Introduction
This course investigates the fundamental issues addressed by scientists studying tropical rain forests, including what gave rise to their remarkable biodiversity, the drivers and consequences of deforestation, why people are fascinated by rain forests, cultural and ecological stereotypes about the tropics, and different approaches to forest conservation and sustainability. By the end of the course students will be able to:
- Recognize and describe stereotypes about rain forests & their residents
- Analyze rain forest tropes in art, literature, & popular culture
- Discuss & evaluate hypotheses for the origins and maintenance of tropical biodiversity
- Explain & compare the history and ecological influence of humans in rain forests
- Review contemporary threats to rain forests
- Analyze and visualize data on deforestation
- Review and contrast strategies for rain forest conservation & restoration
- Identify rain forests in their daily lives & set personal goals for advancing their conservation
- Produce materials for communicating about tropical biology & conservation to family and peers
When & Where
When: Tuesdays 11:45 AM-12:35 PM (Period 5) & Thursdays 11:45 AM-1:40 PM (Periods 5-6)
Where: Larsen Hall 0310 (both days)
Instructor & TA
Instructor: Dr. Emilio M. Bruna (email: embruna@ufl.edu, phone: (352) 846-0634)
Credits & Prerequisites
Credits: 3 Prerequisites: None Quest Program: Quest 2 GenEd Designation: International
A minimum grade of C is required for Quest and General Education credit. Courses intended to satisfy Quest and General Education requirements cannot be taken S-U.
Minors & Certificates
This course counts towards the following Majors and Minors:
Majors
- Sustainability Studies (info here).
Minors
University Policies and Resources
Information about grading policies, support for students with disabilities, course evaluations, the Honor Code, and other course policies and campus resources can be found on the Syllabus Policies page.
Information about university attendance policies, including policies regarding religious holidays, illness, and the twelve-day rule, can be found in the Undergraduate Catalog.