Stephen R. Kellert
Tweedy/Ordway Professor of Social Ecology, Co-Director of the Hixon Center for Urban Ecology
Teaching Statement
[F&ES 565a, Human Dimensions in the Conservation of Biological Diversity. 3 credits. This course focuses on socioeconomic, psychological, and cultural issues in the management and conservation of biological diversity. Topics include biodiversity loss, endangered species, human/wildlife conflicts, utilization, parks and protected areas, attitudes and values, and legal and organizational structures. Issues involving the conservation of biological diversity in the United States and internationally are covered. Three hours. Stephen R. Kellert.]
[F&ES 582a, Issues and Approaches in Environmental Education. 3 credits. This course explores various approaches to influencing public understanding, appreciation, concern, and behavior toward the natural environment. Topics include definition and objectives of environmental education; theoretical foundations of learning and development; childhood experience of nature; formal, informal, and nonformal environmental education; issues-based environmental education; and international forms of environmental education. Stephen R. Kellert.]
[F&ES 748b, Seminar on “Values of the Natural Environment.” 2 or 3 credits. This course examines the way humans view and value the natural world. It considers values theory, varying environmental values, the biological and social bases of environmental values, and variations among cultural and demographic groups and by environmental feature. The course further examines the relation of environmental values to an ethic of conserving and protecting the natural environment, as well as methodologies for assessing environmental values, particularly non-economic approaches. Finally, the course connects an understanding of environmental values to policy and management issues involving the conservation of biological diversity, natural resource extraction, and development of the built environment. Stephen R. Kellert.]
F&ES 884b, Theory and Practice of Restorative Environmental Design. 3 credits. This course examines the theory and practice of sustainable, green, or what is called here “restorative environmental design.” The objective of restorative environmental design is to create a more compatible relationship between the human built and natural environments. Two basic objectives include: avoiding, minimizing, and mitigating adverse impacts of modern design and development on natural systems and human health; and enhancing and promoting a positive and beneficial relationship between people and nature in the built environment. Low environmental impact topics include: energy, resources, products, materials, wastes, landscape. Positive environmental impact or “biophilic” design issues focus on “organic” and “vernacular” design strategies. Stephen R. Kellert.
[F&ES 582a, Issues and Approaches in Environmental Education. 3 credits. This course explores various approaches to influencing public understanding, appreciation, concern, and behavior toward the natural environment. Topics include definition and objectives of environmental education; theoretical foundations of learning and development; childhood experience of nature; formal, informal, and nonformal environmental education; issues-based environmental education; and international forms of environmental education. Stephen R. Kellert.]
[F&ES 748b, Seminar on “Values of the Natural Environment.” 2 or 3 credits. This course examines the way humans view and value the natural world. It considers values theory, varying environmental values, the biological and social bases of environmental values, and variations among cultural and demographic groups and by environmental feature. The course further examines the relation of environmental values to an ethic of conserving and protecting the natural environment, as well as methodologies for assessing environmental values, particularly non-economic approaches. Finally, the course connects an understanding of environmental values to policy and management issues involving the conservation of biological diversity, natural resource extraction, and development of the built environment. Stephen R. Kellert.]
F&ES 884b, Theory and Practice of Restorative Environmental Design. 3 credits. This course examines the theory and practice of sustainable, green, or what is called here “restorative environmental design.” The objective of restorative environmental design is to create a more compatible relationship between the human built and natural environments. Two basic objectives include: avoiding, minimizing, and mitigating adverse impacts of modern design and development on natural systems and human health; and enhancing and promoting a positive and beneficial relationship between people and nature in the built environment. Low environmental impact topics include: energy, resources, products, materials, wastes, landscape. Positive environmental impact or “biophilic” design issues focus on “organic” and “vernacular” design strategies. Stephen R. Kellert.
