| This course examines the fundamentals of ecology (the study of the relationships between organisms and their environment) with special emphasis on man's effect on the environment. After an introduction to the history of the environmental movement in the United States, the course proceeds into the following areas: first, a thorough discussion on the what, when and where of ecosystems, including macro-chemical cycling (e.g., carbon, nitrogen, etc.); second, a discussion on resources, such as soils, waters, plants, animals, minerals, fossil fuels, and renewal energy resources with discussions on the implications of animal versus plant based diets for humans (e.g., various cancers and their relationship to excessive consumption of fats, protein, cholesterol, etc.; pesticides, nitrates in our water); third, various types of air and water pollution; fourth, the dynamics and control of populations including topics on birth control-abortion, China's One Child policy, cultural and religious viewpoints versus carrying capacity of the environment; finally, the clash between economic and political policy vs. the environment. |