Course Descriptions

PHIL 2010/CRN 85266 introductory, liberal
PHIL 3100/CRN 85267 advanced, liberal
Instructor: Albert Castelo

This course will examine the relationship between human beings and the natural world through the framework of leading ethical theories and non-Western perspectives, for the purpose of understanding our place in nature; the value, and possibly rights, of the natural environment (animals, plants, species, ecosystems); and the extent and justification of our moral obligations to the environment and to future generations.

Meets SUNY General Education requirements?
yes, humanities

BIOL 2210/CRN 81090 introductory, liberal
Instructor: Dr. Kevin Woo

In this course, students will learn about the behavioral ecology and evolution of animals, and understand how they experience their perceptual world and navigate the ecological challenges that allowed them to survive or become extinct. Students will be introduced to the core conceptual, theoretical, and applied aspects in the interdisciplinary field of animal behavior. In particular, they will examine various topics in this field, such as communication, mate selection, sexual selection, neuroethology, cultural transmission, learning, and personality.

Prerequisite (must complete before registering): Introductory Biology or Introductory Psychology (PSYC 1005) Note: Students taking this residency course should not also take Animal Behavior (BIOL 2208).

Meets SUNY General Education requirements?
yes, natural sciences

BIOL 3996/CRN 86893 advanced, liberal
Instructor: Drew Monthie

This course will explore the introduction, spread and impact of non-native plant species on plant, animals, ecosystems and biodiversity, including within the Adirondack park.

Prerequisites: Students should have taken a basic biology, ecology or environmental studies course.

Meets SUNY General Education requirements?
no

PHOT 1040/CRN 85268 introductory, liberal
Instructor: Terry Boddie

The ability of photography to document the human impact on the natural environment over the past several decades has created a vast body of images that has made us more aware of the danger that this intrusion has created for future generations. The work of photographers and artists such as Edward Burtynsky, Vik Muniz and others has shifted the dialogue from one of observation of the consequence of this human impact to a dialog about how things can be corrected.

Meets SUNY General Education requirements?
yes, arts

PHOT 3045/CRN 85269 advanced, liberal
Instructor: Terry Boddie

The ability of photography to document the human impact on the natural environment over the past several decades has created a vast body of images that has made us more aware of the danger that this intrusion has created for future generations. The work of photographers and artists such as Edward Burtynsky, Vik Muniz and others has shifted the dialogue from one of observation of the consequence of this human impact to a dialog about how things can be corrected.

Meets SUNY General Education requirements?
yes, arts

ENST 3010/CRN 85202 advanced, liberal
Instructor: Dr. Duncan RyanMann

In this interdisciplinary course, students investigate efforts to create systems of sustainable agriculture in both the developed and the developing world. Students examine current and traditional agricultural practices and their use of water, soil and other resources from a critical sustainability perspective. Students also learn about economic, political, social and technological forces that influence agriculture and efforts to move agricultural practices in a sustainable direction. According to the UN, the world's population is projected to grow from roughly 7 billion people today to over 9 billion people in 2050. Feeding an additional 2 billion people will put further stresses on the environment, particularly water and soil resources. In addition, many people in the developing world as well as some in the developed world are struggling today to maintain healthy diets. Upon the completion of this course, students shall be able to: 1. Assess the differences between practices of sustainable agriculture and traditional agricultural practices and evaluate the different impacts on resource depletion. 2. Explain the challenges that developing countries face in ensuring food security and evaluate whether sustainable agricultural practices might improve food security in developing countries. 3. Compare innovative practices in sustainable agriculture, particularly related to soil and water, and explain how some organizations and countries are succeeding in using sustainable agriculture.

Meets SUNY General Education requirements?
yes, social sciences

MUSC 3122/CRN 85274 advanced, liberal 
Instructor: Peggy Lynn

Students will learn about the history and culture of the Adirondack region by reading stories and poems and listening to traditional and original songs. They will examine the forms of writing and the emotional connection in Adirondack folklore. From ballads of lumber camps to tall tales of explorers and sportsmen, the songs and stories of this wilderness region express a singular style of humor and impart values of work ethic and rugged individualism. Students will appreciate the inspiration behind the message and examine the artistic expression of singing and storytelling.

Meets SUNY General Education requirements?
yes, arts

HLHS 3996/CRN 86001 advanced, liberal
Instructor: Dr. Anamaria Ross

Health Ecology is an emerging field of study, at the intersection of Anthropology, Environmental Health, Human Development, and Public Health. This course will explore human health as a dynamic interplay between human beings and their environments. We will examine the formative role of natural and built environments upon human development and health, considering adaptive and maladaptive behaviors, habitation, metabolic factors, subsistence strategies, technologies, climate change, disasters, and more. We will reflect upon cultural constructions and meanings of "nature" and the reciprocal transformative impact of humans on the health of their environments, ranging from a personal or familial level, to a community level, to regional, national, or global scales. Interactive group activities outdoors, as weather permits, will encourage students to observe and analyze the mutual inter-relationship of humans and nature in the Adirondacks. A final project will allow students to delve more deeply in a topic of their choice.

Meets SUNY General Education requirements?
no

BIOL 1996/CRN 85238, introductory, liberal, 2-credit course
Instructor: Dr. Nikki Shrimpton

This course provides an introduction to the major biological communities of the Adirondacks, and other natural communities in New York State. Through activities in the course students will develop a conceptual understanding of ecological processes, organismic biology and biological interactions, through both field study and field experiments. Students will work collaboratively in a variety of hands-on field experiments designed to introduce techniques used to answer questions about natural communities. Students will continue to apply concepts and techniques learned in the Adirondacks to a local field site of choice, throughout the term. As part of this course, students will keep a semester-long field journal. The course requires significant time in the field, and students must have the ability to undertake at least two miles of hiking on forest trails.

Meets SUNY General Education requirements?
no

CRWR 3080/CRN 85273 advanced, liberal 
Instructor: Dr. Elaine Handley

Nature writing begins with close observation of the natural world and recording what we see. Writing down our observations becomes a tool to explore our perceptions and reactions to what we are observing. Nature writing is exploratory and reflective; it teaches us how to look deeply. As part of the natural world, the writer must also observe him or herself and draw the reader into that world, too. In this study we will use nature writing to learn not just about nature, but from nature about the interconnection, the interrelationships that form our world and give meaning to our existence.

Prerequisite (must complete before registering): At least one college level writing course.

Meets SUNY General Education requirements?
yes, basic communication