Environmental Studies Course Offerings
Course offerings may be subject to change. Please be sure to check the grid schedule of classes on BU Brain for up-to-date course information.
Spring 2025
ENVI 101 - Humans & Ecological Environment
The first 40 percent of the course covers major principles of ecology, including food-chain relationships, material cycling, community structure, population regulation and ecological succession. Following this are population, agriculture, nutrition, forestry and wildlife. Concludes with a consideration of policy, economic and ethical concerns. Required of all environmental studies majors. Format: Lecture with supplementary discussion groups; a few field trips in nature preserve to illustrate facets of course material; grade based on three examinations, a final and discussion grade.
Counts towards the 'Environment & Man/Woman: Ecological Perspective' requirement for all majors
ENVI 149 - Environmental Ethics
This course is an introduction to some philosophical aspects of contemporary environmental issues. Topics to be covered will include the relationship between material consumption and quality of life, the nature and relevance of collective action problems, the moral standing of future generations, the justifiability of decision procedures like cost-benefit analysis and the precautionary principle, the just distribution of environmental burdens, and whether non-human beings deserve moral consideration. Simultaneously taught: PHIL 149*/ ENVI 149 (*denotes primary course)
Counts towards the 'Introduction to Policy Course' requirement for all majors
ENVI 180L - Rivers in Literature
This class examines the “place” of natural landscapes in literature by focusing on the river as a foundational site and symbol of the human imagination. Using the figural, narrative, and philosophical dimensions of the river as a lens, we will explore key epochs of literary history from ancient epics (e.g., Gilgamesh) to modern poetry (e.g., Seamus Heaney). A core question that will guide us is: how can rivers (and landscapes more broadly) function as guides through literary history, and why have cultures—especially in the German-speaking world—so often chosen the imagery of rivers in particular as a means for imagining and (re)constructing their own histories? Genres and epochs include: ancient and medieval epic poetry, Romanticism, Modernism and contemporary literature, along with art, film, music, and landscape architecture.
ENVI 201 - Humans & Physical Environment
Interdisciplinary approach to the study of how humans interact with their environment, emphasizing environmental geology and environmental chemistry. Topics include human use of energy: sources, environmental consequences (including air pollution), socio-economic aspects; use of water, including its contamination and disposal of wastes; natural hazards and their impact on human activities; introduction to land use; and environmental planning.
Counts towards the 'Environment & Man/Woman: Physical Aspects' requirement for all majors
ENVI 280J - Research in Climate Justice
This course explores the fraught politics of the climate crisis with an emphasis on issues of justice. Course materials weave together the past, present, and future of life on earth, highlighting the connections between climate justice and the regeneration of democratic institutions, the repair of historical injustices, the rebuilding of international solidarity, and the reimagination of global governance.
Counts towards the 'Introduction to Policy Course' requirement for all majors
ENVI 281V - Global Food Sovereignty
Despite the homogenization of cuisines encouraged by a globalized industrial agricultural system and the over-abundance of food it creates, most humans still rely heavily on small-scale food producers and local food webs. In this class, we take a surveyed look at these place-based food webs around the world through exploring the concept of food sovereignty and how it has been mobilized by peasant and Indigenous farmer movements, especially in the Global South and among the Global Majority. In juxtaposition with and distinction from a centralized and corporatized food system, we will consider the implications of these local food webs and movements on land, environment, and community and individual health. This course explores peasant and Indigenous-led food system development and maintenance, as well as responses to Western colonial models of eating, producing, and living built on neoliberal policies and logics. We will analyze the political, economic, and environmental challenges to food sovereignty initiatives and their implications for mainstream understandings of food, food production, and relationships with collective resources such as water, land, and people. Overall, this course introduces students to food sovereignty and the global food system through a range of readings and approaches including the economic, political, cultural, social, racial, and ecological, both now and in the past.
Counts towards the 'Lower-level Course Related to Environmental Studies' requirement for all majors
ENVI 312 - Environmental Law & Policy
Primary focus is on environmental law as fashioned by opinions in the Federal Courts of Appeal and the U.S. Supreme Court. Both common law (nuisance and toxic torts) and statutory laws such as the Clean Air Act, National Environmental Policy Act, CERCLA (Superfund Act) and RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) receive attention. Public policy implications of environmental laws and regulations are discussed. Does not count for Environmental Studies science requirements.
