BIOL 134(F) The Tropics: Biology and Social Issues (Same as Environmental Studies 134)*
Intended for the non-scientist, this course explores the biological dimensions of
social issues in tropical societies, and focuses specifically on the peoples and
cultures of tropical regions in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Oceanea, and the Caribbean. Tropical issues have become prominent on a global scale, and many
social issues in the tropics are inextricably bound to human ecology, evolution,
and physiology. The course begins with a survey of the tropical environment of
humans, including major climatic and habitat features. The next section focuses
on human population biology, and emphasizes demography and the role of disease particularly malaria and AIDS. The final part of the course covers the place
of human societies in local and global ecosystems including the challenges of
tropical food production, the importance of organic diversity, and the interaction
of humans with their supporting ecological environment.
Format: lecture/debate, three hours per week. Evaluation will be based on two
hour exams, a short paper, panel preparation, and a final exam.
No prerequisites. Enrollment limit: 100 (expected: 80). Preference given to seniors, juniors, sophomores, and first-year students- in that order. Does not
count for major credit in Biology.