EESC 2201 Environmental Systems: The Human Footprint
Humans have become an increasingly significant force on Earth system, including the atmosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere. This course explores the influence of humans on natural systems and how environmental solutions and consequences link to social, political, economic, health, and justice issues. Specifically, we will discuss topics related to population growth, energy, agriculture, urbanization, and environmental justice. This course is part of the Environmental Systems introductory sequence (EESC2201-EESC2208) for Environmental Geoscience majors.
Course overview
- Department
- Earth and Environmental Sciences
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 2
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Every Fall, Every Spring
Requirements fulfilled
- Environmental Geoscience B.S.: (A) 12 credits from EESC2201–2208 (2 credits each, plus laboratories) and/or EESC1132 (4 credits) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Environmental Studies: Environmental Systems Courses (6 credits) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Environmental Studies: A. EESC2201 Environmental Systems: The Human Footprint (plus lab; 2 credits) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 3.64 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 3.86 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 7
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | Anne Lamontagne | 4.0 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 1–3 hrs/week | 28 of 33 |
| Fall 2024 | Alan Kafka | 3.1 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 3.9 | 4.2 | 3.5 | 1–3 hrs/week | 20 of 28 |
| Spring 2024 (midterm) | Alan Kafka | 2.9 | 3.2 | 3.5 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 3.5 | — | 17 of 28 |
| Fall 2023 | Noah P Snyder | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 48 of 62 |
| Spring 2023 | Mark D Behn | 4.1 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 1–3 hrs/week | 50 of 64 |
| Fall 2022 | Nicole Gross-Camp | 3.9 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.6 | 4.2 | 1–3 hrs/week | 52 of 64 |
| Spring 2022 | Alan Kafka | 2.7 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 3.2 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.1 | 3.0 | 1–3 hrs/week | 36 of 58 |
Data freshness
Instructors
Sections
- Section 01
- Section 02
- Section 03