Here’s a sampling of courses related to sustainability at each local private college. For a more comprehensive listing of courses, visit each school’s Web site, as listed below.
Liberty University
Anyone interested in auditing lecture-only classes at Liberty must first apply for entrance as a special student. The current cost is $75 per credit hour, plus any applicable fees, said spokesman Johnnie Moore. For more information, go to www.liberty.edu/apply
Environmental Science
This course includes the integration and application of biological and physical science principles to environmental issues. Topics include biological and sociological impacts of human population growth, use and management of natural resources, sources and regulation of pollution and biological and economic aspects of conservation.
Elements of Physical Science
A study of the basic concepts of chemistry and physics for non-science majors. Topics covered include structure and properties of matter; physical and chemical changes; motions and forces; sources, transfer, and conservation of energy; electricity and magnetism; sound and light.
Elements of Earth Science
A study of the principles of physical and historical geology, oceanography, and meteorology for non-science majors.
Philosophy of Science
A study of the definitions, methods and presuppositions of both the natural and social sciences and their relationships to ethics and revelation.
Ecology
An examination of the interrelationships between organisms and factors in their environment.
Introduction to Entomology
An introduction to the study of insects including structure, physiology, life histories, ecology and taxonomy with a special emphasis on those insects of medical and economic importance.
Environmental Biology
A course in the field and lab methods used by government and industry to assess the impact of a pollutant upon an ecosystem including toxicity testing, in-stream evaluations of invertebrates and fish and risk assessment modeling.
Vertebrate Natural History
A study of the life history of the vertebrates with special emphasis on their taxonomy, life cycles and ecological relationships. Vertebrates native to central Virginia will receive special attention.
Ornithology
An introduction to the study of birds including anatomy, physiology, life cycle, behavior, population biology, ecology and taxonomy. The emphasis of lab will be on field techniques of identification and study of species native to Virginia.
Engineering Ethical and Legal Issues
Introduction to the ethical and legal issues encountered during the development of engineering projects from a Christian perspective. Topics include copyrights, patents, contracts, environmental responsibility, personnel management and professionalism.
Global Issues in Geography
A course dedicated to showing the interrelationships between geography and fields of study supportive of geography in such issues as national security, environmental crises and global interdependence.
—Source: Liberty University. For LU’s full catalog of courses, visit: https://www.liberty.edu/registrar
Lynchburg College
Anyone interested in auditing courses at LC may apply for entrance as a non-degree student. The cost for the 2009-10 school year is $195 per credit hour, which is half of the standard tuition cost, said Registrar Jay Webb. For more information, call the admissions office at (434) 544-8300.
Sustainable Living
A new course offered this fall which examines the impact of personal and collective choices on natural resources and the sustainability of communities. Integration of service learning opportunities allows student teams to extend course principles to the local community.
Conservation Biology
This multi-disciplinary course addresses biological diversity at the genetic, population, and species levels. In particular, human impacts on diversity are studied and practical approaches to understanding and preventing extinction are explored.
Sustainable Forest Management
This course teaches the principles and techniques of forest management from both economic and environmental standpoints. Topics related to timber harvesting such as watershed management, wildlife conservation, rangeland management, global climate change, and outdoor recreation will also be explored. The importance of managing forests so that they do not become depleted will be the over-riding theme.
People and the Environment
This course provides an introduction to the various dimensions of human interaction with the environment and natural resources. Topics include environmental management, economics, law, policy, and global issues, as well as environmental education, communication, recreation, ecotourism, values, and ethics.
Environmental Law and Policy
This course provides an introduction to the laws and policies governing pollution, hazardous wastes, the use of natural resources, etc. Environmental policy formulation and implementation, and the role of the judicial system will be topics of focus.
Environmental Management
This course is a survey of management techniques used in the environmental profession. The management of business, industry, and natural resources is emphasized.
Plant Biology
This course examines the evolution, structure, function, physiology, basic ecology and life histories of organisms traditionally studied in the context of botany.
Plant Ecology
This course focuses on ecological constraints that plants experience by virtue of their predominantly sessile lifestyle. Populations dynamics, competition, plant-animal interactions, community structure, function, succession, and the influence of abiotic factors will be considered.
Eco-composition
In this introduction to the writing process, students learn how to write, revise, and edit papers using a variety of expository forms to prepare for research and analytical writing. Focus is placed on thinking ecologically, consuming nature, living with/in nature, outdoor recreation, etc.
—Source: Lynchburg College. For LC’s full catalog of courses, visit: http://www.lynchburg.edu/catalogue
Randolph College
At Randolph College, anyone not pursuing a degree may apply to audit a course by calling the admissions office at (434) 947-8100. The cost for the current semester is $175 per credit hour.
Introduction to Environmental Studies I and II
A broad, natural science-based introduction to many of today’s most pressing and controversial issues regarding the environment, including energy and resource use, loss of biodiversity, population growth, air and water pollution, human-induced climate change and sustainable development. The second section explores the relationship of nature and culture through such lenses as history, literature, philosophy, religion, art, psychology, economics and politics.
Environmental Policy
Students will evaluate the policy options for addressing a variety of contemporary global, national, and local environmental problems. Topics include energy policy, clean air, clean water and water rights, nuclear safety, toxic contaminants, climate change, ozone depletion, endangered species and biodiversity, and sustainable development.
