Environmental Studies Summer Courses

ENVS 15

Session 2

Introduces students to the range of natural species and communities occurring on the UCSC campus. All class time is spent outside, and each week a different area of campus is visited. Course 24 is recommended. 

Proposed Instructor: Tod Haddow

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ENVS 18

Session 1

Students gain proficiency in illustration media, and acquire training in the essential skills needed to create natural-history inspired illustrations. Students create illustrations and paintings by studying organisms in the Norris Center for Natural History collections, as well as those living on and around campus. Some experience in basic drawing and/or natural-history sketching is recommended. Students are billed a $60 materials fee. (General Education Code(s): PR-C.) 

Proposed Instructor: Jennifer Harrower

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ENVS 25

Session 2

Introduces the policy and economic dimensions of some pressing environmental challenges. Uses examples from population, water, climate change, and other topics to examine the economic underpinnings of environmental problems, the process of environmental policy-making, and the trade-offs in different policy solutions. (General Education Code(s): PE-E.)

Proposed Instructor: Rachel Voss

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ENVS 65

Session 2 

Online only course. 

Introduction to freshwater resources from multiple scientific and policy perspectives. After a review of basic concepts, water issues affecting cities, farms, open space, and multiple-use landscapes are studied. Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have previously received credit for course 165. (General Education Code(s): PE-E.) 

Course video

Proposed Instructor: Kelsey Forbush

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ENVS 104A

Session 1

A course in the process of field research and monitoring, with emphasis on use of the scientific method; experimental design, data handling, statistical analysis and presentation; and basic field methodologies. Application of basic field skills, including habitat description; methods for sampling plants, animals, soils, water, and microclimate; and observational and manipulative techniques to address ecological, conservation, and management questions. Prerequisite(s): satisfaction of the Entry Level Writing and Composition requirements; concurrent enrollment in course 104L and previous or concurrent enrollment in courses 100/L is required, or by permission of instructor. 

UCSC students who have not satisfied ENVS 100/L, please use this form to petition for enrollment: https://forms.gle/cfyv1sMy5er8z8uV8

Visiting students - use this form to petition for enrollment: https://forms.gle/cfyv1sMy5er8z8uV8

Proposed Instructor: Josephine Lesage

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ENVS 104L

Session 1

Students directly observe elements of natural history and ecological process; design and implement field studies based on lectures; deploy the methods discussed in lectures; and collect data to analyze, interpret, and report in written and oral forms. Concurrent enrollment in course 104A is required. 

Proposed Instructor: Josephine Lesage

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ENVS 125

8-Week

Online only class.

A survey of the diversity, structure, and functioning of California's ecosystems through time and the ways they have influenced and responded to human activities and stewardship. Topics include: ecosystem drivers such as climate, soils, and land-use history; human and ecological prehistory; comparative marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystem dynamics; and managed ecosystems such as range, fisheries, and agriculture. (Also offered as Biology:Ecology & Evolutionary 125. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.) Prerequisite(s): previous or concurrent enrollment in courses ENVS 100 and 100L. (General Education Code(s): PE-E.)

UCSC students who have not satisfied ENVS 100/L, please use this form to petition for enrollment: https://forms.gle/cfyv1sMy5er8z8uV8

Visiting students - use this form to petition for enrollment: https://forms.gle/cfyv1sMy5er8z8uV8

Proposed Instructor: Erika Zavaleta

See in Schedule of Classes 

ENVS 133

Special Session - June 17 - July 12, 2019

UCSC*: June 17- June 19, 2019
Cuba: June 20 - July 8, 2019

Join Professor Damian Parr and learn with a team of Cuban Agroecology leaders working on farms and gardens across Cuba. Over the past three decades, Cuba has attracted the world's attention for its ongoing transformation from an unjust and inequitable, high input, import/export-dependent agriculture and capitalist-based food system towards a citizen's "right-to-food" national policy, oriented towards diverse, ecological farming and gardening, and local/regional land and food distribution.The purpose of this study abroad experience is to offer students the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the agroecology movement in Cuba and to gain an understanding of Cuba's ongoing efforts to create a more just and ecologically sustainable food system.

Apply through Study Abroad by March 7

Course(s)

ENVS 133 Agroecology Practicum (5 units) - Lectures and demonstrations are combined with field applications to provide students practical experience and develop their knowledge and skills of agroecology and ecological horticulture.

ENVS 297 Independent Study (2 units) - Optional

The pre-trip seminar will be designated for reviewing the program, complementary readings, and site visits and field activities at the CASFS Farm and Garden to develop some basic, shared competencies for international travel to Cuba, and field practices in Agroecology.

Proposed Instructor: Damian Parr

ENVS 143

Session 2

Considers whether and how global poverty can be alleviated without irreparably damaging the environment. Examines interactions among population, economic growth, poverty, global consumption ethos, property rights systems, global economy, state capacity, and environmental damage. Scrutinizes impact of various developmental strategies adopted during the past 50 years on poverty, governance, and the environment. Prerequisite(s): Previous or concurrent enrollment in courses 100 and 100L, or by permission of instructor. 

UCSC students who have not satisfied ENVS 100/L, please use this form to petition for enrollment: https://forms.gle/cfyv1sMy5er8z8uV8

Visiting students - use this form to petition for enrollment: https://forms.gle/cfyv1sMy5er8z8uV8

Proposed Instructor: Adam French

See in Schedule of Classes 

ENVS 147

Session 1

Reviews research on race, class, and differential exposure to environmental hazards. Shows how environmental inequality has, from the start, been an essential feature of modernity. Situates the environmental-justice movement in the history of American environmentalism. Students cannot receive credit for this course and Sociology 185. Prerequisite(s): Previous or concurrent enrollment in courses 100 and 100L, or by permission of instructor. (General Education Code(s): ER.) 

UCSC students who have not satisfied ENVS 100/L, please use this form to petition for enrollment: https://forms.gle/cfyv1sMy5er8z8uV8

Visiting students - use this form to petition for enrollment: https://forms.gle/cfyv1sMy5er8z8uV8

Proposed Instructor: Pamela Rittelmeyer

See in Schedule of Classes 

ENVS 157

Session 2

Guided practice in writing effectively about science and natural history for a variety of audiences. Assignments emphasize reporting first-hand observations, explaining processes and phenomena, understanding scientific papers, and writing about scientific and technical subjects for a general audience. Enrollment priority will be given to students who have not taken course 156. Prerequisite(s): satisfaction of the Entry Level Writing and Composition requirements and previous or concurrent enrollment in courses 100 and 100L, or by permission of instructor.

UCSC students who have not satisfied ENVS 100/L, please use this form to petition for enrollment: https://forms.gle/cfyv1sMy5er8z8uV8

Visiting students - use this form to petition for enrollment: https://forms.gle/cfyv1sMy5er8z8uV8

Proposed Instructor: Myra Finkelstein

See in Schedule of Classes 

ENVS 190

Session 2

A synthetic course that draws on the knowledge and skills students bring from other courses in the major. Focuses on written and oral individual and group projects in which students must take the initiative. Emphasizes developing skills critical for students in their future careers. Prerequisite(s): course 100; Entry Level Writing and Composition requirements. Enrollment is restricted to senior environmental studies majors and the combined majors with Earth sciences, biology, and economics.

Proposed Instructor: Katie Monsen

See in Schedule of Classes