“Geographies of Experience: Ecology, Nature and the History of Science” (GEO 102): is an intensive interdisciplinary course based on experiential learning. Field trips to science exhibits and museums and to diverse natural habitats introduce ecological concepts (habitat, niche, adaptation, species diversity and natural selection); the logic of the biological classification system; zoology and botany; conservation, climate and global warming; geology and physical geography; astronomy; scientific racism; and the history of science. The field component includes four College-organized, Faculty-led field trips, at least one of which will be to a natural habitat (such as The Great Swamp, woodlands, the seashore, the Pine Barrens, the lakes region, Delaware Water Gap, Paterson Falls).
Students will be responsible for organizing an independent fifth trip. Readings, discussions and films would draw from ecology, environmental sociology, geology, astronomy, zoology, botany, history of science, literature and philosophy. Readings might include works of authors such as Darwin, Thoreau, Rachel Carson, Carl Sagan, Stephen J. Gould, Watson & Crick, etc.