IAH 206/Spring 2008/ Professor Joel Geffen (RS)
Extinctions, Choices and Consequences

This course focuses on the central issue of species extinctions. We consider potential psychological impacts affecting people as a result of species loss, habitat degradation and destruction, and, increasing alienation from direct interaction with those things we loosely group together and call "nature."

In addition to presenting students with introductory information concerning the extent of current extinctions worldwide, the class also explores societal and individual choices related to that issue, and it explores some consequences of those choices.

In order to engage students in what amounts to hands-on learning, which is quite an effective pedagogical approach, Karlene Rabidoux and Georgia Curry, docents from the Potter Park Zoological Society's Education Department came to the IAH class to speak about extinctions on February 14, 2008.

This is an aspect of community engagement. In this case the "community" is coming to the classroom. The Potter Park Zoo docents brought live animals to show students and talked about “The Last Ark”. Our hope is that this presentation made the topic even more accessible and interesting to students, with the consequence that they will more deeply internalize the information being presented in IAH 206.