Environmental Studies

Michael Benedict (2006), Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies

B.S., Universidade Santa Úrsula, Brazil;

M.S., University of Toledo;

Ph. D., University of Toledo

Martin K. Huehner (1979), Adjunct Professor of Environmental Studies
B.A. Hiram, College;
Ph. D., University of Cincinnati;
Master of Visual Arts, National Institute of Art, Australian National University

Sarah Mabey (2007), Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies

B.A., Bryn Mawr College;

M.S., University of Maryland, College Park;

Ph.D., University of Southern Mississippi

Stephen L. Zabor (1980), Professor of Economics and Environmental Studies
B.A., Carleton College;
Ph.D., Northwestern University

Department web address:

http://www.hiram.edu/envstudies/index.html

 

Introduction

The Hiram College Environmental Studies Program provides students with an array of exciting features and learning opportunities that are as distinctive as they are unique. The program emphasizes the importance of exploring personal interest in nature and environmental issues through interesting courses, hands on learning, real world work experience, and interactions with exceptional faculty. It is offered through both the Traditional and Weekend Colleges.

 

The Mission of the Hiram College Environmental Studies (EVST) Program is to offer opportunities for students to become informed and responsible citizens of the world by gaining enough breadth and expertise to critically evaluate issues that concern local and global human impacts on our natural environment, and subsequently on ourselves. More specifically, the Program encourages students to develop individualized interdisciplinary perspectives and emphasizes problem solving approaches to understanding the dynamic and complex balance between human activities and the integrity of the environment that supports us.

The course of study is strongly interdisciplinary in its nature and requires students to assimilate sometimes opposing perspectives and information from widely different domains of human endeavor, and to integrate these into an attitude of constructive environmental advocacy and problem solving collaboration. Past graduates have entered a wide range of careers which include pollution control, agricultural economics, public health, resource recovery, environmental assessment and planning, community development, environmental education, public lands management, parks and recreation, environmental consulting, wildlife management, natural resource management, public policy, to name some. The Environmental Studies Program also provides excellent preparation for graduate work in these areas, which most of our graduates eventually pursue. The Program allows students to choose from either a Major or Minor in Environmental Studies which are further described below.

The Environmental Studies Program is administered and primarily taught by the Environmental Studies faculty (Michael Benedict, Martin Huehner, Sarah Mabey, Stephen Zabor).  A broad spectrum of additional contributing faculty provides further courses, perspectives, and secondary advisors from many different disciplines represented by Art, Biology, Chemistry, Communications, Economics, Education, History, Philosophy, and others.

 

Environmental Studies Major

Students interested in an Environmental Studies major or minor must choose an advisor from the Environmental Studies faculty (Benedict, Mabey, or Zabor) as soon as possible to establish a course schedule. It is especially important to do this early in the student’s college career because some of the Environmental Studies courses are not offered every year; in addition, some required environmental studies courses can be used to fulfill general graduation requirements. The Environmental Studies advisor will also guide the student in selecting and approving an Area of Concentration, help establish and evaluate an internship, and verify that the appropriate courses have been taken for graduation. Special areas of expertise are provided by other members of the faculty who may serve as secondary advisors.

Students majoring in Environmental Studies should begin by taking Interdisciplinary 225 (Humans and the Environment) and other core and correlative course requirements. Although an interdisciplinary synthesis is critical to graduates working in environmental fields, the Hiram Environmental Studies major is strengthened by requiring each student to develop an independent Area of Concentration, consisting of a minimum of 4 - 6 courses. These courses can consist of a mixture of current Hiram course offerings, courses transferred in from other institutions (i.e., a specialized summer course), and student-designed independent studies courses. Some Areas of Concentration (such as Environmental Education and Environmental Art) have specific course requirements plus electives to add flexibility for personal interests.

To further augment each student’s experience, an internship experience with an off-campus organization or a senior research project is required and is developed jointly by the student and his or her Environmental Studies advisor. Internships have varied greatly in their scope over the years, and have ranged from public policy work to wildlife rehabilitation; some have turned into full-time employment after the student intern graduates. The capstone course is the Senior Seminar, in which each student, building on their area of concentration, researches, evaluates, and presents environmental issues of her or his choice.  Internships are typically done in the summer between the junior and senior year; Senior Research and Senior Seminar should be completed in the senior year.

The required correlative courses, which have been identified as priorities by employers and graduate programs, provide students with important quantitative and communication skills that are essential in environmental careers.

