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ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2017-2018
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UES 293, 393, 493 Independent Study in Urban Environmental Studies (½ or 1)
Directed study for advanced students in the major. Specific guidelines concerning
independent study projects appear in the “Exploration Term and Contract Learning”
section of this catalog.
UES 298, 398, 498 Teaching Experience in Urban Environmental Studies (½ or 1)
A teaching experience course. Specific guidelines concerning teaching experiences
appear in the “Teaching Experiences” section of this catalog.
UES 310 Environmental Problems and Policy (1)
An introduction to U.S. and international policies that address our many significant
environmental problems. With more than 30 major U.S. environmental laws and over 300
international agreements, the course highlights selected domestic and international
policies and processes. A Leadership Studies designated course. Prerequisite: sophomore
standing. Spring.
UES 330 Asian Perspectives on Environmental Science (1)
An interdisciplinary examination of environmental science from perspectives of Asian
thought. The course supplements Anglo-European perspectives on the environment to
achieve a more global understanding of environmental science. Topics include the
problem of change, presuppositions of science, silent transformations, reversal and
propensity, ecology and ecofeminism, energy and natural capital, biodiversity and
chemical cycling, climate and future sustainability. Since environmental science studies
how humans interact with the environment, this course emphasizes the necessary
integration of humanities with social and natural sciences. (Also listed as AN 330.)
Prerequisite: sophomore standing.
UES 360 Environmental Justice (1)
An introduction to the environmental justice movement with a cross-national focus. The
course provides insights into environmental justice issues through service-learning
opportunities in Birmingham as well as through field trips and engagement with class
speakers. Also provides experience in environmental problem solving, public policy
issues, and research design.
A service-learning integrated course.
Prerequisite: UES 310.
Fall.
UES 370 Environmental Hazards and Urban Social Risks (1)
An examination of environmental hazards (tectonic-earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes,
extreme weather, hydrological events, disease epidemics) and urban social risks (poverty,
war, starvation, crime) utilizing analytical perspectives from both the physical and social
sciences. The social and political construction of risks and hazards and mitigation
strategies are examined, and resources from local, national, and international
governmental and non-governmental organizations involved in risk reduction are utilized.
The course may include fieldwork and/or travel. (Also listed as GCS 370 and PS 370.)
Prerequisite: at least sophomore standing.