General Education Courses

Course Description: This variable topic course examines one or more themes, figures, movements, or issues associated with the representation of women and gender in literature and media, and/or associated with the historical, cultural, and theoretical questions provoked by women as producers and consumers of media and texts. The topic for the course is chosen by the instructor, announced in the course subtitle, and developed in the syllabus. The course can be taken multiple times provided that the topic being studied has changed.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This variable topic course examines one or more themes, figures, movements, or issues associated with the representation of women and gender in literature and media, and/or associated with the historical, cultural, and theoretical questions provoked by women as producers and consumers of media and texts. The topic for the course is chosen by the instructor, announced in the course subtitle, and developed in the syllabus. The course can be taken multiple times provided that the topic being studied has changed.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: The major focus of this course is on the image of the deaf and the deaf experience as depicted in literature. The course attempts to define deafness and the cultural roles it plays in both texts by deaf authors and texts about deaf persons, as well as to examine particular literary forms related to the deaf experience. Thus, attention is also given to studying ASL poetry.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: The major focus of this course is on the image of the deaf and the deaf experience as depicted in literature. The course attempts to define deafness and the cultural roles it plays in both texts by deaf authors and texts about deaf persons, as well as to examine particular literary forms related to the deaf experience. Thus, attention is also given to studying ASL poetry.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course provides an in-depth look at literary giants and the masterpieces of prose or poetry they have created; it's an opportunity to see the role they played both within the context of their own time and within the larger span of literary history. These great authors confront key questions of modernity that continue to occupy us to this day; they ask the question of what it means to be human and explore fundamental human themes. They give us a fresh perspective on the past and on ourselves.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course provides an in-depth look at literary giants and the masterpieces of prose or poetry they have created; it's an opportunity to see the role they played both within the context of their own time and within the larger span of literary history. These great authors confront key questions of modernity that continue to occupy us to this day; they ask the question of what it means to be human and explore fundamental human themes. They give us a fresh perspective on the past and on ourselves.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Surveying the rise of computing technologies, information theories, and information economies in the last century, this course considers their impact on literature, culture and knowledge-formation. In particular, we will reflect on topics such as the relations between social and technological transformation, literary print and digital cultures and electronic literature.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Surveying the rise of computing technologies, information theories, and information economies in the last century, this course considers their impact on literature, culture and knowledge-formation. In particular, we will reflect on topics such as the relations between social and technological transformation, literary print and digital cultures and electronic literature.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course charts the development of the graphic novel, examines that history in relation to other media (including literary works, comics, film, and video games), and reflects on how images and writing function in relation to one another. Primary readings will be supplemented with secondary works that address socio-historical contexts, interpretive approaches and the cultural politics of the medium, such as representations of class, race, gender, and ethnicity.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course charts the development of the graphic novel, examines that history in relation to other media (including literary works, comics, film, and video games), and reflects on how images and writing function in relation to one another. Primary readings will be supplemented with secondary works that address socio-historical contexts, interpretive approaches and the cultural politics of the medium, such as representations of class, race, gender, and ethnicity.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course takes as its premise that spatial thinking is critically important. Spatial thinking informs our ability to understand many areas of 21st century culture, as mobile interfaces and geospatial technologies enable us to engage with our surroundings in new ways. The study begins with the history maps and mapmaking, and explores how maps work. As students create representational, iconographic, satirical, image-based, informational, and other map forms, the course emphasizes the map as narrative. The course develops into an exploration of the ways, particularly in texts, that mapmaking creates cultural routes, mobile forms of ethnography, and ways of imagining travel and tourism in the era of globalization. The diverse writers represented in this course are rethinking space as a dynamic context for the making of history and for different organizations of social and communal life.