Environmental Psychology
This course explores the interaction of humans with the designed physical environment. Topics include personal space, territoriality, and crowding, as well as the effects of noise and temperature on humans.
Environmental Literature
In this course, students will bridge the gap between science and literature through the study of great writing, which explores humanity’s relationship with its environment. Multiple genres including poetry, fiction and non-fiction will be considered.
Environmental Writing
An advanced nonfiction workshop for students interested in using creative writing as a means of thinking about and evoking the natural world.
Environmental Problems: History and Culture
The course grounds students in the literature of environmental history in order to provide a cultural and historical framework for analysis of contemporary environmental problems, from the local to the global.
Earth Interactions and Global Change
In this course, students examine the structure and dynamics of the earth’s atmosphere, ocean, and biosphere, and how they interact to drive changes in weather and climate.
—Source: Randolph College. For RC’s full catalog of courses, visit: http://www.randolphcollege.edu/x13448.xml
Sweet Briar College
At SBC, anyone can audit academic courses if approved by the instructor, and if space is available. The cost currently is $60 per credit hour. For more information call the registrar’s office at (434) 381-6179.
Ecological Anthropology
Ecological and materialist approaches in anthropology are introduced in this course. The cross-cultural analysis of production and economy will be examined in foraging, ranching and agricultural systems in local and regional environments. Contemporary issues include global ecology, sustainable food production systems and human population growth.
Life Science by Inquiry
Emphasis will be placed on hands-on, inquiry-based explorations of the basic principles of life science. Students will study essential concepts that include cell and molecular biology, organismal biology, and ecology. Students will also gain experience in independent investigation and the development and implementation of their own hands-on exercises and experiments.
Plants and Human Affairs
An introduction to plants and their remarkable impact on diverse aspects of human activity. This course will explore the ways in which humans use plants for food, medicine, and other products; the role of plants in our environment; and the implications of plants in areas such as economics and human culture.
Introduction to Organisms
An introduction to organismal and population biology. Topics include genetics, evolution and ecology and the interactions of organisms with their environment.
Field Natural History
This course will develop three important traits of a scientific naturalist: skill at seeing patterns in nature and framing interesting questions about them; knowledge of the names, classification, and identifying characteristics of local organisms; and the understanding of a modern theoretical framework in ecology, evolution and behavior.
Ecology
This course examines the interrelationships between individuals and their abiotic environment, among members of a population, and among populations in a given habitat or community. General principles and theories will be applied to a range of organisms, including plants, animals, microorganisms and humans.
Chemistry by Inquiry
A hands-on, inquiry-based exploration of physical science with applications to chemistry and environmental science. Students will study topics including atomic theory, the nature of matter, chemical and physical change and energy sources.
Chemistry for the Liberal Arts I
A topical approach to modern chemistry. Areas of emphasis include environmental chemistry, biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, drugs and nutrition.
Introduction to Environmental Issues
An introduction to the multi-disciplinary field of environmental studies involving the integration of environmental science, policy and planning. This course introduces various environmental problems, their causes and potential solutions, such as overpopulation and current global environmental crises such as ozone depletion, loss of biodiversity, tropical deforestation, and contamination of water and air.
Physical Geography: Landscapes
A study of the geologic processes that shape the Earth’s surface and their relationship to human activities, including natural hazards such as volcanoes, earthquakes and landslides. Mountains, rivers, glaciers, deserts, coastlines, and soil forming processes are investigated.
Surface Waters
A study of freshwater and brackish water systems including streams, lakes, and estuaries. Physical, chemical, and biologic components of aquatic environments are examined with an emphasis on water quality, aquatic biology, watershed analysis and water resource management.
Humans and Wildlife
A historical and contemporary examination of human interaction with wildlife. Basic ecological principles are applied to the conservation and management of wildlife with particular emphasis on the role of humans in the environment. Students explore the development of human-wildlife relationships from prehistoric times through the agricultural revolution and European expansion to modern issues of wildlife conservation.
Environmental Policy
An introduction to the principles of environmental policy planning and analysis. The development of environmental policy is explored and students are introduced to the legal and regulatory institutions affecting environmental policy. Emphasis is placed on the processes by which interest groups compete for favorable policy and on the analysis of the social and economic results of specific environmental policies.
Oceanography
Introduction to the geological, chemical, physical and biological aspects of the world’s oceans. Topics include the origin and structure of coastlines and ocean basins; properties and constituents of seawater; tides, waves, currents, and circulation patterns; and life in the ocean. Emphasis will be placed on the climatic and environmental importance of the ocean.
People and the American Landscape
This course examines how the complex relationship between humans and the American landscape has changed over time, focusing on the issues of agriculture and food, wilderness, and urbanization.The development of the environmental movement is also highlighted.
Community
This course analyzes the role of community in human social life, with attention to questions about community formation, maintenance and change. The course also examines the phenomenon of intentional community and its place vis a vis mainstream society, with an emphasis on environmentally sustainable communities.
Environmental Sociology
An analysis of the reciprocal interactions between the physical environment and social organization. Specific topics include energy consumption, quality of life, sustainable development, environmental inequality and global environmental change. The course will emphasize the ways in which social structures and the individual behaviors that reflect them both transform and are transformed by the environment.
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