Courses required for the Environmental Studies Major (preferred courses are in boldface):

I. Entry Level Course: INTD 225: Humans and the Environment 

II.  Three sciences:

An Ecology course: BIOL 241, Principles of Ecology or BIOL 341, General Ecology, or BIOL 342, Marine Ecology

A Chemistry Course: CHEM 101, An Environmental Perspective or CHEM 115 or both CHEM 120 and 121              

A Geology Course: GEOL 209, Environmental Geology or GEOL 101, Physical Geology or GEOL 102, Field Geology

III. Two Economics Courses: ECON 201, Principles of Microeconomics, ECON 338, Environmental Policy (201 prerequisite) or either Public Policy Making, POLS 314 or INTD 304 with the permission of the EVST advisor.

IV. A Humanities course that deals with the environment. Choose one from among:

PHIL 271, Environmental Ethics or  HIST 240, Environmental History or An Ethics course approved by the EVST advisor and Faculty

V. The Following Advanced Environmental Studies (EVST) Courses: EVST 385, Junior Seminar: Area of Concentration, EVST 480, Senior Seminar, EVST 340, Environmental Legislation or POLS or INTD 304, Public Policy Making (cannot be used here if used above for ECON 338), EVST 498, Internship or 481, Senior Research

VI. Required Correlative Courses:                   

A course that deals with evaluation of numerical data: MATH 108, Statistics or MATH 132 Methods in Decision Making

                

TWO courses from among the following (others may be approved) in Writing or Communication, as established by student and advisor: WRIT 240, 311, 312 or 314; COMM 101, 220, 221, 230

VII. Area of Concentration:

Four to Six Courses as developed between student and advisor and approved by the EVST Faculty. 

 

Minimum Course Grade Requirements

Students must complete the required EVST core courses with a C or better.  To take EVST 385 (Area of Concentration), the student must have a C or better in INTD 225; to take EVST 480 (Senior Seminar), the student must have a C or better in EVST 385.

 

Requirements for Honors in Environmental Studies                         

To be a candidate for Honors in Environmental Studies, a student must satisfy the college requirements for honors as given under "Departmental Honors" in a previous section.

 

Environmental Studies Minor

The Environmental Studies Minor allows a student to obtain an environmental perspective that can meaningfully enhance his or her major in a specific discipline. Students of any major may elect to participate in the Environmental Studies Minor and those interested in this program must have an EVST faculty advisor to develop a plan of study. Students minoring in environmental studies should begin by taking INTD 225 and other core and correlative requirements. Internships typically are done in the summer between the junior and senior year.

Courses required for the EVST Minor:

I. Entry Level Course: INTD 225: Humans and the Environment 

II. Three sciences:

An Ecology course: BIOL 241, Principles of Ecology or BIOL 341, General Ecology, or BIOL 342, Marine Ecology

A Chemistry Course: CHEM 101, An Environmental Perspective or CHEM 115 or both CHEM 120 and 121              

A Geology Course: GEOL 209, Environmental Geology or GEOL 101, Physical Geology or GEOL 102, Field Geology

III. Two Economics Courses: ECON 201, Principles of Microeconomics, ECON 338, Environmental Policy(201 prerequisite) or either Public Policy Making, POLS 314 or INTD 304 with the permission of the EVST advisor.

IV. A Humanities course that deals with the environment. Choose one from among:

PHIL 271, Environmental Ethics or HIST 240, Environmental History

or An Ethics course approved by the EVST advisor and Faculty

V. One from among the Following:EVST 340, Environmental Legislation or POLS 314 or INTD 304, Public Policy Making (cannot be used here if used above for ECON 338) or POLS 205 (World Geography), or SOAN/MGMT 251 (Demography)

                 

VI. EVST 498, Internship or EVST 481, Senior Research

 

Environmental Studies Courses

209 Environmental Geology SM                                                           4 hours

An introduction to the relationship between humans and their physical environment in the field of geology. Topics covered include plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, soil weathering and pollution, landslides and mass wasting, subsidence and collapse, surface and ground water pollution, and solid and hazardous waste management. Laboratory exercises include basic rock and mineral identification, interpretation of topographic and geological maps, earthquakes, surface and ground water processes, and several field trips to local areas of interest. Also listed as Geology 209.

210 Sustainable Economic Development                                            3 hours

Population growth, rising consumption, inequality and use of damaging technologies have combined to create an environmental crisis of global magnitude demanding a broad-based analysis.  Abolishing poverty while simultaneously achieving true development and ecological stability will require a change in the values and culture of industrialized nations.  By examining the interaction between human economic systems and their encompassing ecological systems we will discover the source of the problems and the basic nature of the changes that must occur.

