Sustainability Across the Curriculum
Sustainability Initiative > Education
Faculty | Sustainability Across the Curriculum | The Sustainability Concentration
At Stockton College, learning about environmental issues and sustainability goes beyond any particular program. The following are some of the many courses offered across the college curriculum that address sustainability and environmental issues.
GAH 2207 R. Nichols
Environmental Histories 4 credits
Historical consciousness course (H).
This course studies the world’s environmental history, from the long-term ecological impact of the earliest civilizations to the many problems faced by contemporary nations balancing development and resource management. The emphasis is on the effects and possibilities of human interaction with regional, continental, and global ecosystems.
GEN 3612 J. Connor
Writing about Nature 4 credits
Writing course (W1).
A writing/editing course workshop investigating the natural world. We read selections from classic and contemporary naturalists, but our focus is student writing. Our usual sequence is from field trip to journal to essay. Potential subjects include insects, birds, mammals, trees, flowers, farmers, hunters, fishermen, gardeners, rivers, lakes, forests, the ocean, weather and the night sky. Regular field trips, mostly around campus. Students participate in an electronic conference
GIS 3303 P. Hossay
Experience Global Development 4 credits
Open only to juniors and seniors. International/multicultural course (I).
This international service-learning course includes a two-week trip to Belize, Central America to work on an international development project. Course sessions focus on international and regional social, political, economic, and ecological issues related to poverty, hunger, ecological sustainability, and conservation in Belize and the impoverished world more generally. With this preparation we will then undertake a two-week service trip to Belize. This once in a lifetime experience allows students to develop a more complete understanding of the global social, economic, and political dynamics of poverty, hunger, and ecological degradation while fostering a more complete appreciation for our own role and responsibilities as global citizens
GIS 3305 L. Stiles, Staff
Energy and Ethics 4 credits
Open only to juniors and seniors. Values course (V).
The “Energy Problem” will be investigated from the technical, sociological, and humanistic perspectives. The interrelationship between these perspectives will be emphasized using readings in technology, economics, sociology, and ethics.
GIS 3317 H. McGovern
Voices and Visions/ 4 credits
The Environment
Open only to juniors and seniors.
Students examine the concept of the natural environment by studying environmental rhetoric across disciplines and genres: art, including photography and painting; fiction, including short story, novel, and poetry; film; music; nonfiction writing; and science writing. Through discussion, analysis, and writing, students explore others’ perspectives on the environment and reflect upon their own.
GIS 3346 E. Mutari
Consumption and Consumerism 4 credits
Open only to juniors and seniors. Values/ethics course (V).
This course will examine how and why people buy goods and services, and the implications of this consumption activity for U.S. society and the economy. Questions to be addressed include: How has shopping changed over the last century? Can the earth sustain ever-increasing levels of consumption? Are Americans trapped in a cycle of working and spending?
Can how and what we buy reflect political and social values?
GIS 3621 W. Cromartie
Green Politics 4 credits
Open only to juniors and seniors. Values/ethics course (V).
A seminar/discussion class on the nature of politics and politics of nature. Readings in political philosophy, evolution, ethology and contemporary environmentalism. Final essay on some aspect of the readings.
GIS 3650 E. Sedia
Human Beliefs and Nature 4 credits
Open only to juniors and seniors. Values course (V).
This course explores the relationship between humankind and nature, both from Judeo-Christian and humanistic viewpoints. It addresses the role humanism played in many environmental disasters, especially the recent emergence of infectious diseases. The strategies for establishing the balance between these viewpoints are discussed.
GNM 1025 R. Barlatt
Energy Alternatives 4 credits
Open only to freshmen. This is a freshman seminar.
A study of conventional and alternate energy systems. The course explains how the technology of each system works, what the environmental effect of its use would be, and what technological and institutional problems exist. The advantages and drawbacks in selecting any of the systems are discussed. The course is designed to enable a broader spectrum of students to be involved in selecting the national energy policy.