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course takes as its premise that spatial thinking is critically important. Spatial thinking informs our ability to understand many areas of 21st century culture, as mobile interfaces and geospatial technologies enable us to engage with our surroundings in new ways. The study begins with the history maps and mapmaking, and explores how maps work. As students create representational, iconographic, satirical, image-based, informational, and other map forms, the course emphasizes the map as narrative. The course develops into an exploration of the ways, particularly in texts, that mapmaking creates cultural routes, mobile forms of ethnography, and ways of imagining travel and tourism in the era of globalization. The diverse writers represented in this course are rethinking space as a dynamic context for the making of history and for different organizations of social and communal life.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course charts the development of the free culture movement by examining the changing relationship between authorship and cultural production based on a variety of factors: law, culture, commerce and technology. In particular, we will examine the rise of the concept of the individual author during the last three centuries. Using a variety of historical and theoretical readings, we will note how law and commerce have come to shape the prevailing cultural norms surrounding authorship, while also examining lesser known models of collaborative and distributed authoring practices. This background will inform our study of the rapid social transformations wrought by media technologies in last two centuries, culminating with the challenges and opportunities brought forth by digital media, mobile communications and networked computing. Students will learn about the role of software in highlighting changing authorship practices, facilitating new business and economic models and providing a foundation for conceiving of open source, open access, participatory, peer-to-peer and Free (as in speech, not beer) cultures.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course charts the development of the free culture movement by examining the changing relationship between authorship and cultural production based on a variety of factors: law, culture, commerce and technology. In particular, we will examine the rise of the concept of the individual author during the last three centuries. Using a variety of historical and theoretical readings, we will note how law and commerce have come to shape the prevailing cultural norms surrounding authorship, while also examining lesser known models of collaborative and distributed authoring practices. This background will inform our study of the rapid social transformations wrought by media technologies in last two centuries, culminating with the challenges and opportunities brought forth by digital media, mobile communications and networked computing. Students will learn about the role of software in highlighting changing authorship practices, facilitating new business and economic models and providing a foundation for conceiving of open source, open access, participatory, peer-to-peer and Free (as in speech, not beer) cultures.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course introduces students to the fields of experimental phonetics, the scientific study of the sounds used in human speech, and speech processing, the study of the speech signal used in automatic speech recognition, spoken emotion detection, and other technologies. Students will learn about the physiology of speech production and perception, and they will acquire the skills necessary to accurately describe speech concepts and to analyze speech using relevant methods and tools. Turning to speech processing technology, students will explore automatic speech recognition, speech synthesis, speaker identification, and emotion recognition, and learn how our understanding of human speech production and perception informs these technologies. The course will have relevance to other disciplines in the humanities, sciences, and technical fields. This course provides theoretical foundation as well as hands-on laboratory practice.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course introduces students to the fields of experimental phonetics, the scientific study of the sounds used in human speech, and speech processing, the study of the speech signal used in automatic speech recognition, spoken emotion detection, and other technologies. Students will learn about the physiology of speech production and perception, and they will acquire the skills necessary to accurately describe speech concepts and to analyze speech using relevant methods and tools. Turning to speech processing technology, students will explore automatic speech recognition, speech synthesis, speaker identification, and emotion recognition, and learn how our understanding of human speech production and perception informs these technologies. The course will have relevance to other disciplines in the humanities, sciences, and technical fields. This course provides theoretical foundation as well as hands-on laboratory practice.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is for students who want to explore the techniques of a single genre of creative writing and have already completed a creative writing workshop. Through reading and discussion, they will see their own writing in a larger context, culminating in a substantial body of work ready for publication. Reading/reflection and writing/revision will be emphasized all semester. The focus will be on the creation of creative works and the learning of stylistic and craft techniques. Ongoing work will be discussed with peer editors, which will not only help students rethink their work but teach them to become better editors. Group critiques will provide the opportunity to give and receive helpful feedback. Each class will rely extensively on the creative writing workshop model, and will focus on a specific genre of print-based creative writing. The course can be repeated up to three times, for 9 semester credit hours, as long the topics are different.