Counts as an Upper-level credit for Sustainable Systems majors
ENVI 336 - Sweet Harvest: Bees and Maple
Beekeeping and maple syrup production are two forms of specialized agricultural production that are growing in popularity across the U.S., and particularly in the Northeast. Building upon primary research conducted in the state of Maine, this course will explore these two practices across the Northeast, with particular focus in New York State. We will take an interdisciplinary approach, studying the history of production, the biological and ecological components, the embedded social and cultural meanings, and specifically climate change’s impacts on the present and future for beekeeping and maple syrup production. Course will include guest lectures and field trips. There is a $25 fee associated with this course.
Counts as an Upper-level credit towards the Ecosystems BA (363), Ecosystems BS (865), or Sustainable Systems BA (565) majors
ENVI 340 - Nat Res Equity in Global South
This course focuses on natural resource management in the Global South. The principal challenge facing conservationists is that most biodiversity persists in areas where humans live, which creates competing interests in land and nature. This course will examine these conflicts between local populations, conservationists, and national/international policymakers. We will discuss and explore issues pertaining to biodiversity conservation, international protected areas, human rights, environmental history and politics, global inequities, and sustainable development. Students will learn from real-world cases about the challenges facing indigenous peoples seeking rights to nature and their homelands and conservationists seeking protection of the earth's dwindling biological diversity.
Counts as an Upper-level credit towards the Ecosystems BA (363), Ecosystems BS (865), or Sustainable Systems BA (565) majors
ENVI 357 - Biology & Conservation of Birds
Basic biology of birds, focusing on characteristics affecting their ecological role. Conservation issues involving birds. Six to eight field trips and two field projects emphasizing identification, behavior and ecology. Two of the field trips are on weekends. Prerequisite: BIOL 114. 4 credits. There is a laboratory fee of $20 for this course.
Counts as an Upper-level credit towards the Ecosystems BA (363), Ecosystems BS (865), or Sustainable Systems BA (565) majors
ENVI 362 - Biodiversity as Ecosystem Service
Flood prevention, climate regulation, soil formation, and nutrient cycling are examples of ecosystem services provided by biodiversity. In this class, students learn to ecologically calculate biodiversity and to examine the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function – and how these functions translate (or not!) into ecosystem services. Classes will include case studies, group work, reading of primary literature and field trips to examine the role of biodiversity in natural and human modified spaces. We will also consider biodiversity through a social justice lens. A final student project will focus on drivers of biodiversity change and potential consequences.
Counts as an Upper-level credit towards the Ecosystems BA (363), Ecosystems BS (865), or Sustainable Systems BA (565) majors
ENVI 363 - Measuring the Natural World
This integrated lecture and field course provides hands-on experience in experimental design and measuring ecological data across organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems. We focus on developing basic skills needed for many careers, including data management and visualization, wetland delineation, and field-surveying for plants or other organisms. Classwork will be done in groups to mimic the real world work environment. A final project will allow students to design a research proposal for potential future investigation as an undergraduate, a graduate student, or simply a curious citizen. Students will regularly travel between campus and Nuthatch Hollow.
Counts as an Upper-level credit towards the Ecosystems BA (363), Ecosystems BS (865), or Sustainable Systems BA (565) majors
ENVI 381T - Plants and People II - 2 credit
Plants and People I was a survey on how humans and plants interact. In Plants and People II, the focus will largely be on 4 major areas of interest; Agriculture, Bio-pharmacology, plant products (i.e. plant dyes and fragrances), and Biomimicry. This course will include multiple projects and as many hands-on activities as possible/applicable.
Counts as 2-credits towards the Upper-level requirement for the Ecosystems BA (363), Ecosystems BS (865), or Sustainable Systems BA (565) majors
ENVI 397 - Independent Study - variable credits
Independent study under guidance of faculty member. Prior to registration, student must consult with the faculty supervisor and receive approval of problem to be studied and amount of credit to be received.
Counts towards the 'Upper-level research, teaching, and/or applied courses' requirement for all majors
ENVI 410 - Sustainable Communities 2: Policy & Practice
Building on ENVI 400, students in this class will continue to examine coupled human-nature systems; this time with a focus on policymaking and designing improvements in the systems. Students will examine regional and global topics through the lens of communities and ways that policies and actions can influence local livability and can impact the environment at scales from local to global. The class includes as part of its investigation the environmental justice and economic implications of policies.
