward the end of winter term, all groups present their research at a symposium sponsored by ENTS. Prerequisite: ENTS 395. 6 cr., S/NC, ND; NE, Winter—Staff