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is for students who want to explore the techniques of a single genre of creative writing and have already completed a creative writing workshop. Through reading and discussion, they will see their own writing in a larger context, culminating in a substantial body of work ready for publication. Reading/reflection and writing/revision will be emphasized all semester. The focus will be on the creation of creative works and the learning of stylistic and craft techniques. Ongoing work will be discussed with peer editors, which will not only help students rethink their work but teach them to become better editors. Group critiques will provide the opportunity to give and receive helpful feedback. Each class will rely extensively on the creative writing workshop model, and will focus on a specific genre of print-based creative writing. The course can be repeated up to three times, for 9 semester credit hours, as long the topics are different.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is for students who have completed a college level writing course creative writing workshop and want to explore in-depth a literary genre or add to their skills as a creative writer whether interested in poetry, fiction, non-fiction, or a combination of genresa specific topic within creative writing. The focus will be on the creation of a significant piece of writing for a final project. In addition to planning and producing a single, sustained creative work, students will complete other exercises and assignments in order to experiment with other genresa variety of writing techniques. Through reading and discussion they will see their own writing in a larger context. Weekly Regular class critiques will provide the opportunity to give and receive helpful feedback.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is for students who have completed a college level writing course creative writing workshop and want to explore in-depth a literary genre or add to their skills as a creative writer whether interested in poetry, fiction, non-fiction, or a combination of genresa specific topic within creative writing. The focus will be on the creation of a significant piece of writing for a final project. In addition to planning and producing a single, sustained creative work, students will complete other exercises and assignments in order to experiment with other genresa variety of writing techniques. Through reading and discussion they will see their own writing in a larger context. Weekly Regular class critiques will provide the opportunity to give and receive helpful feedback.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is for students who have completed a creative writing workshop and want to explore how games and rules can be used to produce unique and unpredictable narratives. Projects will include individual writing exercises, collaborative writing practice, and critiques of peer writing. Students will examine how different game mechanics produce different kinds of narratives and may be encouraged to develop their own game-based writing projects. Through the reading and discussion of other narrative media, students will learn the affordances and limitations of game-based storytelling systems.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is for students who have completed a creative writing workshop and want to explore how games and rules can be used to produce unique and unpredictable narratives. Projects will include individual writing exercises, collaborative writing practice, and critiques of peer writing. Students will examine how different game mechanics produce different kinds of narratives and may be encouraged to develop their own game-based writing projects. Through the reading and discussion of other narrative media, students will learn the affordances and limitations of game-based storytelling systems.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is the foundation course for the Environmental Science major and presents an integrated approach to the interrelated, interdisciplinary principles of environmental science through lecture, case studies and active participation. In this course, the focus will be on sustainability as the foundation for problem solving while investigating a number of environmental issues and establishing environmental literacy. Topics may include biodiversity, ecosystems, pollution, energy, and global climate change. To demonstrate the interdisciplinary methodology of environmental science, elements of government/political science/policy, ethics, economics, sociology, history and engineering are embedded in the scientific matrix used to present this course.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is the foundation course for the Environmental Science major and presents an integrated approach to the interrelated, interdisciplinary principles of environmental science through lecture, case studies and active participation. In this course, the focus will be on sustainability as the foundation for problem solving while investigating a number of environmental issues and establishing environmental literacy. Topics may include biodiversity, ecosystems, pollution, energy, and global climate change. To demonstrate the interdisciplinary methodology of environmental science, elements of government/political science/policy, ethics, economics, sociology, history and engineering are embedded in the scientific matrix used to present this course.