Counts towards the 'Upper-level research, teaching, and/or applied courses' requirement for the Sustainable Systems BA (565) major
ENVI 413 - Environmental Studies Capstone
Course description: Three hours of class time per week. This capstone for all majors integrates environmental and social science, policy, and various research skills. Students with diverse backgrounds will work closely with each other in group assignments and semester-long group projects that will involve skills learned throughout the Environmental Studies program such as, but not limited to, literature review, field or laboratory work, data analysis, presentation writing, project management, and professional communication. Students are expected to conduct a project that addresses a local environmental problem, that may involve travel to sites off campus and meeting with local stakeholders.
Counts towards the 'Upper-level Capstone Course' requirement for all majors
ENVI 416/516 - Disaster Planning & Resilience
Disaster Planning & Resilience provides an overview of the types of disasters, both natural and manmade, and examines response efforts along with techniques to reduce impact, vulnerability, and risk. Community recovery involves assessing vulnerabilities, disaster preparation, and identifying those most at risk including community members with no or very limited resources. The course will review strategies following a disaster to reduce future vulnerability from hazards including differing storm types, other natural disasters, pandemics, environmental pollution, and civil unrest. Using the Disaster Impacts Model, we will review the process of determining levels of hazard exposure, physical vulnerability, and social vulnerability for the City of Binghamton.
Counts as an Upper-level credit towards the Sustainable Systems BA (565) major
ENVI 423 - Soils
Morphological properties of soils as natural bodies; factors and processes of development; role in natural ecosystems; and systems of classification at topographical, regional and global scales. Soil fertility and its role in land use. For majors and non-majors. Prerequisite: Geog 121 or equivalent.
Counts as an Upper-level credit towards the Ecosystems BA (363), Earth Systems BA (465), Sustainable Systems BA (565), Ecosystems (BS) 865, and Earth Systems BS (868) majors
ENVI 426 - Evolution and Sustainability
This course provides an introduction to evolutionary concepts relevant to biological and human social sustainability. Evolutionary training is essential because: a) the genetic evolution of nonhuman species takes place on ecological time scales; and b) human cultural change is also an evolutionary process. A single set of evolutionary principles can therefore be applied to both the natural and human components of coupled natural and human systems. The course will include a research component drawing upon ongoing research projects.
Counts as an Upper-level credit towards the Ecosystems BA (363), Ecosystems BS (865), or Sustainable Systems BA (565) majors
ENVI 438/538 - Agricultural Biotech: Science, Policy &Conflict
The development and commercialization of genetically engineered (GE) food or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has been a contentious issue since its introduction into the food system in the mid-1990’s. This course explores the historical development, policy change and social conflicts surrounding agricultural biotechnology with particular focus science, policy and technology. Students examine environmental, social, political, and ethical implications of applied biotechnology using real-world examples including the non-browning apple in the U.S., Golden Rice in India, and the Bt eggplant in Bangladesh.
Counts as an Upper-level credit towards the Ecosystems BA (363), Ecosystems BS (865), or Sustainable Systems BA (565) majors
ENVI 470 - Indigenous Knowledge & Environment
The course will compare Indigenous and western scientific knowledge systems, how they interact, and their relationship to environmental conservation, preservation, sustainability, and justice policies. Indigenous peoples' knowledge systems and diverse worldviews provide deep counter-narratives to mainstream political-economic and environmental assessments of planetary climate change. A key course theme is to understand how Indigenous community knowledge and livelihoods continue to be resilient in the face of ongoing colonialism, racism, discrimination, and intergenerational trauma. Approaches to integrating Indigenous research methods and epistemologies for documenting, managing, and maintaining sustainable ownership and control of Indigenous knowledge and lands through participatory community engagement are reviewed
Counts as an Upper-level credit towards the Ecosystems BA (363), Ecosystems BS (865), or Sustainable Systems BA (565) majors
ENVI 481A - Climate History
HIST 486A/ENVI 481A/ SOC 480B, HIST 501K This course examines the deep and recent history of human effects on climate and, conversely, climate's influence on human affairs. The course looks at the science and culture of global warming, the scientific discovery of climatic agency, the evolution of social scientific thought on human/climate interactions, models of climate catastrophism and social collapse, and the development of the Anthropocene as a new analytical paradigm. In moving back and forth between histories and theories of human/climate interaction, the course explores models of resilience and vulnerability to climate change so as to distinguish between natural and human agency. Students will thus engage with climatological methods in order to understand how historians and scholars of related fields have used, and should use, climate data in historical and sociological explanation. By taking a global historical perspective of climate change though a wide swath of the Holocene era, this course seeks to inform and contextualize current debates of global warming in the longer past. Are the intertwined histories of capitalism and the scientific revolution important to our current predicament? Why have attempts to slow global warming failed? Will lines of power and social disparity revealed by historical climate catastrophes be crucial, yet again, to determining the outcome of future climate change? Ultimately, does learning about climate’s past better prepare us for our climate future?
