Environmental Studies 440 - Contruc of Wildlife

In the past half century, Americans have witnessed a remarkable resurgence of many wildlife species.  This has occasioned a mixed, even contentious response.  Wolves have gone from reviled to the leading attraction for visitors to Yellowstone.  At the same time, beyond the Park boundaries, there are people eager to shoot wolves.  Neighbors in suburbs across the country fall out over deer:  some feed them and others erect high fences to keep the deer out of their yards and gardens.  Geese befoul parks and golf courses and coyotes kill pet cats and dogs.

In this seminar we will examine the changing and conflicting reputations of wildlife, attending to the ecology of recovery, shifting attitudes toward hunting, the rise of the Animal Rights Movement, and the many challenges of living with wildlife in an increasingly human dominated landscape.

Open to juniors and seniors. Limited to 20 students. Spring semester. Professor Dizard.