Natural Science 0278 - Art and Ecology

This course connects the ecology of New England and ongoing environmental changes with field-based scientific research integrated with art-making. The course goal is to foster the understanding that artistic expression contextualized through a rigorous scientific lens can be a tool for analysis, critical inquiry, and environmentalism that may stimulate novel forms of public engagement. Students will be introduced to natural and human-modified environments across the region through weekly field trips, primary scientific literature, and surveys of artists concerned with land use and ecology. During field trips students will record their observations and interpret the sights through collaborative scientific and artistic interventions. At the conclusion of the semester, students will be challenged to develop an integrative project pased on one or more of the sites and artists studied.

Independent Work Writing and Research In this course students are generally expected to spend at least 6 to 8 hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time.