GNM 1056 E. Sedia
Environmental Citizenship 4 credits
Open only to freshmen. This is a freshman seminar. Values/ethics course (V).
This course will be taught in parallel sessions, with occasional meetings (lectures, presentations, panels) that include all sections. We plan to combine our knowledge of different aspects of environmental problems, and attempt to craft a comprehensive, interdisciplinary curriculum. This course will explore many dangers and environmental crises we face today. Scientific research increasingly tells us that we are destroying the natural systems on which our lives depend. Global climate change, the destruction of the Earth’s ozone layer, the acidification of our rain, the poisoning of our rivers, lakes and oceans, the depletion of our soil, the devastation of our forests, globalization, environmental economics and conservation crises are some of the topics we will focus on
GNM 2116 T. Chirenje
Cities of the World 4 credits
This class looks at the environmental problems associated with urbanization and urban sprawl using the case study approach. The characteristics, environmental and social problems of cities vary with geographical location, size and economic status of the country in which they are found, among other factors. Case studies will be given from cities in every continent to determine how these cities deal with problems of sanitation, overpopulation, urban sprawl, traffic congestion, energy use efficiency, air and water pollution, waste disposal and social vices.
GNM 2164 K. Hallock-Waters
Atmosphere and Global 4 credits
Climate Change
The focus of this course will be on the atmospheric environment and how human activities have caused perturbations of the Earth’s natural atmosphere. Fossil fuel combustion, biomass burning, deforestation, industrial processes, and land use practices have all contributed to major changes in the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere and have led to various environmental problems including photochemical smog, the greenhouse effect, and stratospheric ozone depletion. Long-term climate change since the time of Earth’s beginning as well as recent changes resulting from man’s activities and predictions for the future will be discussed
GNM 2261 T. Chirenje
Intro to Environmental Pollution 4 credits
Values/ethics course (V).
The main objective of this class is to introduce students to the most common forms of environmental pollution, their sources, persistence in the environment, pollution prevention, and regulation and clean-up of contaminated sites. The class will survey pollution topics in the three environmental media (air, soil, and water) using case studies, where possible, to demonstrate how different communities have dealt with specific kinds of pollution. Demonstrations will include the use of Geographical Information
Systems software in determining contaminated sites in students’ hometowns. Students are required to write a term paper outlining a case study dealing with pollution of a medium of their choice and how local and federal laws were used in effective remediation.
GNM 2324 Staff
Environmental Science 4 credits
and Health
Prerequisites: BIOL, CHEM, or PHYS background recommended.
This course provides a general introduction to environmental health and science with a particular emphasis on the interaction of man and his environment. Focus on a general overview and understanding of functional and conceptual principles for analysis of environmental concerns and solutions, including among others: discovery/research, air resource management, water resource management, solid and hazardous waste management, radiation (ionizing and non-ionizing), noise and light pollution, environmental toxicology, disease vectors and parasites, environmental planning and management, impacts to flora, fauna, and other natural resources. Two field trips.
GNM 2475 T. Chirenje
Global Environmental Issues 4 credits
Values/ethics course (V).
The main objectives of this class is to introduce environmental issues that affect us on the global scale and to learn the basic scientific concepts and how to apply them to analyzing these problems.
Topics to be covered include human population growth, urban sprawl, global warming, ozone layer depletion, acird rain, deforestation and desertification, water quality and supply issues, habitat destruction and the trade in endangered species. Emphasis will be placed on the global impact of the environmental problems and how world bodies try to solve them through international treaties and agreements e.g., Kyoto Protocol (Climate Change), Rio Declaration (Biodiversity), Cairo Agreement (Population), CITES (Endangered Species) and the Montreal Protocol (Ozone Depleting Substances).
GNM 3321 L. Stiles
Energy Management 4 credits
Not open to freshmen.
