See Also: Major Requirements.

Fall 2025 • Winter 2026 • Spring 2026

Fall 2025term list

  • ENTS 100: American Wilderness

    To many Americans, wild lands are among the nation’s most treasured places. Yosemite, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree – the names alone evoke a sense of awe, beauty, naturalness, wildness, and even love. But, where do those thoughts and feelings come from, and how have they both reflected and shaped American cultural, political, and environmental history over the last four centuries?  These are the central issues and questions that we will pursue in an interdisciplinary framework in this Argument & Inquiry Seminar.

    Prerequisites:

    Student is a member of the First Year First Term class level cohort. Students are only allowed to register for one A&I course at a time. If a student wishes to change the A&I course they are enrolled in they must DROP the enrolled course and then ADD the new course. Please see our Workday guides Drop or 'Late' Drop a Course and Register or Waitlist for a Course Directly from the Course Listing for more information.

     6 credits; AI/WR1, Argument & Inquiry/WR1, IDS, Intercultural Domestic Studies; offered Fall 2025 · George Vrtis

  • ENTS 120: Introduction to Geospatial Analysis & Lab

    Spatial data analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, global positioning, and related technologies are increasingly important for understanding and analyzing a wide range of biophysical, social, and economic phenomena. This course serves as an overview and introduction to the concepts, algorithms, issues, and methods in describing, analyzing, and modeling geospatial data over a range of application areas.

    During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry.

     6 credits; QRE, Quantitative Reasoning, SI, Social Inquiry; offered Fall 2025, Spring 2026 · Karissa Pepin

  • ENTS 120: Introduction to Geospatial Analysis & Lab

    Spatial data analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, global positioning, and related technologies are increasingly important for understanding and analyzing a wide range of biophysical, social, and economic phenomena. This course serves as an overview and introduction to the concepts, algorithms, issues, and methods in describing, analyzing, and modeling geospatial data over a range of application areas.

    During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry.

     6 credits; QRE, Quantitative Reasoning, SI, Social Inquiry; offered Fall 2025, Spring 2026 · Karissa Pepin

  • ENTS 120: Introduction to Geospatial Analysis & Lab

    Spatial data analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, global positioning, and related technologies are increasingly important for understanding and analyzing a wide range of biophysical, social, and economic phenomena. This course serves as an overview and introduction to the concepts, algorithms, issues, and methods in describing, analyzing, and modeling geospatial data over a range of application areas.

    During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry.

     6 credits; QRE, Quantitative Reasoning, SI, Social Inquiry; offered Fall 2025, Spring 2026 · Karissa Pepin

  • ENTS 220: Sovereignty and Sustainability

    This course explores the legal, cultural, and environmental foundations of Tribal and Indigenous environmental stewardship and natural resource management. Students will examine the historical significance of treaties, Tribal sovereignty, and federal trust responsibility, as well as key laws that have shaped Tribal resource use. The evolution of Tribal co-management with federal and state agencies will be analyzed through case studies, highlighting challenges and successful partnerships. Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and Indigenous worldviews on land stewardship will complement critical discussions on climate change, environmental justice, and the ongoing balance between economic development and ecological sustainability in Tribal resource use. 

     6 credits; HI, Humanistic Inquiry, IDS, Intercultural Domestic Studies; offered Fall 2025 · Roger Faust

  • ENTS 225: Carbon and Climate

    This course will focus on the interconnections between the Earth’s carbon cycle and climate system. Particular interest will be given to how Earth system processes involved in the carbon cycle operate on geologic timescales and how these systems are responding to anthropogenic emissions. Required weekly laboratories will explore carbon cycle processes in local environments and will include outdoor field work, lab analyses, and computer modeling.

    During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry.

     Prerequisites:

    Student must have completed any of the following course(s): One Lab Science course with grade of C- or better.

     6 credits; LS, Science with Lab, QRE, Quantitative Reasoning; offered Fall 2025 · Dan Maxbauer

  • ENTS 225: Carbon and Climate

    This course will focus on the interconnections between the Earth’s carbon cycle and climate system. Particular interest will be given to how Earth system processes involved in the carbon cycle operate on geologic timescales and how these systems are responding to anthropogenic emissions. Required weekly laboratories will explore carbon cycle processes in local environments and will include outdoor field work, lab analyses, and computer modeling.

    During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry.

     Prerequisites:

    Student must have completed any of the following course(s): One Lab Science course with grade of C- or better.

