Study of relations between humans and other animals, both empirical and ethical. Topics include the nature of animal minds, theories of animal ethics, animals as food, animal experimentation, hunting and fishing, zoos and aquariums. Films, guest speakers, and readings from classical and contemporary sources. 
Offered in alternate years.

Study of animal ethics and the evolution of animal welfare policy since the Animal Welfare Act of 1966. Examines in substantial depth competing moral arguments and related policy developments in the arenas of companion animal treatment, farmed animal welfare, animal research, and broader theories. Numeric and Evaluation grade only.
Offered as needed.

Examination of ethical issues about the environment: foundational questions about moral status, public policy issues, and questions of personal morality. Traditional perspectives such as anthropocentrism and individualism are contrasted with alternatives such as the Land Ethic and ecofeminism. 
Offered in alternate years.

Analysis of the biotic and abiotic factors controlling the distribution and abundance of plant and animal species. Emphasis on ecological relationships of individuals and populations. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory. 
Prerequisite: BIOL 238. 
Offered in alternate years.

Analysis of the ecology, population biology, and behavior that is needed to understand the process of extinction.
Prerequisites: BIOL 238 or EVST 100.
Offered as needed.

Examination of global and local biodiversity and the causes and implications of biodiversity decline. Emphasis on threatened and endangered species and human activities related to the decline of species. This course is field-trip and project intensive. 
Prerequisite: EVST 100 or by permission.

Exploration of environmental factors responsible for distributions of species, communities, and biomes with particular reference to human-induced changes in ecology. This is a writing-intensive course with emphasis on scientific writing and the use of the scientific method in ecological research. 
Prerequisites: EVST 100 and a WA course. 
Offered every year.

Evolution of social behavior, with an emphasis on the ecological factors that mold species’ social organization. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory. 
Prerequisite: BIOL 238. 
Offered as needed.

The evolution of social behavior is the primary focus of this course. The first few weeks will be devoted to the study of evolutionary theory as it applies to behavior. We will cover parental care, parent-offspring conflict, sexual selection, sex differences, sexuality, altruism, and cooperation.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.

Explanation of current developments in modern molecular biology that affect the lives of non-scientists. Topics such as DNA testing and genetically engineered foods, vaccines, and drugs are discussed. Provides basic information about DNA and an opportunity to perform techniques used in genetic engineering. 
Offered as needed.

Environmentally oriented issues of current concern as they relate to fundamental generalizations about ecology. Sharpens the layman’s critical powers of observation and analysis and provides tools for intelligent decision making. Three hours lecture and three hours lab.
Offered as needed.

Analysis of the biotic and abiotic factors controlling the distribution and abundance of plant and animal species. Emphasis on ecological relationships of individuals and populations. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory. 
Prerequisite: BIOL 238. 
Offered in alternate years.

Examination of global and local biodiversity and the causes and implications of biodiversity decline. Emphasis on threatened and endangered species and human activities related to the decline of species. This course is field-trip and project intensive. 
Prerequisite: EVST 100 or by permission.

Exploration of environmental factors responsible for distributions of species, communities, and biomes with particular reference to human-induced changes in ecology. This is a writing-intensive course with emphasis on scientific writing and the use of the scientific method in ecological research. 
Prerequisites: EVST 100 and a WA course. 
Offered every year.

Examines the ways production, trade, and consumption of food affects workers, consumers, and ecosystems. Topics include the political economy of food systems, genetically modified food, biofuels, the carbon footprints, the modern meat system, and potential solutions such as fair trade, organic certification, the slow food movement, and local food. 
Prerequisite: EVST 100 recommended.

Overview of human environmental influence on the oceans. Combines the study of marine science, policy, and management in an effort to understand environmental protection issues arising from coastal development, overfishing, climate change, oil spills, and other threats to marine ecosystems. 
Prerequisite: EVST 100 or by permission. 
Offered as needed.

Provides a comprehensive overview of the science and field study of birds, ranging from their origin and evolution, physiology, anatomy, communication, behavior and environment, reproduction and development, population dynamics and conservation. Laboratories introduce students to auditory and field identification methods. 
Offered in alternate years.

Analyzes the different factors–cultural, socioeconomic, political, and biological–that underlie environmental problems. It reviews some of the most important conservation tools developed and applied by various disciplines in an attempt to integrate them as a trans-disciplinary approach.
Prerequisite: EVST 100 or by permission.
Offered as needed.

The evolution of social behavior is the primary focus of this course. The first few weeks will be devoted to the study of evolutionary theory as it applies to behavior. We will cover parental care, parent-offspring conflict, sexual selection, sex differences, sexuality, altruism, and cooperation.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.

Evolution of social behavior, with an emphasis on the ecological factors that mold species’ social organization. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory. 
Prerequisite: BIOL 238. 
Offered as needed.

Selected topics, themes, or authors in literary fields. May be repeated for degree credit, given different topics, for a maximum of 8 credits.
Offered as needed.

Investigation of the ways in which American experience with nature is both shaped by and reflected through literary fiction and non-fiction as well as poetry. 
Numeric grade only.

This course prepares students to write nontechnical essays, reports, and articles on environmental topics and in various forms, including documentary, lyric, advocacy/public engagement, and experimental. Students read and discuss published nonfiction, write drafts and a final portfolio, and participate in group critiques.

Examination of competing ethical and social-political theories in the context of current ethical controversies.

Study of selected topics, movements, authors, or works in philosophy chosen to reflect student interest and instructor availability. May be repeated for degree credit, given different topics, for a maximum of 8 credits. 
Offered as needed.

Study of selected topics, movements, authors, or works in philosophy, chosen to reflect student and instructor interest.

Examination of ethical issues about the environment: foundational questions about moral status, public policy issues, and questions of personal morality. Traditional perspectives such as anthropocentrism and individualism are contrasted with alternatives such as the Land Ethic and ecofeminism. 
Offered in alternate years.

An animal ethics course combined with hands-on work at local animal rescues. A course-fee of $150 applies; instructor permission is required.
Credit and Evaluation grade only.