Modified

June 5, 2026

Course Topics and Key Dates
WEEK DATE TOPIC READING ASSIGNMENT
Wk 1 20-Aug Course Welcome and Introduction
WHY ARE WE FASCINATED BY TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS?
Wk 2 25-Aug Historical Narratives 1
27-Aug Historical Narratives, cont.
Wk 3 1-Sep Rain forests in Art & Literature 2
3-Sep Rain forests in Pop Culture 3 Movie Reviews Assigned
THE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION OF TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS
Wk 4 8-Sep What is a rain forest? 4,5
10-Sep Where is a rain forest?
Wk 5 15-Sep Patterns of biodiversity 6,7
17-Sep Patterns of biodiversity, cont. 8
Wk 6 22-Sep Origins of tropical biodiversity
24-Sep Maintenance of tropical biodiversity
Wk 7 29-Sep Humans in rain forests 9,10
1-Oct Humans in rain forests, cont. Movie Reviews Due
Wk 8 6-Oct The 'Paradox of Luxuriance' 11,12
8-Oct JUNGLE FILM FESTIVAL
THE DRIVERS AND IMPACTS OF DEFORESTATION
Wk 9 13-Oct How much rain forest is there? 13 Analytic Essay Assigned
15-Oct How much rain forest have we lost? 14
Wk 10 20-Oct Drivers of deforestation 15-17
22-Oct Drivers of deforestation, cont. 18,19
Wk 11 27-Oct Rain forests & climate 20,21 Analytic Essay Due
29-Oct Rain forests & climate change 22,23 Reflective Essay Assigned
THE FUTURE OF TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS
Wk 12 3-Nov International conservation frameworks 24-26
5-Nov Trade in tropical commodities & DURIAN FEST 27-30
Wk 13 10-Nov Consumer choices & rain forest conservation 31-35
12-Nov Community-based conservation 36-39
Wk 14 17-Nov Thanksgiving Break
19-Nov Thanksgiving Break
Wk 15 24-Nov Protected Areas 40-42
26-Nov Reforestation & Regeneration 43-45
Wk 16 1-Dec Rain forests and global health 46-48 Final Project Due
Finals Wk 10-Dec No Final Exam