Course Outlines

Course Outline

Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 03, 10
Introduces the biological anthropology field, one of the four sub-fields within anthropology. Sometimes called physical anthropology, biological anthropology is the study of our collective human origins. Students will accomplish this through three main areas: study of biological evolution, including the forces of evolution and cellular biology; comparing primate and human physical and behavioral practices; and by examining hominid evolution from groups beginning four to five million years ago through today as they are shaped by environmental and cultural stimuli. Study will be done through a variety of in class discussions and lectures as well as simulated or dry lab activities. Additionally, students will learn how modern cultural implications impact our evolution and environment today. May be paired with ANTH 1131 to fulfill a lab science requirement.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites:

• ANTH 1131 Introduction to Biological Anthropology Lab

Future Offering:

• Spring 2024
• Summer 2024

Course Outline

Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 07, 10
Introduces students to American Indian cultures from an anthropological perspective. This is accomplished through three primary avenues: a broad survey of cultures prior to European colonization; the historical-cultural experiences that contributed to present day Native American communities; and finally issues in modern American Indian communities and their relationships with anthropologists. Specific North American culture areas from the Midwest and Great Plains, through the Southeast and Southwest will be surveyed.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

Course Outline

Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 05, 10
Introduces the complex relationship between humans and the environment. Students will analyze how changing paleo-climates shaped human evolution and explore the interdependence between humans and the environment today. Students will study a variety of contemporary and historical cultural groups in terms of their production, consumption, social organization, and worldview. Students will learn how successful adaptation to climate and geography, the conservation of species, and management of available resources have contributed to survival or collapse of societies in documented cases. Students will interpret what humanity can learn about sustainability from these cases and the empirical knowledge systems of traditional cultural groups.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

Course Outline

Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 03, 10
Introduces students to fundamental concepts in ecology focusing on human impact and exploitation of the environment stressing the limits of the biosphere with respect to resources, energy, and pollution. Activities may include discussion, group activities, guest speakers and films.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

• Spring 2024

Course Outline

Credits: 4
MNTC Goal Areas: 03, 10
Introduces students to fundamental concepts in ecology focusing on human impact and exploitation of the environment stressing the limits of the biosphere with respect to resources, energy, and pollution. Activities may include discussion, group activities, guest speakers and films. One semester credit of lab includes field trips and analysis of factors using the campus landscape. This course is open to all students and meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.3200, Subp. 3, Standard J1, J2 a, b, c, d, e, f, J3, J4 J5, J6, H1 a, b, c, H2 a, b, H3 a, b, c, d, H4 a, b, H5 a, b, H6 a, b, H7 a, b, c, d.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

• Spring 2024
• Summer 2024

Course Outline

Credits: 4
MNTC Goal Areas: 06, 10
Explores a wide range of environmentally focused issues through the study of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, policy, technical reports, and/or film. Major themes are cultivating environmental awareness; understanding spiritual, symbolic, and practical responses to the environment; conflicting attitudes toward the environment; and achieving harmony with the environment. Sources will be chosen from a variety of traditions and cultures.

Prerequisites:

• Please go to e-Services to see Pre-requisites for this course

Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

• Spring 2024

Course Outline

Credits: 4
MNTC Goal Areas: 08, 10
Explores human interactions with environments over time and space through topics directed toward an understanding of the ways in which humans live, and the means by which they interpret and manipulate the physical earth. Topics will include the character of the earth's physical landscapes, distribution of energy in the form of weather and climatic regions, biological communities, human interactions with these physical systems, and how human diversity in language, religion, economics, and politics, has differentiated and influenced human interaction on the planet.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

• Spring 2024

Course Outline

Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 07, 10
Presents a region-by-region analysis of the diversity of people and environments of North America. Emphasis will be on the study of similarities and contrasts in regional landscapes and on interactions with other peoples and regions of the world.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

Course Outline

Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 03, 10
Instructs the use (and misuse) of maps. Basic principles of communication using maps, including projections, scale, and symbolization, as well as measurement and analysis of mapped information. The introduction of current mapping skills through Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is emphasized through cartographic exercises. This is a lab science course.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

Course Outline

Credits: 4
MNTC Goal Areas: 03, 10
Examines the atmosphere and its behavior in relation to weather and climate. Examines atmosphere structure, stability, and motion; earth energy balance, precipitation processes, pressure systems, cloud development and type, ocean currents, general meteorological patterns in time and space. Observation and analysis of satellite imagery and digital meteorological and climatic information. Evaluation of natural factors of climate patterns as well as the reconstruction of past climates. Investigation of climate change from the past up to the present time and human activities that influence climate.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

