ANTH 368: Human Dimensions of Wildlife Conservation

Course Description

This course focuses on the most central issue in the conservation of wildlife: people. This course will integrate perspectives from conservation biology and environmental anthropology, focusing particularly on the interaction between humans and the environment and how this influences the effectiveness and appropriateness of measures taken to preserve biodiversity. The course includes a discussion of perspectives on the value of biodiversity; a careful exploration of human-generated threats to biodiversity, including habitat destruction, overhunting, the wildlife trade, invasive species, and global warming; and an extensive overview and critique of conservation solutions, such as the creation of protected areas, community-based conservation, ecotourism, economic incentives programs, debt-for-nature swaps, and more. The effects of globalization on international conservation will be an integral part of this discussion. Cross-listed: ANTHRO368/ENV STDS 368.