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is the laboratory component of the foundation course for the Environmental Science major. Through in-class exercises, outside labs, and field trips, students will begin to learn problem solving and analytical skills needed to investigate and address complex environmental issues. Topics may include assessing campus biodiversity and ecosystems, calculating personal and campus ecological footprints and sustainability indices, environmental modeling, and campus sustainability efforts. To demonstrate the interdisciplinary methodology of environmental science, elements of government/political science/policy, ethics, economics, sociology, and history are embedded in the scientific matrix used to present this course.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is the laboratory component of the foundation course for the Environmental Science major. Through in-class exercises, outside labs, and field trips, students will begin to learn problem solving and analytical skills needed to investigate and address complex environmental issues. Topics may include assessing campus biodiversity and ecosystems, calculating personal and campus ecological footprints and sustainability indices, environmental modeling, and campus sustainability efforts. To demonstrate the interdisciplinary methodology of environmental science, elements of government/political science/policy, ethics, economics, sociology, and history are embedded in the scientific matrix used to present this course.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This is an introductory course on soil science, covering concepts such as soil taxonomy, soil ecology, physical soil properties, soil formation and geomorphology, and soil conservation. The lecture portion of the course will consist of in-class demonstrations and exercises, discussion groups, and traditional lecture materials. Lab exercises will focus on field sampling techniques and bench analyses, soil texture and partial size analyses, basic soil chemistry properties, land use planning, and spatial analyses.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This is an introductory course on soil science, covering concepts such as soil taxonomy, soil ecology, physical soil properties, soil formation and geomorphology, and soil conservation. The lecture portion of the course will consist of in-class demonstrations and exercises, discussion groups, and traditional lecture materials. Lab exercises will focus on field sampling techniques and bench analyses, soil texture and partial size analyses, basic soil chemistry properties, land use planning, and spatial analyses.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This is an introductory course on soil science, covering concepts such as soil taxonomy, soil ecology, physical soil properties, soil formation and geomorphology, and soil conservation. The lecture portion of the course will consist of in-class demonstrations and exercises, discussion groups, and traditional lecture materials. Lab exercises will focus on field sampling techniques and bench analyses, soil texture and partial size analyses, basic soil chemistry properties, land use planning, and spatial analyses.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This is an introductory course on soil science, covering concepts such as soil taxonomy, soil ecology, physical soil properties, soil formation and geomorphology, and soil conservation. The lecture portion of the course will consist of in-class demonstrations and exercises, discussion groups, and traditional lecture materials. Lab exercises will focus on field sampling techniques and bench analyses, soil texture and partial size analyses, basic soil chemistry properties, land use planning, and spatial analyses.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is an introduction to population, community, and ecosystem ecology; stressing the dynamic interrelationships of plant and animal communities of the Dalmatian Coast. The course includes such ecological concepts as energy flow and trophic levels in natural communities, population and community dynamics, biogeography and ecosystem ecology. Field trips to local Croatian ecosystems are included.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is an introduction to population, community, and ecosystem ecology; stressing the dynamic interrelationships of plant and animal communities of the Dalmatian Coast. The course includes such ecological concepts as energy flow and trophic levels in natural communities, population and community dynamics, biogeography and ecosystem ecology. Field trips to local Croatian ecosystems are included.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is an introduction to population, community, and ecosystem ecology; stressing the dynamic interrelationships of plant and animal communities of the Dalmatian Coast. The course includes such ecological concepts as energy flow and trophic levels in natural communities, population and community dynamics, biogeography and ecosystem ecology. Field trips to local Croatian ecosystems are included.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is an introduction to population, community, and ecosystem ecology; stressing the dynamic interrelationships of plant and animal communities of the Dalmatian Coast. The course includes such ecological concepts as energy flow and trophic levels in natural communities, population and community dynamics, biogeography and ecosystem ecology. Field trips to local Croatian ecosystems are included.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is part of a two-semester sequence that when combined presents an integrated approach to the interrelated, interdisciplinary principles of environmental science through case studies, site visits, and field work. Through assigned readings, classroom discussion and case studies dealing with global environmental issues as well as the environmental issues related to the Dalmatian coast, students will learn how to critically analyze environmental problems from a multidisciplinary perspective and to propose solutions.