     6 credits; LS, Science with Lab, QRE, Quantitative Reasoning; offered Fall 2025 · Dan Maxbauer

  • ENTS 250: The Socioecological Life of Corn in Oaxaca, Mexico–Food, Forests & Resilience

    The course will explore how the idea of sustainability is complicated when evaluated through a socio-ecological framework that combines anthropology and ecology. To highlight this complexity, the course is designed to provide a comparative framework to understand and analyze sustainable socio-ecological propositions in Minnesota and Oaxaca. Key conceptual areas explored include: coupled human-natural systems, resilience (ecological and cultural), self-determination, and social justice across stakeholders. The course includes a series of fieldtrips to nearby projects of interest. This course is part of the OCS winter break Oaxaca program, involving two linked courses in fall and winter terms. This class is the first class in the sequence. Prerequisites: Student Cohorts any in the selection list OCS Socioecological Life – Oaxaca Mexico Program 6 credits; IS, International Studies, SI, Social Inquiry; offered Fall 2025 · Daniel Hernández, Constanza Ocampo-Raeder

  • ENTS 255: Ecology & Anthropology Tanzania Program: Field Methods in Ecology and Anthropology

    This course enables students with interests in both Ecology and Anthropology to conduct studies in partnership with Tanzanian host communities. The challenges facing cultural groups and socio-ecological systems in northern Tanzania are inherently multi-disciplinary, and students must be able to bridge disciplines. This Field Methods course provides students with a common set of skills from both the ecological and anthropological disciplines to be applied in their Independent Study projects. Topics covered in the course include: introduction to research ethics; conducting a literature review; design and implementation of data collection protocols and survey questionnaires; summary, analysis and presentation of qualitative and quantitative data. Prerequisites:

    Acceptance in the Carleton OCS Ecology and Anthropology in Tanzania program.

     4 credits; No Exploration; offered Fall 2025 · Anna Estes

  • ENTS 294: Directed Research in Environmental Studies

    Students work on a research project related to a faculty member's research interests, and directed by that faculty member. Student activities vary according to the field and stage of the project. The long-run goal of these projects normally includes dissemination to a scholarly community beyond Carleton. The faculty member will meet regularly with the student and actively direct the work of the student, who will submit an end-of-term product, typically a paper or presentation.

     1 – 6 credits; No Exploration; offered Fall 2025, Winter 2026, Spring 2026

  • ENTS 355: Ecology & Anthropology Tanzania Program: Ecology and Conservation of Savanna Ecosystems in Northern Tanzania

    This course focuses on the foundational principles necessary to understand the ecology and conservation of savanna ecosystems in northern Tanzania, and the important roles that people and protected areas play within them. The course is based on the premise that a thorough understanding of Tanzania’s ecosystems and the challenges facing them cannot be achieved without understanding the human and political contexts in which they exist. The course incorporates primary literature, frequent guest lecturers, stakeholder interactions and student-facilitated discussions. The experiential, site-based approach allows students to gain insight into the practical application of ecological concepts in monitoring and maintaining savanna ecosystems. Prerequisites:

    Acceptance in the Carleton OCS Ecology and Anthropology in Tanzania program.

     No Exploration; offered Fall 2025 · Anna Estes

  • ENTS 394: Directed Research in Environmental Studies

    Students work on a research project related to a faculty member's research interests, and directed by that faculty member. Student activities vary according to the field and stage of the project. The long-run goal of these projects normally includes dissemination to a scholarly community beyond Carleton. The faculty member will meet regularly with the student and actively direct the work of the student, who will submit an end-of-term product, typically a paper or presentation.

     1 – 6 credits; S/CR/NC; No Exploration; offered Fall 2025, Winter 2026, Spring 2026 · Roger Faust, Devavani Chatterjea

  • ENTS 395: Senior Seminar in Environmental Studies

    This Fall seminar will focus on the planning and design of ENTS senior comprehensive exercise projects.  Students will prepare a final project proposal in collaboration with campus and/or community partners as applicable, including background research and literature review, detailed study design and methodology, and, if applicable, preliminary assessments and analyses for the project to be completed in Winter with a public presentation in Spring.

    Recommended Preparation: Complete all required ENTS core courses.

