1. Geography 6 Environmental Geography Thursdays 7:00-9:50 PM Section 69368 Professor Lisa Schmidt

7. Course Description There may be no more crucial subject of study today than the study of Earth’s environmental problems. This course is an introduction to some of those problems. When you finish this course, you will be able to think and speak effectively about the environmental challenges we face today, particularly those related to population growth, economic growth, the declines of traditional cultures, poverty, energy use, climate change and their impacts. You will be able to answer the question “what can we do to avoid a crisis in the global environment?” Geography as a discipline is an ideal vehicle for understanding problems and finding solutions in the global environment. Geography’s great strength as a science is its holistic perspective, integrating understanding of people with understanding of the natural environment. Using geographic perspectives, in this class we will ask not “how can we best protect nature?” but “how can we best protect nature while enduring an adequate standard of living for the world’s people?” You will gain a global perspective on our environment through geography. You will use the geographical approach to understand the biosphere, environmental principles, economics and environment, human impact, extinction and biodiversity, food/population crises, the social environment, global tampering, and contemporary values in global environmental issues.

19. Assignments and Grading

20. Class Schedule