Dyson College of Arts and Sciences

DCISE Annual Report 2016-2017 Environmental Studies – Basic Issues is now a Learning Community combined with Environmental Biology, enabling the teaching of interdisciplinary thinking on a more in depth level in the freshman second semester. II. A new capstone sequence was initiated: Introduction to Research Methods: Originally an independent study project, the course has been transformed into a Junior Methods Seminar, in which students produce a senior thesis proposal. Research: Originally a sequence of two courses for proposal development, students now arrive at this sequence with a proposal in hand and choose a mentor with whom to carry out the proposal project. Students have been presenting these proposals at local environmental conferences, including the Dimensions of Political Ecology Conference at the University of Kentucky. III. The Environmental Science major is growing and has begun collaboration with the Departments of Biology on both campuses. The major is undergoing a restructuring to further emphasize interdisciplinary components. IV. There has been increased use of regional resources for class field visits. A new course, Nature and the City, afforded students the opportunity to interact with the Gotham Conservancy, Billion Oyster Project, New York Botanical Gardens, Bronx River Alliance, Freshkills Park and the Gotham Coyote Project. Multiple field trips were arranged through the Water, Wildlife and Windmills course and Social Responsibility and the World of Nature, including participation in the Sandy Hook BioBlitz, and visits to the American Museum of Natural History, Teatown Reservation, and Central Park. Also in this regard, some of the components of the Nature Center were incorporated into courses across the Pleasantville campus, including The Naturalists and Nature Exposed courses. Nature trails, birds of prey, and honeybees provide experiential opportunities complementary to classroom discussion. The Center for Arts, Society and Ecology (CASE) continued its unique Learning Community courses by once again offering Arts of Change and Arts Meets Science in the Costa Rica Rainforest. Arts of Change combined Art as a Vehicle for Social Change and Political Protest with Environmental and Ecological Art, exploring ways in which art can change society through engagement that is creative, positive and sustainable in a complex global culture. Art Meets Science in the Costa Rica Rainforest is an immersive, transdisciplinary Super Learning Community course. Students traveled abroad to the Macquenque Rainforest of Costa Rica, conducting biological field work while producing art inspired directly and indirectly from the concepts, images and methods of the sciences. The art activities resulted in a collaborative installation by the Dirt Collective at the Pace Fingesten Gallery. GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS The Master of Science in Environmental Science (MSES) has been strengthened through enhanced training in data collection and analysis. For example, curriculum for Plant Ecology was revised to incorporate more research activities, including data gathering, analysis, and interpretation. These activities took advantages of the outstanding natural resources present on the Pace Pleasantville Campus. Environmental Science I was also reformulated to serve as the introductory graduate level environmental science course for our MS in Environmental Science, MA in Environmental Policy, and LLM/JD in Environmental Law programs. The new Master of Arts in Environmental Policy program (MEP) welcomed its inaugural class in fall 2016. With a focus on graduating practice-ready professionals, the program facilitated the placement of all matriculating students in environmental policy-related paid internships and/or research assistantships during the academic year and into the summer. A new dual-degree program combining the Dyson College MEP with the Elisabeth Haub School of Law JD degree was approved by the New York State Department of Education at the close of the academic year. Students opting for the dual-degree can complete it in four years, reduced from five years if done separately. Dual-degree students receive a JD strengthened by an MA providing a background in environmental policymaking, governance and analysis. 7

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