     Prerequisites: Programs of Study any in the selection list Environmental Studies Major And Student Cohorts any in the selection list SR10 Student Class Level, SR11 Student Class Level, SR12 Student Class Level, SR13 Student Class Level, SR14 Student Class Level 6 credits; SI, Social Inquiry; offered Fall 2025 · Devavani Chatterjea

Winter 2026term list

  • ENTS 180: Community Engagement and Qualitative Methods

    This course introduces students to community-engaged research and qualitative methods in environmental and social contexts. Students will examine principles of working with communities, ethical research practices, and the role of power, positionality, and cultural humility. Through exercises, workshops, and group projects, students will learn to collect, code, and analyze qualitative data from interviews, focus groups, and observations. The course emphasizes reflective practice and translating research findings into actionable outputs. By the end of the term, students will have the background to plan community-based research projects, critically evaluate existing studies, and understand the challenges and opportunities involved in ethical qualitative research.

     6 credits; SI, Social Inquiry; offered Winter 2026 · Roger Faust

  • ENTS 230: Remote Sensing of the Environment & Lab

    The advancement of aerial and satellite technology has allowed humans to view the planet in a unique light. This course dives deeply into the science of remote sensing to analyze Earth's dynamic surface and atmosphere. Students will learn to acquire, interpret, and apply imagery to detect environmental change and uncover spatiotemporal patterns. Topics include sensor systems, image processing, land cover classification, and change detection. Emphasis is placed on real-world applications in environmental studies, including human-environment interactions. Labs and projects build practical skills in remote sensing software and geospatial analysis. Ideal for students in ENTS, Geology, Physics, Biology, and related fields.

    During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry.

     Prerequisites:

    Student has completed any of the following course(s): ENTS 120 with grade of C- or better.

     6 credits; LS, Science with Lab, QRE, Quantitative Reasoning; offered Winter 2026 · Karissa Pepin

  • ENTS 230: Remote Sensing of the Environment & Lab

    The advancement of aerial and satellite technology has allowed humans to view the planet in a unique light. This course dives deeply into the science of remote sensing to analyze Earth's dynamic surface and atmosphere. Students will learn to acquire, interpret, and apply imagery to detect environmental change and uncover spatiotemporal patterns. Topics include sensor systems, image processing, land cover classification, and change detection. Emphasis is placed on real-world applications in environmental studies, including human-environment interactions. Labs and projects build practical skills in remote sensing software and geospatial analysis. Ideal for students in ENTS, Geology, Physics, Biology, and related fields.

    During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry.

     Prerequisites:

    Student has completed any of the following course(s): ENTS 120 with grade of C- or better.

     6 credits; LS, Science with Lab, QRE, Quantitative Reasoning; offered Winter 2026 · Karissa Pepin

  • ENTS 251: The Socioecological Life of Corn in Oaxaca, Mexico–Field Study in Sustainability in Oaxaca

    A field-based investigation of socio-ecological systems in Oaxaca, Mexico that will allow students to draw comparisons with similar systems in Minnesota. During winter break, we will visit the city of Oaxaca and neighboring villages to document and research systems of agriculture, sustainable forestry, and ecotourism, emphasizing the integration of methodologies in anthropology and ecology. Following the winter break trip, students will complete and present their research projects. This course is the second part of a two term sequence beginning with Environmental Studies 250.

     Prerequisites:

    Student has completed any of the following course(s): ENTS 250 with grade of C- or better during the immediately preceding term AND at least one term of Spanish or equivalent proficiency.

     6 credits; IS, International Studies, SI, Social Inquiry; offered Winter 2026 · Daniel Hernández, Constanza Ocampo-Raeder

  • ENTS 294: Directed Research in Environmental Studies

    Students work on a research project related to a faculty member's research interests, and directed by that faculty member. Student activities vary according to the field and stage of the project. The long-run goal of these projects normally includes dissemination to a scholarly community beyond Carleton. The faculty member will meet regularly with the student and actively direct the work of the student, who will submit an end-of-term product, typically a paper or presentation.

     1 – 6 credits; No Exploration; offered Fall 2025, Winter 2026, Spring 2026

  • ENTS 394: Directed Research in Environmental Studies

    Students work on a research project related to a faculty member's research interests, and directed by that faculty member. Student activities vary according to the field and stage of the project. The long-run goal of these projects normally includes dissemination to a scholarly community beyond Carleton. The faculty member will meet regularly with the student and actively direct the work of the student, who will submit an end-of-term product, typically a paper or presentation.

     1 – 6 credits; S/CR/NC; No Exploration; offered Fall 2025, Winter 2026, Spring 2026 · Roger Faust, Devavani Chatterjea

  • ENTS 400: Integrative Exercise

    In this course, ENTS majors will work on a team project designing environmental interventions for a real-world setting.

     Prerequisites:

    Student has completed the following course: ENTS 395 with grade of C- or better.

