Course Schedule and Catalog

Long Title: THE SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT: THE LITERATURE OF PLACE

Department: Environmental Studies

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Distribution Group: Distribution Group I

Distribution Group: Distribution Group III

Credit Hours: 3

Description: This course is intended as an introduction to environmental studies and the concept of a sustainable environment for students from all divisions of the campus. The course will focus on the scientific basis for our current environmental situation, on social and cultural attitudes and values relating to the environment as represented in literature, history, and public policy, and on the constant interaction among these various approaches. Cross-list: UNIV 111.

Long Title: ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS SEMINAR: WATER

Department: Environmental Studies

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Seminar

Distribution Group: Distribution Group III

Credit Hours: 1

Description: Water - one of the most basic and important components of the environment. But how is the water cycle changing and what are the current issues? In this semester's course we will discuss water from an interdisciplinary perspective, from reservoirs, and flow, through life and uses, to pollution and rights. Cross-list: BIOS 113, ESCI 113.

Long Title: NATURAL DISASTER SEMINAR

Department: Environmental Studies

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Seminar

Distribution Group: Distribution Group III

Credit Hours: 1

Description: Hurricanes have devastated the United States over the last two hurricane seasons. We will investigate the science behind hurricanes and the impacts of hurricanes on humans. We will learn what controls hurricanes and uncertainty in prediction. We also will look at historical and modern human reactions and responses to major events.

Department: Environmental Studies

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Distribution Group: Distribution Group III

Credit Hours: 3

Long Title: INTRODUCTION TO THE ENVIRONMENT: ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY AND ENVIRONMENTAL LITERATURE

Department: Environmental Studies

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: This course is intended as an introduction to environmental studies from all divisions of the campus. The course focuses on attitudes and values relating to the environment as represented in environmental history and environmental literature.

Long Title: ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: RICE INTO THE FUTURE

Department: Environmental Studies

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Distribution Group: Distribution Group II

Distribution Group: Distribution Group III

Credit Hours: 3

Description: This course addresses science, technology, and policy elements of environmental issues. Students use the campus and local community as a laboratory in which to do projects to reduce environmental impacts, enhance sustainability, or resolve environmental problems.

Long Title: ENVIRONMENTAL BATTLES IN THE 21ST CENTURY: HOUSTON AS MICROCOSM

Department: Environmental Studies

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Distribution Group: Distribution Group II

Credit Hours: 3

Description: This course will examine Houston (and neighboring areas) as a vivid case study in a broad array of environmental issues that engage policymakers, business leaders, scientists and other researchers, environmentalists, and citizens, not just in Houston but also across the United States and in other nations. There would be a particularly strong focus on air pollution, given Houston's well-known air quality problems and the especially complicated challenges they present. As with other topics covered in the course, air quality would be addressed in a multi-faceted manner, with discussion of its scientific, political, economic, sociological and historical dimensions.

Department: Environmental Studies

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Independent Study

Credit Hours: 1 TO 6

Description: Provides enrollment credit for approved internships with environmental organizations or agencies. Students must seek approval prior to beginning the internship. Weekly progress reports and a final paper are required. Instructor Permission Required.

Long Title: INDEPENDENT STUDY

Department: Environmental Studies

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Independent Study

Credit Hours: 3 TO 9