225 Humans and the Environment -- Interdisciplinary                      4 hours

This course highlights our place in the environment – our reliance and impact on critical natural systems, natural resources, and other species. Lectures and discussions relate patterns of natural ecosystems to human ecosystems, emphasizing the dependency of humans on the environment, exploring functions, inter-relationships, problems, and limitations. Students will examine environmental issues from multiple perspectives seeking solutions to local, regional, and global challenges. Population and population dynamics, resource use patterns, soils, food production, biodiversity, wildlife and other natural resource depletion, climate change, and economic, theological, and legal issues related to environmental problems and solutions are a few of the topics covered. Listed as INTD 225.

232 Organizational Ecology: Managing for Sustainability                  3 hours

Organizational Ecology examines the relationship between organizations – for-profit and not-for-profit – and nature.  It envisions an industrial ecosystem in which energy and material use is optimized, waste and pollution are minimized, and there is an economically and environmentally viable role for every product of a manufacturing process.  Successful organizations such as Herman Miller, Seventh Generation, Interface Inc., and Henkel will be examined to discover how their business practices foster positive relationships with all of the stakeholders including their natural environment.

240 American Environmental History                                                 4 hours

This course will introduce students to the history of environmental issues and environmental activism in North America. Students will consider how Native Americans interacted with the with the natural environment prior to the European arrival, how the Europeans who entered North America looked upon the natural environment and how their views and practices differed from those of the Native Americans, and how the European settlement in North America affected the natural environment. Students will also explore how the growth of industrial capitalism and westward expansion affected the natural environments, and how Americans view the “wilderness” and the environment in the nineteenth century. Finally, students will explore the rise of a conservation movement and social activism to protect and preserve the environment, and they will study closely the rise and growth of a modern environmental movement in the late twentieth century. Also listed as History 240.

241 Principles of Ecology SM                                                               4 hours

This introductory course covers fundamental aspects of climatology, biomes, distribution, and abundance of plants and animals, energy flow through ecosystems, nutrient cycling, population dynamics, species interactions, niche theory, community structure and dynamics, landscape ecology, and global ecological issues, as well as selected methodologies to study these phenomena. A portion of the course will entail field work at the James H. Barrow Field Station. Also listed as Biology 241. Offered yearly, alternating in traditional and weekend college formats. 

 

245 Introduction to Grant Writing                                                       3 hours

This is a writing-intensive course where we examine the different components of a grant proposal, discuss different grant formats, identify potential sources of grant funding, and write a grant. Although the emphasis is on Environmental grants, this course will provide the basics for grant writing that are applicable to other disciplines. Individual students will choose a project or idea for which they will write a grant. As we go over each grant component, students will write that portion of their grant. Feedback will be provided at each step so that students will have written a complete grant proposal by the end of the course.

250 Introduction to Wildlife Management and Techniques SM           4 hours

Wildlife management is an applied science that unites human needs and desires with active management of habitats and animal populations. This course introduces students to the diversity of human attitudes towards wildlife and explores strategies employed to protect and utilize wildlife resources for hunting, simple enjoyment, tourism, and ecosystem services as well as to avoid human-wildlife conflicts. The cornerstone of wildlife management is population ecology. Hence, students will gain hands-on experience with the survey, monitoring, and analytic techniques used to determine changes in animal populations through active participation in research at the Barrow Field Station. Using real-world data and case studies, students will be challenged to develop management and monitoring strategies to meet the goals of diverse human interest groups by balancing sound science, ethics, political will, and economic forces.

260 Environmental Art CM                                                                   4 hours

This course will incorporate environmental awareness with creative artistic responses to issues through the contemporary visual arts. It is intended to stimulate students seeking to learn about art placed in natural environments, art originating from natural objects, as well as to express statements on the environment through art. The primary studio focus will be on students creating their own art works in response to the nature  as well as what is learned from readings about contemporary environmental artists and their works. Also listed as Art 260.

270 Environmental Philosophy                                                            4 hours

An examination of the ethical, social, political, historical, and spiritual dimensions of human relations with nature. Course will explore recent developments in environmental theory, including deep ecology, ecological feminism, social ecology, bioregionalism, as well as alternative conceptions of nature in native and primary peoples. The history of American environmentalism and activism will also be addressed. Also listed as Philosophy 270.

