Social Processes and the Environment NR 104

Course Description Two integrated courses form a 6-credit block for year 2 of the Rubenstein School’s core curriculum.  NR 103 builds on NR 1, establishing a study of ecology fundamental to environmental problem-solving, while NR 104 builds on NR 2, establishing a study of human social systems dependent on nature and culture.  The study of ecology and human society are integrated through identifying and analyzing real problems, and synthesizing and communicating solutions through overlapping assignments.  This broad introduction to environmental problem-solving is in preparation for Ecosystem Management (NR 205) and Environmental Problem Solving (NR 206), in which student groups contract with local government agencies, citizen groups, NGOs, or university projects to help solve critical problems. NR 104 establishes a study of human social systems dependent on nature and culture consistent with the findings and current understanding of the natural sciences.  Our guiding question will be how humans allocate scarce resources to meet alternative desirable ends.  Scarcity is defined through the framework of ecological economics.  Allocation is explored through market organization and market failure.  Means and ends are connected by governance, institutions, and public policy.  And our desirable ends are investigated through the study of ethics and philosophy, and the search for consilience (or unity of knowledge) amongst the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Offered Fall and Spring semesters every year (alternating with Clare Ginger) Course Syllabus Fall 2009