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is part of a two-semester sequence that when combined presents an integrated approach to the interrelated, interdisciplinary principles of environmental science through case studies, site visits, and field work. Through assigned readings, classroom discussion and case studies dealing with global environmental issues as well as the environmental issues related to the Dalmatian coast, students will learn how to critically analyze environmental problems from a multidisciplinary perspective and to propose solutions.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is part of a two-semester sequence that when combined presents an integrated approach to the interrelated, interdisciplinary principles of environmental science through case studies, site visits, and field work. Through assigned readings, classroom discussion and case studies dealing with global environmental issues as well as the environmental issues related to the Dalmatian coast, students will learn how to critically analyze environmental problems from a multidisciplinary perspective and to propose solutions.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is part of a two-semester sequence that when combined presents an integrated approach to the interrelated, interdisciplinary principles of environmental science through case studies, site visits, and field work. Through assigned readings, classroom discussion and case studies dealing with global environmental issues as well as the environmental issues related to the Dalmatian coast, students will learn how to critically analyze environmental problems from a multidisciplinary perspective and to propose solutions.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Environmental issues are often difficult to address because stakeholders have different values, backgrounds, culture, risk perception, and understanding of science. This class will empower students to be effective advocates by helping them to learn about different viewpoints and considerations surrounding environmental issues. Students will have an opportunity to improve their problem-solving abilities by addressing interdisciplinary environmental, ecological, and sustainability problems in miniature on the campus of RIT. During the semester, students will research methods and strategies used by other colleges and universities to minimize environmental impacts in areas such as energy use, solid and hazardous waste management, transportation, landscaping and construction, preserving green space and natural systems (ecosystem functions and services), storm water runoff, food production and consumption, and purchasing. Student solutions to campus issues and projects will address the concept of sustainability and the tradeoffs it requires.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Environmental issues are often difficult to address because stakeholders have different values, backgrounds, culture, risk perception, and understanding of science. This class will empower students to be effective advocates by helping them to learn about different viewpoints and considerations surrounding environmental issues. Students will have an opportunity to improve their problem-solving abilities by addressing interdisciplinary environmental, ecological, and sustainability problems in miniature on the campus of RIT. During the semester, students will research methods and strategies used by other colleges and universities to minimize environmental impacts in areas such as energy use, solid and hazardous waste management, transportation, landscaping and construction, preserving green space and natural systems (ecosystem functions and services), storm water runoff, food production and consumption, and purchasing. Student solutions to campus issues and projects will address the concept of sustainability and the tradeoffs it requires.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This workshop serves as the second core course for the Environmental Science major. Through in-class exercises, outside labs, and field trips, students will begin to learn problem solving and analytical skills needed to investigate and address environmental issues. Topics may include assessing campus biodiversity and ecosystems, calculating personal and campus ecological footprints and sustainability indexes, environmental modeling, and campus sustainability projects. To demonstrate the interdisciplinary methodology of environmental science, elements of government/political science/policy, ethics, economics, sociology, and history are embedded in the scientific matrix used to present this course.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This workshop serves as the second core course for the Environmental Science major. Through in-class exercises, outside labs, and field trips, students will begin to learn problem solving and analytical skills needed to investigate and address environmental issues. Topics may include assessing campus biodiversity and ecosystems, calculating personal and campus ecological footprints and sustainability indexes, environmental modeling, and campus sustainability projects. To demonstrate the interdisciplinary methodology of environmental science, elements of government/political science/policy, ethics, economics, sociology, and history are embedded in the scientific matrix used to present this course.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Through hands-on projects and case studies, this course illustrates concepts and applications of raster and vector geographic information systems (GIS) in a variety of disciplines, such as environmental science, biology, geology, geography, sociology, and economics. Students will learn how to use GIS software and spatial analyses, plan a project, create a database, and conduct an independent project. Students should have completed a foundational course in their major and be comfortable working with computers. Experience with programming is also useful. (Foundational course in student's major field of study or permission of instructor).

