Instructor: Chris Simon
This interdisciplinary class designed specifically for honors students of all majors provides a broad overview of environmental issues and their impact on society. Topics address breaking news about the seven most serious problems facing our world today: 1) loss of biodiversity; 2) climate change/energy sources; 3) emerging diseases/drug resistance; 4) toxic and solid wastes; 5) food/agriculture/genetics/nutrition; 6) overpopulation/unequal distribution of wealth; and 7) resource depletion (water, soil, air, minerals). We explore environmental problems in depth through lectures, readings, weekly current events, video clips, class discussions, visiting speakers, a tour of an energy efficient house, and a final project in the form of a PowerPoint presentation.