Senior Seminar Info and Applications
ENVS Senior Seminar Application Information
Fall 2024 Senior Seminar Application Timeline
- April 16: Applications open
- April 30: Priority application deadline (11:59PM PST)
- May 1: Rolling applications begin -- there is no guarantee that applications will be considered if submitted during rolling application period; once the course fills up, no more apps will be reviewed
- May 13: Early application decisions announced to students
- May 20: Undergraduate student enrollment begins (for continuing students)
Winter 2025 Senior Seminar Application Timeline
- October 15: Applications open
- October 29: Early application deadline (11:59PM PST)
- October 30: Rolling applications begin -- there is no guarantee that applications will be considered if submitted during rolling application period; once the course fills up, no more apps will be reviewed
- November 11: Early application decisions announced to students
- TBD: Undergraduate student enrollment begins (will be sometime in November)
Spring 2025 Senior Seminar Application Timeline
- January 21: Applications open
- February 4: Early application deadline (11:59PM PST)
- February 5: Rolling applications begin -- there is no guarantee that applications will be considered if submitted during rolling application period; once the course fills up, no more apps will be reviewed
- February 18: Early application decisions announced to students
- TBD: Undergraduate student enrollment begins (will be sometime in March)
ENVS Senior Seminar Course Descriptions
Fall 2024 (Two senior seminar sections will be offered)
1. ENVS 196 - International Water Law and Management - Brent Haddad
Description: There are over 300 international water basins involving 150 countries and covering nearly half the earth's land surface. The water supplies are essential to the lives of billions. Yet managing these basins is challenging because they are not subject to the laws and police powers of just one country. This seminar will examine how nations negotiate over transboundary water, focusing on how international water law is evolving in light of climate change and other emerging environmental threats. Case studies will include US-Mexico (multiple issues) and Egypt-Ethiopia (Nile River). Students will participate in a mock international negotiation over a contested river basin.
Prerequisites: ENVS majors with senior standing who have passed ENVS 100/L and three additional upper-division courses. Previous or concurrent enrollment in ENVS 165; or by permission of instructor. Enrollment by application.
To apply: Fill out this application form starting April 16th.
2. ENVS 196 - Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture - Stacy Philpott
Description: Agroecology has been described as a research discipline, as a production practice, and as a social movement. In this graduate-level course, we will focus on agroecology as a research discipline and production practice, and will focus on making explicit links between ecological theory, ecological principles, and empirical studies that contribute to the design and management of sustainable agricultural systems. We will also touch on the long-term goals of achieving agroecosystem sustainability through economic, social, and ecological contexts. The course is intended primarily for graduate students in the Environmental Studies PhD Program. It meets the Area Specialization course requirements for the required natural science course. The course will meet in person, on campus, in a synchronous format.
There are four main learning outcomes for this course:
- Students will be able to recall impacts of agricultural intensification, the role of agroecology as an alternative, and different definitions of agroecology.
- Students will be able to differentiate between practices used in modern, conventional agriculture and agroecological (or organic or diversified) farming systems
- Students will be able to explain how ecological principles, and evidence from empirical studies contribute to the design and management of sustainable agricultural systems.
- Students will be able to implement ideas they have learned about agroecological research through creating a research proposal.
Prerequisites: Agroecology and ENVS majors with senior standing who have passed ENVS 100/L and three additional upper-division courses. Preference will be given to students who have completed ENVS 130A/L and ENVS 130B. Enrollment by application.
To apply: Fill out this application form starting April 16th.
Winter 2025 and spring 2025 course descriptions coming soon!