• Spring 2024
• Summer 2024

Course Outline

Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 03, 10
Explores the origin, nature, location and management issues of natural renewable and non-renewable resources on a global scale. Fuels, energy sources, soils, minerals, fisheries, and forests will be examined with other natural resources.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

• Spring 2024

Course Outline

Credits: 4
MNTC Goal Areas: 03, 10
Emphasize the interactions of the biosphere, geological and climatic systems in the development of the pattern of regional environments including the study of spatial patterns and processes associated with the Earth's natural systems. Investigate the interactions of geology, ecosystems and weather and how such interactions impact diverse populations around the world in terms of agriculture, economics and natural resources.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

• Spring 2024

Course Outline

Credits: 4
MNTC Goal Areas: 03, 10
Instructs the use of digital data storage, retrieval, manipulation, analysis and display of spatial and temporal data using Geographic Information Systems(GIS) technology through a combination of class presentations and laboratory exercises. Both general theory and specific application with respect to GIS will be addressed as well as the present application of GIS in various industries. This is a lab science course.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

Course Outline

Credits: 4
MNTC Goal Areas: 03, 10
Provides a holistic approach to the workings of the atmosphere and climatological impacts on global human populations. Topics include weather patterns and long-term trends, including global climate change. Climatology relative to the United States will be examined in the context of extreme weather and alternative energy source potential.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

• Spring 2024

Course Outline

Credits: 4
MNTC Goal Areas: 03, 10
Studies the nature, properties, and processes that shape and alter the Earth. Analysis and study of the nature and character of materials composing the Earth; and processes that have formed, altered, and transformed the Earth's surface. This course is open to all students and meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.3200, Subp. 3, Standard J1, J2 a, b, c, d, e, f, J3, J4.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

• Spring 2024
• Summer 2024

Course Outline

Credits: 4
MNTC Goal Areas: 03, 10
Examines the Earth's planetary materials and processes as they have evolved and changed over time. Emphasis is placed on the study of evolution and life as it applies to the succession of plants and animals evidenced in the fossil record and the processes which have altered the character of the Earth's continents and oceans through time.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

Course Outline

Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 03, 10
Investigates the physical processes, origins, and human and economic impacts of natural disasters. Students will examine earthquakes, volcanism, severe weather, climate change, wildfires, and floods among other natural catastrophic phenomena and will engage in lab-like experiences that include mapping and data analysis.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

• Spring 2024
• Summer 2024

Course Outline

Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 05, 10
Examines the historical development of the State of Minnesota, from its prehistoric origins through the territorial period, and to the present. Surveys social, political, economic and geographical forces, with emphasis on the interaction of people and environment, that have shaped Minnesota's history.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

• Spring 2024

Course Outline

Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 03, 10
Investigates the causes and magnitudes of past and present climate change. Identifies humans' responsibility in our recent past and future climate and how this impacts humans globally. Predicts future climate change based on current trends and explores climate solutions.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

• Spring 2024

Course Outline

Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 09, 10
Examines current and traditional accounts of the environment including the impact of human activity, natural events, geographical changes, climate change, etc. This course will also explore a range of philosophical topics within the area of environmentalism and its role in human development.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

• Spring 2024

Course Outline

Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 05, 10
Requires you to critically consider and address the history, organizations, interest groups, and processes that shape domestic and global environmental issues. The course will focus primarily on the following areas of study: (1) political and policy processes, (2) the public lands debate, (3) the politics of waste and toxins, (4) the politics of energy, (5) the politics of water, (6) the politics of air quality, (7) the politics of endangered species and biodiversity, (8) the politics of global environmental issues, (9) the politics of human population growth, and (10) the politics of environmental sustainability. Using cutting-edge social scientific theory and research, you will be asked to examine your own political values, experiences and behavior regarding contemporary environmental problems and potential solutions.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

Course Outline

Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 05, 10
Explores the ways in which societies have created ecological problems; the human dimensions of climate change; and how institutional arrangements are evolving to deal with environmental challenges. In addressing these topics the course will make linkages between local, national and global processes. Prerequisites: Recommended SOC 1100.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

• Spring 2024