Advanced Topics in Evolution - Ecopsychology
CRN
Course Number
Credits
Course Description
This student-led seminar course will explore the interdisciplinary field of ecopsychology. Students will design the syllabus and the choose the subjects studied, which may include such questions as: Is there an inherent emotional bond between humans and nature and if so why? Are there demonstrated psychological benefits to spending time in a natural setting? If there are psychological benefits, how can we make those benefits available to all? Do ecopsychology practices lead to sustainability and better ecosystem health?
The course structure is modeled after graduate school seminar courses in which students are the teachers and leaders. Class participants will work together to choose the course topics. For each topic, students will work in pairs to research seminar topics, assign readings, and plan and facilitate discussion-based seminars. The professor’s role will be to support students in their inquiry and to lend expertise in the science of ecology, animal behavior, and evolution.
Prerequisites
FAIR 203 & FAIR 206 or permission of the instructor.
Materials Fee
Required Texts
All readings will be on Canvas. Authors will mostly be chosen by students, but the professor is likely to assign excerpts from E.O. Wilson, Biophilia; Linda Buzzell and Craig Chalquist: Ecotherapy, Healing With Nature in Mind; J. Phoenix Smith, "Ecopsychology: Toward a New Story of Cultural and Racial Diversity"
Credit/Evaluation
S/NX grading. Regular attendance in class, informed participation in class discussions, preparing for and leading two seminars (including doing extra research and preparing an annotated outline prior to leading the class), and a class journal for recording written responses to class readings and thoughts about class discussions.