Counts as an Upper-level credit towards the Sustainable Systems BA (565) major
ENVI 481F - Evolution and Ecology
This course examines the relationships between ecology and evolution in historical, philosophical, and scientific contexts. Ecological relationships determine the evolutionary relationships between the organisms that coexist within ecosystems. Changes in ecological dynamics cause corresponding changes in the evolutionary adaptations and relationships within those changing ecosystems. Evolutionary changes, especially new adaptations, also change ecological dynamics. We will study both ecological and evolutionary changes over geological and recent times. We will also consider what changes are currently taking place in the relationships between ecology and evolution, and what such changes may mean for the future of life on Earth.
Counts as an Upper-level credit towards the Ecosystems BA (363), Ecosystems BS (865), or Sustainable Systems BA (565) majors
ENVI 481K/581L - The Environment Caribean & LA
What happened when Bolivia privatized water in 1999? Why are Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands struggling to recover from the two hurricanes IrMaria? This interdisciplinary course will focus on the environment of the Caribbean and Latin America from its pre-Columbian past until today. Through readings in environmental history, literature and ecocriticism, history of science, as well as film, and art, this course will investigate the various polemics surrounding the extraction of natural resources (gold and oil), as well as deforestation; natural disasters such as floods and hurricanes; climate change, gender, and migration, as well as other factors that affect the environment of Latin American and Caribbean peoples. We will also research sustainable development practices in use by Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx communities in agriculture, forestry, and tourism. The course will be taught in English but Students will be expected to give at least 2 presentations and provide peer critiques. Students will write 2 major essays, one of which will be revised. Page numbers will vary, according to whether students are taking the course for graduate or undergraduate credit.
Counts as an Upper-level credit towards the Ecosystems BA (363), Ecosystems BS (865), or Sustainable Systems BA (565) majors
ENVI 481N - Climate and Conflict
Conflict is worsened by climate change, and conflict / violence contributes to climate change (e.g., deforestation, sabotaging oil infrastructure, resource pressures associated with large-scale displacement). Yet, there is no simple “climate wars” explanation for these connections. This interdisciplinary course facilitates students’ investigation of the intersections between climate change and conflict and introduces the multiple lenses of violence (direct, structural and cultural). Students are introduced to key principles and practices to study various dimensions of climate change via topics such as mass violence and genocide, forced migration, natural resource conflicts, climate change denial, environmental activism, indigeneity, environmental justice, and development. Students will engage in comparative and interdisciplinary analysis of the relationship between climate change, conflict and violence, which culminates in a final project design that helps each student think about how they wish to respond to such a challenge. A global perspective is taken, focusing on cases in North America, Asia, and Africa.
Counts as an Upper-level credit towards the Sustainable Systems BA (565) major
ENVI 483B - Planning the Sustainable University
Students in this project-based course will work with members of the University Sustainability Committee to design and implement programs to improve the University’s sustainability. Students will research practices at other universities. Potential projects will be evaluated based on their potential for producing the most sustainable outcomes for the least cost. Students will write up case studies of their projects for submission. May be repeated for credit.
Counts as an Upper-level credit towards the Sustainable Systems BA (565) major
ENVI 491 - Practicum in College Teaching
Independent study by assisting in the teaching of ENVI courses, particularly ENVI 101 or 201. Assignments include leading discussion sections, maintaining office hours, reading papers. Closely directed by instructor. Generally open only to seniors. Pass/Fail option only. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
Counts towards the 'Upper-level research, teaching, and/or applied courses' requirement for all majors
ENVI 495 - Internship in Environmental Studies
Counts towards the 'Upper-level research, teaching, and/or applied courses' requirement for all majors
ENVI 498 - Honors Thesis I
Independent in-depth research under supervision of a faculty member. May be taken as a one-semester project, or as a precursor to the Honors Thesis (ENVI 499). Prerequisite: approval of the faculty supervisor.
Counts towards the 'Upper-level Capstone Course' requirement for all majors
ENVI 499 - Honors Thesis II
Preparation and defense of an honors thesis. Usually an extension of the work undertaken in ENVI 498. Prerequisites: ENVI 498 and approval of faculty supervisor.
Counts towards the 'Upper-level Capstone Course' requirement for all majors
