Natural Science 0330 - Forests in Transition

What is happening with forests around the world? Some are coming back, others are moving up slope, and still others are disappearing. In this course we will look at an international set of case studies on forest transitions (either deforestration or restoration) and degradation. Through a political ecology lens, we will evaluate global imperatives, national policies, and local actions to "save the forest," while we unpack the local economic, social and political structural drivers of forest transition. Issues related to environmental justice will underlie much of our discussion through asking about the social consequences of forest transition as well as the economic outcomes. Literature research and complex problem analysis will inform the class discussion, and student work will culminate in a case study paper.

Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research Quantitative Skills 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.