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Through hands-on projects and case studies, this course illustrates concepts and applications of raster and vector geographic information systems (GIS) in a variety of disciplines, such as environmental science, biology, geology, geography, sociology, and economics. Students will learn how to use GIS software and spatial analyses, plan a project, create a database, and conduct an independent project. Students should have completed a foundational course in their major and be comfortable working with computers. Experience with programming is also useful. (Foundational course in student's major field of study or permission of instructor).

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Environmental Science Field Skills presents an integrated approach to the interrelated, interdisciplinary principles of environmental science through case studies, site visits and field work. In this course, the focus will be on learning methods for environmental analysis, including experimental design, water and soil quality, primary production and biodiversity, land use/land cover change and ecosystem restoration. The course will culminate in a stressed stream analysis of a local watershed. Additional topics may include geographic information systems, wetlands, environmental education and sustainable food production. The interdisciplinary nature of environmental science will be illustrated through elements of government/political science/policy, ethics, economics, sociology, history and engineering.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Environmental Science Field Skills presents an integrated approach to the interrelated, interdisciplinary principles of environmental science through case studies, site visits and field work. In this course, the focus will be on learning methods for environmental analysis, including experimental design, water and soil quality, primary production and biodiversity, land use/land cover change and ecosystem restoration. The course will culminate in a stressed stream analysis of a local watershed. Additional topics may include geographic information systems, wetlands, environmental education and sustainable food production. The interdisciplinary nature of environmental science will be illustrated through elements of government/political science/policy, ethics, economics, sociology, history and engineering.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Environmental Science Field Skills presents an integrated approach to the interrelated, interdisciplinary principles of environmental science through case studies, site visits and field work. In this course, the focus will be on learning methods for environmental analysis, including experimental design, water and soil quality, primary production and biodiversity, land use/land cover change and ecosystem restoration. The course will culminate in a stressed stream analysis of a local watershed. Additional topics may include geographic information systems, wetlands, environmental education and sustainable food production. The interdisciplinary nature of environmental science will be illustrated through elements of government/political science/policy, ethics, economics, sociology, history and engineering.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Environmental Science Field Skills presents an integrated approach to the interrelated, interdisciplinary principles of environmental science through case studies, site visits and field work. In this course, the focus will be on learning methods for environmental analysis, including experimental design, water and soil quality, primary production and biodiversity, land use/land cover change and ecosystem restoration. The course will culminate in a stressed stream analysis of a local watershed. Additional topics may include geographic information systems, wetlands, environmental education and sustainable food production. The interdisciplinary nature of environmental science will be illustrated through elements of government/political science/policy, ethics, economics, sociology, history and engineering.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Urban Ecology focuses first on the natural systems of urban areas and how those systems function in an undisturbed setting, with an emphasis on the types of ecosystem functions and services natural systems provide. Second, the course focuses on how humans have impacted those natural systems through urban development, and how those impacts can be mitigated or avoided by using the examples provided by nature to influence more sustainable development and maintain (or even enhance) ecological functions and services in urban landscapes. The course will examine and compare examples of several urban settings from around the world, paying particular attention to the connections between the physical, social and cultural aspects of sustainability. The course will meet during spring semester, with a required 2.5-week study tour to Malmö, Sweden after graduation in May. Students must apply through the Office of Study Abroad and an additional fee applies to the course.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Urban Ecology focuses first on the natural systems of urban areas and how those systems function in an undisturbed setting, with an emphasis on the types of ecosystem functions and services natural systems provide. Second, the course focuses on how humans have impacted those natural systems through urban development, and how those impacts can be mitigated or avoided by using the examples provided by nature to influence more sustainable development and maintain (or even enhance) ecological functions and services in urban landscapes. The course will examine and compare examples of several urban settings from around the world, paying particular attention to the connections between the physical, social and cultural aspects of sustainability. The course will meet during spring semester, with a required 2.5-week study tour to Malmö, Sweden after graduation in May. Students must apply through the Office of Study Abroad and an additional fee applies to the course.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.