Great Issues in Science
Biodiversity, conservation, and development

HSP 123 CRN
Tuesdays 1:10 – 3:00pm Putnam 253
Thursdays 1:10 – 5:00pm Kresge 173
Dr. Dean McCurdy

Description

The notion of biodiversity encompasses the unique attributes of all living things. This concept goes beyond simply counting and naming organisms (although that’s a good place to start), and includes the role each species plays in the environment, and even the amount of genetic diversity within populations of organisms. At present, the earth’s biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate, and we have only begun to explore the consequences of this loss. As difficult as it can be to define and measure biodiversity, it is perhaps even more challenging to comprehend human attitudes toward nature. In this course, students will work together to address how biodiversity relates to development at several scales - from harnessing biodiversity for global economic development, to the development of our individual attitudes toward the environment. Through extensive readings, writing assignments, discussions, field trips, and research projects, students will use an interdisciplinary approach to investigate topics that include: conservation of endangered species, containment of invasive species, the role of renewable energy sources in the world economy, prospects for biodiversity as a tool for economic growth, and the psychology surrounding our sense of place in nature. Research projects will include studies on species-at-risk and approaches used to study biodiversity.