A study of the use of energy and the choices that are financially viable either currently or in the short-term future. This includes both traditional energy technologies and new alternatives, methods of reducing energy demand, and the financial analysis of choices. The impact of global climate and the environment will also be addressed. Students perform a technical analysis or a hands-on project of a technology and present results to the class.
GSS 2134 P. Hossay
Global Issues 4 credits
This course is about our shared stake in a sustainable and survivable future. Scientific research increasingly tells us that we are destroying the natural systems on which our lives depend. While we consume vast amounts of the Earth’s resources and challenge the Earth’s capacity to absorb our waste, an impoverished majority suffers chronic health problems, malnutrition, a lack of education, and disproportionate exposure to environmental dangers. This course will explore the complex scientific and political issues, debates, and policies that define this multifaceted threat to our collective future.
BIOL 3504 D. Hernandez
Conservation Biology 4 Credits
Contact Hours: 4
Prerequisite: BIOL 2100 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
This course examines the main areas of conservation biology: study of Earth’s biological diversity, investigation of human impacts on biodiversity and development, and application of practical solutions to the current biodiversity crisis. Current conservation issues affecting New Jersey will be emphasized. Students will gain individual, hands-on experience in the practice of conservation biology through completion of a semester-long project.
CHEM 3530 K. Hallock-Waters
Environmental Chemistry 4 credits
Contact Hours: 4
Prerequisite: CHEM 2140 or equivalent.
(Same as ENVL 3530.) This course focuses on the complex chemistry of the Earth’s atmospheric, aquatic, and terrestrial environments. Introductory chemistry topics such as equilibria, kinetics, thermodynamics, oxidation and reduction are applied in understanding the Earth’s natural environment as well as the chemical aspects of modern problems resulting from human impact. Topics include the chemistry of the natural atmosphere, stratospheric ozone destruction, photochemical smog, the greenhouse effect and global warming, biogeochemical cycles, the chemistry of natural waters, pesticides in soils and natural waters, over-nutrification, heavy metals in soils, sediments and water, water and wastewater treatments. Offered in alternate years.
CRIM 3650 Y. Situ-Liu
Environmental Crime 4 credits
Open only to juniors and seniors. Values/ethics course (V).
The capstone seminar in the environmental crime track. Issues in the nature, prevention, and prosecution of environmental crime are examined.
ECON 2245 K. Harrison, M. Lakew
Environmental 4 credits
Economics
Prerequisite: ENVL 2300 or ECON 1200.
(Cross-listed as ENVL 3454.) The tools of economics such as demand and supply, cost-benefit analysis, cost theory, and marginal pricing will be applied to environmental concerns such as pollution, economic growth, and policy tradeoffs. We will examine the environmental successes and failures of the market system in the United States as well as other parts of the globe in this introductory course. Current controversies such as deep ecology vs. eco-realism will also be discussed.
PHIL 3130 R. Jackson
Environmental Philosophy 4 credits
Not open to freshmen. Formerly PHIL 2203. Not open to students with credit for PHIL 2203.
Values/ethics course (V).
This course explores such topics in environmental philosophy as beauty, faith, the treatment of animals,economics, and ethical activism.
POLS 2201 P. Hossay
Politics of the Environment 4 credits
Values/ethics course (V).
This course provides an introduction to the political and policy aspects of human environment interactions and the conflicts that result. The course will focus on the values that go into thinking about the environment and the policies that result from those values. Focus is on policy process and particular areas of environmental concern.
PUBH 2530 Staff
Basic Environmental 4 credits
Health
Prerequisite: A basic background in biology, chemistry and physics is recommended.
(Same as ENVL 2530.) Students study the environmental causes and prevention of disease, the causes and prevention of pollution, and the effects of both on the individual and the community. Areas of discussion include: basic concepts of disease; water supply and waste water treatment; food safety; air pollution; hazardous and solid waste; residential and institutional health and safety; vermin control; radiation hazards; environmental health law, planning, and administration. Course format includes lectures, discussions, and lab demonstrations. A research paper is required.
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