The History of Urban Ecology: an Ecologist’s Perspective

If Cities are to be saved from the consequences of climate change and provide healthy human habitats for their growing, yet increasingly vulnerable populations, then natural science, government, and local collective action must cooperate to find, publicize, and implement best scientific practices. This course will try to foster that kind of discovery across disciplinary boundaries. This is the first time such a course has been attempted, and it is thus necessarily open and experimental. The variety of readings chosen, encouragement of lively discussion in class, collaboration in groups, and individual research on topics of your choice will all contribute to what we hope will be an enlightening semester in urban ecology and environmental politics. Assuming it can be arranged, at least one local field trip is anticipated.