275 Environmental Mapping                                                                3 hours

GIS, or Geographical Information Systems, is a class of software that allows information to be geographically referenced using digital maps linked with a database. GIS has become an extremely important tool in support of activities that takes place in a geographical context (e.g., human economic activity and population movement, land use patterns). This is a hands-on course in which students learn to use current software and hardware by collecting geographical data and creating maps. After classroom instruction in basic cartography, the use of GIS software, and GPS (global positioning system) technology, students will collaborate on designing and completing a mapping project.

280 Seminar                                                                                   1 - 4 hours

Offered to examine specific, contemporary environmental issues. Past topics have included Lake Erie, Endangered Species, Conservation Facilities Management, and Environmental Education.

281 Independent Study                                                                  1 - 4 hours

Prerequisites: Permission and Sophomore standing.

285 Natural History of NE Ohio: Nature Interpretation SM                 4 hours

This course deals with making observations about the natural world around us and developing and communicating ensuing explanations of its structure, composition, and dynamics based on available scientific (mainly geology, paleontology, and ecology)  information.  Specifically, exploration of regional geological history, the structural features it produced, regional climates, and past and present ecosystems are studied through relevant field trips to areas of interest.  Field trip locations include Lake Erie, local rivers, forests, bogs, rock outcrops, marshes, and many areas of the Hiram College Field Station.  Additionally, various nature education facilities and organizations will be visited to study how the public is informed and how natural resources are managed at each site.  Each student will be required to develop her or his own nature education presentation.

 

298 Practicum: Field Experience                                                   1 - 4 hours

Practical work in the field of environmental studies. Developed jointly by student and instructor. Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.

338 Environmental Policy                                                                    4 hours

This course will examine the economic and environmental impact of individual and organizational actions. Global relationships among economic growth, resource development and environmental quality will be analyzed. Consideration will be given to the issue of sustainability as we study market allocation and depletable, recyclable, reproducible, renewable, and replenishable resources and local, regional global pollution. Prerequisites: Economics 201 (see Correlative Courses) or permission of instructor. Also listed as Economics 338.

340 Environmental Legislation                                                            3 hours

Legislative development of environmental statutes and regulations. A thorough evaluation of environmental regulatory programs through review and analysis of the legal requirements, scientific application, and implementation by regulatory agencies. Focus will primarily be on examples from the State of Ohio, with reflections on the Federal level, and will be complemented with selected examples of case studies and site tours. Prerequisite: Interdisciplinary 225 or permission of instructor.

342 Natural Resources P/A                                                                 4 hours

This lecture-based course initially presents cultural, political, economic, and environmental concepts that relate to natural resource use.  We then look at renewable and nonrenewable resources, including land-based and energy, mineral, and water resources.  Here, we explore issues associated with the management of these different resources and environmental implications.  And finally, we address relationships between natural resource availability and development, and examine the issue of sustainable use.

344 Conservation Biology                                                                    3 hours

Conservation Biology is the study of species diversity in human-impacted landscapes. As human populations grow and the demand for natural resources increases human activities inevitably erode the integrity of natural ecosystems. This erosion leads to the loss of species, both locally and globally. In this course we will study what biodiversity is, how it arises and why it is important both for ecosystem functions and human well-being. We will also examine how human economic activities impact the natural world, the ecological mechanisms at work in the process of species extinction, and how research in conservation biology has led to the development of ways to halt or even reverse species loss. Prerequisites: Biology 141 or Biology 142, or BIOL/EVST 241. This course is also listed as Biology 344.

345 Forest Ecology Methods                                                               4 hours

Forests represent a major ecosystem in many parts of the world and are an important element in our regional landscape. This course addresses several ecological processes of forest ecosystems and selected methods used to investigate them. Its activities include intensive field work, some laboratory time, and supporting lectures on relevant concepts and methods. Field activities will be carried out at Hiram College's James H. Barrow Field Station, which contains one of the last regional stands of old-growth Beech-Maple forests. Prerequisites: INTD 225 or EVST/BIOL 241 or BIOL 141 or BIOL 142 or BIOL 151.

355 Wetlands, Rivers, and Coastal Areas                                           4 hours

This course offers an introduction to freshwater environments. It presents the structure, functional dynamics, and ecology of wetland, fluvial, and coastal ecosystems. Historic relationships of humans with surface waters are addressed and current human impacts and management aspects procedures are considered. Field trips and practical experiences will be conducted to areas that exemplify concepts studied. Prerequisites: sophomore standing

3XX Conservation Land Management P/A                                           4 hours

The management of lands for conservation integrates both scientific knowledge and the human interactions with the environment. This course uses an ecosystem management approach to address conservation of species, populations, and ecosystems. While concepts from ecology, conservation biology, and landscape ecology are emphasized as the scientific basis for management decisions, the human component is taken into consideration in the development of management plans. The course will include field work such as at Hiram College’s Field Station, analysis of different study cases, and may include introductory-level Geographic Information System project work. Prerequisites: computer familiarity; some science background will be helpful, especially ecology. This course can be used to fulfill an Area of Concentration Course for the EVST Major; it fulfils a nonlab science requirement.