     6 credits; No Exploration; offered Winter 2026 · Devavani Chatterjea

Spring 2026term list

  • ENTS 120: Introduction to Geospatial Analysis & Lab

    Spatial data analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, global positioning, and related technologies are increasingly important for understanding and analyzing a wide range of biophysical, social, and economic phenomena. This course serves as an overview and introduction to the concepts, algorithms, issues, and methods in describing, analyzing, and modeling geospatial data over a range of application areas.

    During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry.

     6 credits; QRE, Quantitative Reasoning, SI, Social Inquiry; offered Fall 2025, Spring 2026 · Karissa Pepin

  • ENTS 120: Introduction to Geospatial Analysis & Lab

    Spatial data analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, global positioning, and related technologies are increasingly important for understanding and analyzing a wide range of biophysical, social, and economic phenomena. This course serves as an overview and introduction to the concepts, algorithms, issues, and methods in describing, analyzing, and modeling geospatial data over a range of application areas.

    During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry.

     6 credits; QRE, Quantitative Reasoning, SI, Social Inquiry; offered Fall 2025, Spring 2026 · Karissa Pepin

  • ENTS 120: Introduction to Geospatial Analysis & Lab

    Spatial data analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, global positioning, and related technologies are increasingly important for understanding and analyzing a wide range of biophysical, social, and economic phenomena. This course serves as an overview and introduction to the concepts, algorithms, issues, and methods in describing, analyzing, and modeling geospatial data over a range of application areas.

    During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry.

     6 credits; QRE, Quantitative Reasoning, SI, Social Inquiry; offered Fall 2025, Spring 2026 · Karissa Pepin

  • ENTS 210: Environmental Justice

    The environmental justice movement seeks greater participation by marginalized communities in environmental policy, and equity in the distribution of environmental harms and benefits. This course will examine the meaning of “environmental justice,” the history of the movement, the empirical foundation for the movement’s claims, and specific policy questions. Our focus is the United States, but students will have the opportunity to research environmental justice in other countries. 6 credits; IDS, Intercultural Domestic Studies, QRE, Quantitative Reasoning, SI, Social Inquiry; offered Spring 2026 · Devavani Chatterjea

  • ENTS 294: Directed Research in Environmental Studies

    Students work on a research project related to a faculty member's research interests, and directed by that faculty member. Student activities vary according to the field and stage of the project. The long-run goal of these projects normally includes dissemination to a scholarly community beyond Carleton. The faculty member will meet regularly with the student and actively direct the work of the student, who will submit an end-of-term product, typically a paper or presentation.

     1 – 6 credits; No Exploration; offered Fall 2025, Winter 2026, Spring 2026

  • ENTS 320: Seminar: Listening to the Land

    For many Indigenous peoples, land is a relative, a teacher, and a source of knowledge. This seminar examines Indigenous relationships with land through the writings of Native authors, scholars, and activists, exploring Traditional Ecological Knowledge, stewardship, and environmental challenges. We will consider how Indigenous knowledge informs responses to climate change, land use, biodiversity loss, and other environmental threats, while also recognizing land and non-human beings as active participants in cultural and ecological systems. Through a reading-group format, discussions will foster critical reflection and connections to broader environmental issues. Students will also conduct an independent research paper, applying course themes to a focused topic of inquiry.

     6 credits; HI, Humanistic Inquiry, IDS, Intercultural Domestic Studies; offered Spring 2026 · Roger Faust

  • ENTS 394: Directed Research in Environmental Studies

    Students work on a research project related to a faculty member's research interests, and directed by that faculty member. Student activities vary according to the field and stage of the project. The long-run goal of these projects normally includes dissemination to a scholarly community beyond Carleton. The faculty member will meet regularly with the student and actively direct the work of the student, who will submit an end-of-term product, typically a paper or presentation.

     1 – 6 credits; S/CR/NC; No Exploration; offered Fall 2025, Winter 2026, Spring 2026 · Roger Faust, Devavani Chatterjea

  • ENTS 394: Directed Research in Environmental Studies

    Students work on a research project related to a faculty member's research interests, and directed by that faculty member. Student activities vary according to the field and stage of the project. The long-run goal of these projects normally includes dissemination to a scholarly community beyond Carleton. The faculty member will meet regularly with the student and actively direct the work of the student, who will submit an end-of-term product, typically a paper or presentation.

     1 – 6 credits; S/CR/NC; No Exploration; offered Fall 2025, Winter 2026, Spring 2026 · Roger Faust, Devavani Chatterjea