Transylvania University
AC-1: Academic Courses

ANTH 3404 Sustainable Development

SOC 1054 Cultural Geography: Provides an introduction to the study of spatial distributions of people on earth, including population trends, migration, land use, urbanism and changing global systems.

SOC 2644 Social Change and Social Movements: A wide-ranging examination of the history, causes, and dynamics of social change and social movements. Emphasis is placed on analyzing and interpreting changes and movements in the past 200 years, with special focus on current movements as they respond to the results of past and present social dynamics.

SOC 3134 ST: Sociology of the Environment:

SOC 3244 Social Inequality and Stratification: Analysis of evidence and theories of current forms of social differentiation, including status, class, , gender, political, and life chance inequalities. Topics include poverty and social mobility, interrelations of different
forms of inequality, stasis and change in stratification systems, and proposals for redressing illegitimate forms of social inequality.

SOC 3404 Sustainable Development

ANTH 3204: ST: Environment Anthropology

SOC 3134 ST: Sociology of Food

REL 2294 ST: Food and Faith

IDS 2204: The Garden of Transylvania Our main purpose is to get closer to finding the answer to the question: “What is the good life?”. We will specifically try to explore the more explicit question of “How does a garden fit into the good life?”
During the course of these explorations, the successful student will:
- Learn about the basic principles of gardening;
- Learn about her/himself and our modern society: all kinds of issues connected to growing
food, gardens, communities, etc.;
- Develop some knowledge of some essential gardening facts and concepts, as well as use
critical thinking skills in relation to scientific research, communication, etc.; learn to use
available resources;
- Develop some independent views and prepare to conduct simple research on current issues in
the chemical, agricultural and societal aspects of gardens;
- Participate in all class-related experiences with an open mind and ready hands;

ENG 2134 American Writing of Nature: A study of the ways in which recent American writers represent nature and of the meaning and viability of an ecological culture. The course will allow students to become aware of how literature (essays, fiction, poetry) explores different ways of naming our relation to the land, to other life forms, and, of course, to other humans. Among the writers studied are Barry Lopez, Leslie Silko, Gary Snyder, and Denise Levertov.

ENG 2344 The Culture of Nature: A study of ways in which popular culture in the U.S. shapes assumptions about nature. The course provides students with a critical language designed to illuminate cultural products in a variety of media (print, film,television, etc.) as well as those aspects of daily life which communicate ideas of nature implicitly. This course will treat a range of topics in relation to environmental concerns, including, for example, gender, wilderness, food, tourism, labor, and the sciences.

ENVS 1024 Environmental Science: A broad overview of the structure and function of environmental systems and the impact of human cultures on these systems. The complexity and multidisciplinary nature of environmental issues involving, for example, population growth, air and water pollution, biogeochemical cycles, and energy demands and alternatives are considered, but emphasis will be placed on our scientific knowledge of these issues.

ANTH 3424 Appalachia and the Environment: From the beginning of human habitation to the present, the physical landscape of Appalachia has shaped the culture
and society of Appalachian peoples. This course examines the relationship of the physical and cultural aspects of Appalachia, from Ice Age hunters to the present. Recent environmental and anti-environmental movements are discussed. Using anthropological, geographical, and sociological literature, students will develop an understanding of the complex relationship of the physical and cultural landscapes, examine the power of historical trends and legacies, and critically examine stereotypes and commonly held beliefs about the region.

BIO 2164 Ornithology: Investigates the evolution, anatomy, physiology, behavior, ecology, and conservation of birds. Field study will focus on the development of skills for identification of North American bird species with an emphasis on local birds. Students will also conduct a small-scale field research project. Lecture, laboratory and field trips.

BIO 4144 Ecology: The study of how organisms interact with their environment and how this affects their distribution and abundance. Both applied and theoretical aspects of ecology will be investigated at the individual, population, community, and ecosystem levels.

CHEM 1004 Chemistry in Society: An introduction to the field of chemistry where the material studied will center on real-world societal problems and issues. These issues are set in their social, political, and economic contexts.

CHEM 3044 Environmental Chemistry:The study of the sources, reactions, transport, effects, and fates of chemical species in water, soil, and air environments, as well as the influence of human activities upon these processes.

BIO 1206 Biology: Organisms and Ecosystems: An investigation of the core concepts of biology: evolution, information flow, structure and function, homeostasis, and emergent properties of biological system. This course examines these core concepts at
organismal and ecological levels. Students will improve competencies in quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, the ability to apply the process of science, and understand of the link between science and society.

BIO 2504 Entomology: Students will learn the basic morphology, physiology, and taxonomy of this abundant and diverse group of animals. The course will also explore how insects as pollinators, vectors of disease, and/or competitors have influenced human civilization. Students will visit a variety of natural habitats (e.g., ponds, forest, old fields) to capture and identify insects for their collection. Emphasis will be placed on recognizing insects found in Kentucky.

BIO 2424: ST: Natural History of KY: he core of this course includes (and goes beyond) the identification of characteristics of Kentucky’s biota. We will attempt to become more familiar with reading an ecosystem, from the biotic and physical components (the “pieces”) to their distribution across the landscape (“patterns”) and the forces that drive those patterns (“processes”). Through the course of the semester, we will sharpen our ability to identify common organisms and describe their characteristics and habitats. But, more importantly, we will work to strengthen our understanding of the evolution of regional habitats and biota and interactions thereof, and discuss current research and conservation topics pertaining to this.

IDS 2294: ST: Campus Sustainability

ANTH 3204: ST: Environment Anthropology

SOC 3134 ST: Sociology of the Environment

ANTH 3204: ST: Environment Anthropology

PHIL 2084 Environmental Philosophy: A philosophical investigation of conceptions of our relations and responsibilities to the environment. Issues to be explored include animal rights, the preservation of biological diversity, and population control.

SOC: ST: Sociology of the Environment

ANTH 3404 Sustainable Development: Explores the concept of sustainable development, from the beginning of the era of international development following World War II to the present. The course explores the challenges involved in creating sustainable development, from the socio-cultural issues and environmental concerns to the definition of sustainability. Case studies will help highlight these issues.

REL 2294 ST: Sustainability and Theology

All courses were evaluated by the committee creating the sustainability studies major/minor pattern. Existing courses that contribute to the future major were considered courses that contain significant sustainability components.