380  Seminar                                                                                  1 – 4 hours

385 Exploring and Developing an Area of Concentration                   2 hours

A seminar course required of all EVST majors in the fall term of their junior year. Weekly meetings will guide students through the process of exploring, developing, and defining individual Area of Concentration proposals in a group process. By the end of the seminar, each student will have a finished, printed Area of Concentration statement, which will then be publicly presented. Prerequisites: at least a C in INTD 225 as well as Junior standing.

388 Soils, Food Production, and Population:                                     4 hours
Global Perspective SM  

As the world population continues to grow, as population centers shift increasingly from rural to urban, global agriculture systems are placed under increasing pressures to provide more food for those populations. At the very base of food production are soils; where, what kind, how much. Soil types, erosion/soil loss, conservation/cropping systems, management are some basic topics covered.  Building on this we will then look at different methods of food production, associated environmental problems, changing economics of agriculture, quantity and quality of food produced, global implications of increased population of both modern and modernizing countries on actual food supply and demand. The historical development of agricultural systems, what happens when a population mis-uses or outgrows soil and food production capabilities, and possible solutions are explored.  Soils, food production and population of the U.S., China, and Zambia will be compared/contrasted throughout the course.  Exercises will include basic assessment of chemical, physical and biological properties of soils sampled from different environments during field trips. Results will then be discussed in relation to lecture topics and actual food production.

480 Senior Seminar                                                                             3 hours

Intended to be a capstone course. Case study and library research approaches are used to study important, current environmental problems. Taught as an advanced seminar since enrollment will be self selective and limited. Topics may vary, depending on class interest and current events. Prerequisites: Environmental Studies core courses, senior standing, and permission of Environmental Studies advisor.

481 Independent Research                                                            1 - 4 hours

Provides an on-campus alternative to the Internship (below). Students investigate an environmental concern through library research, personal investigation, interviews, etc., and produce a paper, report, or brochure that assembles findings and conclusions. Students must receive approval from the Environmental Board before registering for this course. Prerequisites: Environmental Studies core courses, senior standing, and permission of Environmental Studies advisor(s).

 

498 Internship                                                                                1 - 4 hours

Developed in consultation with the student’s Environmental Studies advisor(s), the internship will be tailored to the interests and needs of the student and can be served in a wide variety of private and public organizations. Because Hiram College has no control over outside institutions, internships cannot be guaranteed for every student. Prerequisites: Junior standing and permission.

The following Interdisciplinary Courses are either offered by EVST Program Faculty or are associated as possible Area of Concentration Courses; See the Interdisciplinary Courses section of the catalog for complete descriptions.

 

INTD 318: Natural History in the 20th Century

INTD 336: Urban Design and Regional Planning

INTD 365; Urban Land Use Policy

INTD 367: Marginalized Voices of Central America

INTD 375: The Story of Water  (Northwoods)

INTD 385:  China’s Three Gorges Dam Project

INTD 381: Environmental Citizenship

Geology

Geology offerings at Hiram presently include three courses that serve the education major, the environmental studies program and student general interest.

101 Introductory Geology                                                                   4 hours

An introduction to the structure, dynamic systems, composition, and history of the earth. Topics covered include minerals, igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, volcanism, seismicity, landscape evolution, effects of water, wind and ice, plate tectonics, crustal deformations, geological time and a brief history of the North American continent. Laboratory exercises include rock and mineral identification, map interpretation and field excursions to local areas of interest.

102 Introductory Field Geology                                                          4 hours

An introduction to geology by examination and interpretation of geological processes and structures in the field. Taught between the Hiram campus and the Northwoods Field Station. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Can be substituted for Geology 101 for environmental studies students.

209 Environmental Geology                                                                4 hours

An introduction to the relationship between humans and their physical environment in the field of geology. Topics covered include plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, soil weathering and pollution, landslides and mass wasting, subsidence and collapse, surface and ground water pollution, and solid and hazardous waste management. Laboratory exercises include basic rock and mineral identification, interpretation of topographic and geological maps, earthquakes, surface and ground water processes, and several field trips to local areas of interest. Also listed as Environmental Studies 209.

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Information