{"id":216,"date":"2023-03-24T11:04:57","date_gmt":"2023-03-24T18:04:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/environmental-studies\/?page_id=216"},"modified":"2025-01-30T11:25:19","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T19:25:19","slug":"course-highlights","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/environmental-studies\/course-highlights\/","title":{"rendered":"Experiential Courses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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The Environmental Studies Department offers various courses around the world to enhance the students’ understanding of environmental topics through field experiences. The following courses are typically offered to students during the summer or Maymester periods. More information about the programs described below can be found by viewing the photo albums to the right and reading about student experiences under the “People” tab. Visit the Catalina Residential College website<\/a> to learn more about courses at the Wrigley Institute on Catalina Island.<\/p>\n

ENST 298:\u00a0<\/strong>Introduction to Scientific Diving – 2 units<\/strong><\/p>\n

Covers range of topics from physics and physiology of scuba diving and dive emergency training to advanced research and survey skills.\u00a0Prereqs:\u00a0MUST submit dive medical forms and be scuba certified prior to enrollment.<\/p>\n

Here’s a\u00a0video featuring<\/a>\u00a0past ENST-298 students.<\/p>\n

If you have questions or need additional details you can e-mail Jill Sohm at sohm@usc.edu.<\/p>\n

Summer ENST 320aL on Catalina Island: Water and Soil Sustainability (Catalina Residential College in July<\/a>)
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ENST 320aL In the Field is a special section of the Water and Soil Sustainability course (currently taught on the University Park Campus).\u00a0 ENST 320aL In the Field will be conducted on the USC Wrigley Marine Science Center (WMSC) with enhanced research, lab and field studies.\u00a0 A focus on island sustainability is included with projects related to water and energy sustainability at the WMSC.\u00a0 Students will also explore this issue by speaking with community leaders and resource managers in the waste, power, and water fields.<\/p>\n

To learn more about the program, email Professor Scott Applebaum at\u00a0sappleba@usc.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Summer ENST 320b on Catalina Island: Energy and Air Sustainability (Catalina Residential College in July<\/a>)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Summer ENST 320b is the special section of the Energy and Air Sustainability course (currently taught on the University Park Campus). For four weeks, at USC\u2019s Wrigley Marine Science center on Catalina Island, students in this Julymester will get an immersive, hands-on look at energy production and distribution on the island. Typical coursework will be supplemented with lab activities, field trips, and guest lectures from experts in different aspects of traditional and renewable energy.<\/p>\n

To learn more about the program, email Professor Victoria Petryshyn at petryshy@usc.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

ENST 432 Environment and Governance:\u00a0Sustainable Development in the Philippines<\/strong><\/p>\n

In September 2015, the Philippines and 192 other United Nations (UN) member states\u00a0committed to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their 169 targets by 2030. The SDGs, also called the Global Goals, have a range of economic, social, environmental, and governance targets. The SDGs present a bold commitment to finish what has been started through the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2015. The Philippines affirms its commitment to achieving the SDGs by 2030, if not sooner, especially since the SDGS, in their own words, \u201cis in sync with the country\u2019s development plans and long-term aspirations for 2040 (Voluntary National Review of the Philippines SDG Commitments, 2019) .\u201d\u00a0 This course will explore the work the Philippines is doing to reach their SDG targets.<\/p>\n

To learn more about the program, email Professor Shannon Gibson at smgibson@usc.edu.<\/a><\/p>\n

ENST 483L: Coastal Zone Sustainability (Catalina Residential College Maymester<\/a>)
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Students are introduced to field skills and ecosystem management tools used to investigate complex environmental Problems in coastal areas. Students receive training at the USC Wrigley Marine Science Center (WMSC). Learning and research will focus on sustainable development, fisheries management, protected – area planning and assessment, and natural resource governance issues.<\/p>\n

If you have questions or need additional details you can email David Ginsburg at dginsburg@usc.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

ENST 486: Social Science Research Methods for Environmental Analysis (Catalina Residential College Maymester<\/a>)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Social science research provides essential insights into environmentally significant human behavior
\nand perceptions that affect the processes of management and social organization, and that go
\ntowards producing effective environmental policy, communications, and engagement. This applied
\nsocial science research methods course will introduce key qualitative and quantitative methods of
\ncollecting and analyzing social data relevant for environmental issues. The class will introduce the
\nfundamental concepts of qualitative and quantitative social science research i.e., surveys,
\ninterviews, participant observation, and focus groups. Over the course of the term, through in-class
\nwork and hands-on experiential learning opportunities, students will develop research questions,
\nplan for and collect data using social science methods, and analyze and summarize their findings in
\na scientific research report. Further, students will evaluate and discuss the strengths and
\nweaknesses of qualitative and quantitative approaches; the class will also recognize and account for
\nethical issues of human subjects\u2019 research (including informed consent). In keeping with the
\nthematic focus of \u201curban oceans\u201d, much of our work will center on California\u2019s Marine Protected
\nAreas (MPAs), a state policy initiative that has achieved successful ocean conservation outcomes in
\nthe first decade of implementation. This course also will incorporate opportunities to observe and
\nexperience the protected marine environments of Catalina via snorkeling, kayaking, and other
\nexcursions.<\/p>\n

ENST 499 Waves of Change: Unearthing Coastal Environmental Histories<\/strong><\/p>\n

In this class, students will use Pimu Catalina Island to explore humanity\u2019s long history with coastal environments. Key themes in our course will include ancient human migration, European exploration and imperialism, environmental colonialism, labor, leisure and tourism, and technology and the environment. Students will engage in original historical research, using narratives, charts, newspapers, photographs, and other archival sources to uncover, understand, interpret, and communicate key stories about the island\u2019s past. In doing so, students will both gain experience with archival research methods and develop insight into how environmental conditions shape and are shaped by human societies over time.<\/p>\n

To learn more about the program, email Professor Sean Fraga at sfraga@usc.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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