NEW Courses for Spring 2008
(January 9 - May 3, 2008)
BIO 93FCS.xx (NS, STS, R) Sea Monsters and Mermaids
in a Warming Ocean: The Science of Climate Change and its Effects on Coastal
and Ocean Ecosystems Van
Dover
Organisms are often exquisitely adapted to climate; in a rapidly changing
climate, coastal and ocean ecosystems shift to different states resulting
from processes occurring at many levels, including physiological responses
within individuals, behavioral responses in populations, and complex interactions
among species. This course will challenge students to discover the underlying
natural and physical science associated with media stories about climate
change and marine systems. Topic areas include changing polar ecosystems
(polar bears to penguins), ocean dead zones, ocean acidification, sea level
rise, ocean circulation, and lessons from paleoclimate changes and paleoocean
ecosystem responses.
Classroom at Sea: As part of this kick-off 2008 course, students will participate in a 6-day oceanographic research cruise aboard the brigantine R/V Corwith Cramer, with Professors Van Dover and Orbach. Port-of-Call: Key West. This field program is included in the course tuition.
ENVIRON 99 FCS SS, CCI, EI, STS The
Human Dimension of Global Climate Change in and on the World’s Coasts
and Oceans Orbach
This course will explore the human-ocean relationship related to global
climate change, and how humans might respond to climate change, through
the lens of the “human and institutional ecology” of coasts and oceans –
the social and policy sciences. Human activities, determined by human belief,
values and behaviors, both affect and are affected by global climate change.
This course will explore the patterns of human use of coasts and oceans,
honing in on how these patterns will affect, and be affected by, global
climate change. Examples are the use of oceans through shipping, fishing
and recreation, human infrastructure and habitation on coastlines, and the
particular problems and issues of small island nations. It will also explore
the public policies and policy-making processes that will have great influence
on the nature of the human/ocean relationship, with a fieldtrip to Washington,
D.C. to speak with policy-makers and advocacy organizations.
ENG 89 FCS ALP, W The Human
Ocean Experience Through Literature Fehskens
This course will explore the human/ocean relationship through the lens of
historic, classical and popular literature. Much of the human/ocean relationship
either is not, or cannot, be expressed solely in scientific terms. Through
analysis of historic literature (Moby Dick, Lord Jim, 20,000 Leagues
Under the Sea) that displays human/ocean values and perceptions,
this course will trace the human/ocean relationship over time. Through
the use of contemporary literature, including film and television, the
course will display the contemporary humanistic dimensions of the human/ocean
relationship (Jaws, Old Man and the Sea, Waterworld).