Department: Urban Environmental Studies

William G. Holt

Assistant Professor/Coordinator of Urban Environmental Studies

Office:

313 Harbert

Contact Information:

Box 549007
Birmingham-Southern College
900 Arkadelphia Rd
Birmingham, AL 35254
Office Phone: (205) 226-4834
Office Fax: (205) 226-4847
E-mail: wholt@bsc.edu

Brief Career Background:

Prior to entering academia, Dr. Holt worked as an urban planner in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. Working in long-range planning, Holt was involved with planning efforts for the 1996 Summer Olympics as well as the 2050 Monumnetal Core Plan for the national capital.

Educational Background:

Ph.D. Yale University
J.D. Vermont Law School
M.C.P. Georgia Institute of Technology
B.A. University of Georgia

Areas of Academic Interest:

Environmental & Energy Law
Environmental Policy
Urban Planning & Design
Urban Sociology

Research Interests:

Climate Change
Sustainibilty/Green Building Programs
Land Use Issues
Community Development

Courses Taught:

UES 110 Sustainability: Southern Cities & The World

UES 210 Environmental Problems and Policy (1)
An introduction to U.S. and international policies that address our many significant environmental problems. There are more than 30 major U.S. environmental laws, and over 300 international agreements addressing environmental issues ranging from transboundary air pollution to trade in endangered species to nuclear non-proliferation. Selected U.S. and international policies and processes are highlighted, and challenges and successes of U.S. and international environmental policy are explored. (Also listed as PS 210; a Leadership Studies designated course.)

SO 373 Urban Sociology (1)
Social organization of the urban community; historical and contemporary patterns in the structure and growth of the city; cross-national processes of urbanization and social change. Prerequisite: SO 101 or 102. Fall.

SO 376 Environmental Sociology (1)
Examines environmental issues from a sociological perspective. Emphasis is placed on human causes of environmental change such as science and technology, the government and the economy, population and consumption, and religion and culture; social and environmental consequences of the relationships between humans and the environment. Prerequisite: SO 101 or 102, or UES 150.

UES 470 Senior Seminar in Environmental Studies (1)
An interdisciplinary capstone experience for the integration and synthesis of disciplines and subject areas related to the major, with an emphasis on problem-solving. The course involves readings, guest speakers, instructor and student-led discussions, and a significant project (with written and oral components) that focuses on advancing urban sustainability. Prerequisite: senior standing or consent.