Natural and Social Sciences In the Light of Evolution: Exploring Biology’s Central Principle Mary Bricker
Natural & Social Sciences
Thursdays, 9:00 am-10:30 am, Todd Building, UM Textbook: The Tangled Bank: An Introduction to Evolution by Carl Zimmer This course will examine the history and development of the field of evolutionary biology from its founders to scientists conducting research today. Along the way, course participants will learn basic biology as well as examine the nature of science as a discipline and way of knowing. Students will explore the various ways that scientists study evolution and how it is applied to fields like conservation biology and medicine. In addition, students will look at some deep evolutionary history to see how species are related to one another and examine how evolution affects our daily lives. About the instructor: Mary Bricker earned her PhD in ecology from The University of Montana after many field seasons studying native plants and small mammals in the Blackfoot Valley. After two years teaching at Pacific University in Oregon, she has returned to Missoula where she continues to teach, farm, and work with a non-profit developing international field courses for students of all ages.
Bhutan: Gross National Happiness and Natural Resource Issues Ronald H. Wakimoto Thursdays, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm, Todd Building, UM Maximum Number of Students: 30 The Fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, developed the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) as a substitute for Gross National Product, in evaluating the progress of his country. The four pillars of GNH are: 1.) sustainable and equitable socio-economic development; 2.) conservation of the environment; 3.) preservation and promotion of culture; and 4.) good governance. These pillars will be explored with relevance to Bhutanese natural resource management issues. Some issues to be presented and discussed are water resources; forests and fire management; natural disaster preparedness; and social change as the country develops roads, expands electrification, and conserves wildlife. About the instructor: Ronald H. Wakimoto, a Fellow in the Society of American Foresters, was Chair of the Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences at The University of Montana from 2005 through 2010. Since 2006, he has taught short-courses on fire ecology, prescribed burning, disaster preparedness, fire behavior, and fire suppression throughout the Kingdom of Bhutan. In 2011, he spent a five month sabbatical leave in Bhutan observing wildfire effects, working on a national fire management strategy, and teaching basic fire management skills.
Global Health, Your Health Tom Bulger Fridays, 9:00 am-10:30 am, Todd Building, UM Course participants will consider some of the big issues in global health, including their importance to American health. This course will discuss: life expectancy, what really affects it, and some recent trends that may surprise you; the role of infections, including those that allowed Europeans to conquer America, those that still kill millions every year, and the next great plague; social determinants of health, which are stronger than any medicine; gender issues that influence health and health access; nutrition, from starvation to stunting to obesity; and finally, health care delivery in the United States and the world. About the instructor: Tom Bulger is an emergency physician at St. Patrick Hospital. He has worked in rural Kenya and Central America. He has been teaching a course at The University of Montana on issues of global health for the last six years.
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