ES 100 Environmental Studies
Goodson, TR 12:30pm, Lab T 10:30am or T 2pm.
This course uses scientific principles to explore the interdisciplinary study of socio-ecological systems. Students will develop a knowledge base of our biological and physical environment, leading to an exploration of human interactions with the environment. Using lectures, laboratory exercises, and fieldwork, students will learn to understand environmental issues and make informed choices regarding environmental dilemmas. Topics include earth and biological systems, population dynamics, land and water use, energy resources, pollution, and global change.
ES 200 Environment and Society
Caplow, MW 2:00, Crider OL
ES 200 is an exploration of the relationship between human culture and ecological systems. In this course, which serves as the introductory experience for the Environmental Studies program, we will explore diverse issues in contemporary environmental thought. Students will develop well-informed perspectives on environmental topics.
ES 475 Environmental Studies in Action
Caplow, MWF 1:00
Environmental Studies in Action is the ES capstone experience. The capstone is a semester-long team research/service learning project where students generate concrete products for a real-world client; these products may include written documents, presentations, infrastructure, or other material outputs. All of the projects will have an environmental component, but students may bring in other disciplines as needed in order to design innovative solutions to sustainability challenges. This course is recommended for senior year, after students have developed a solid interdisciplinary foundation in environmental studies. Prerequisite: ES 250 recommended.
ES 310/ HNRS 309/ POS 310 National Parks and Public Lands
Turner, TR 2:00
Students will visit the Great Smoky Mountains Institute in Tremont, Tennessee. Learn about national parks and experience the great outdoors. Visit historic Cade’s Cove, hike the trails, visit the waterfalls, breathe the fresh air, climb to Clingman’s Dome, and learn from nature’s classroom.Interested students may contact Dr. Scott Turner with questions or to add your name to the class list:
665-6199 UMOM 330
turners@montevallo.edu
MG 420/ ES 410/ NPS 420 Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainability
Smith, M 5:00
Social entrepreneurship is a rapidly developing and changing business field in which business and nonprofit leaders design, grow, and lead mission-driven enterprises. As the traditional lines blur between nonprofit enterprises, government, and business, it is critical that business students understand the opportunities and challenges in this new landscape. Through guest speakers, case discussion, lecture, and student presentations this course will explore this emerging field. Students will be expected to develop a business plan for a social enterprise. Because the field of social entrepreneurship is interdisciplinary and in its infancy, the course will be introductory in nature and will draw heavily from cases, speaker experience, and student inquiry.
HIST 411/ES 410 The Spanish Conquest
Bawden TR 2:00
The Spanish conquest of the Americas had massive consequences for the world system and millions of people. It is a fantastic story, cataclysmic, violent, and frequently misunderstood. Students will study life in Spain and the Americas prior to 1492, read eyewitness accounts of what happened, interpret events, and consider the degree to which different native peoples retained their independence. Students who wish to receive ES credit for this course must write their research paper on some aspect of environmental history.
ES 310 Environmental Leadership: Science-based advocacy and storytelling
Crider, W 5:00
Environmental leadership starts with us, with personal leadership. The Stoics taught the importance of Courage, Wisdom, Justice, and Temperance, and our current environmental crises certainly call for these qualities if we are to achieve solutions.
In this course, you will learn how to plan and lead your life, to find purpose and meaning in a chaotic and confusing world, and to create a personal vision and mission statement. We will be asking questions like, “How do we know what we think we know?”, i.e., learning to think critically, and how to apply evidence-based reasoning to bring about positive change. You will learn practical tools, from mind mapping to the Eisenhower Matrix, to further your education and career. You will also learn the importance of story, and its power to change the world, in three stages:
1. The Story of Self
2. The Story of Us (Connecting with Others)
3. The Story of Now (A Theory of Change)
Finally, you will put theory into hands-on practice!
SWK 411/ ES 410/PJS 470 Environmental Justice
Tetloff TR 11
This course will examine racial and income inequalities that result from the development and implementation of environmental policies. It will investigate the root causes of these disparities, their impact on physical, mental, and emotional health, and mechanisms for meaningful change.
ES 300/ POS 303/ MK 455 Too Good to Be True: The Politics of Corporate Social Responsibility
Eckelman/Garrity TR 12:30
This class studies corporate social responsibility (CSR) with a focus on the politics and controversies surrounding CSR initiatives as well as their strategic importance in the modern age. We will consider the impact of CSR on direct and indirect stakeholders, including voters. Students will review examples of corporate social responsibility with emphasis on more recent corporate commitments in the wake of George Floyd’s death, the January 6th insurrection attempt, and the 2020 election. The course will examine the impacts of CSR on business profitability as well as motives and political implications for companies to adopt CSR initiatives. Our topics of study will include global sustainability, business ethics, public health, green capitalism, diversity and inclusions and maternal/women’s rights, among others.
ES 401/ POS 411/ PHIL 465 Global Environmental Perspectives
Eckelman/Forrester TR 3:30
We’ll examine both the ethical and political issues inherent in environmental problems around the globe.