Ecological restoration aims to assist the recovery of damaged and degraded ecosystems, returning them to ecological health. Restoration depends heavily on the science of ecology -- however, restoration involves social, political, economic, and ethical considerations as well. This course examines ecological restoration from an interdisciplinary perspective, providing an introduction to key concepts in restoration ecology, philosophy, and social science. We will also explore the practice of ecological restoration in Colorado, visiting restoration sites such as Shooks Run Creek, the Waldo Canyon burn area, and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Denver, where we will participate in restoration work as a class. A key goal of the course is to connect conceptual frameworks for restoration to issues and questions involved in ecological restoration on the ground. Finally, we will discuss a number of emerging topics and controversies in restoration, including debates over native and exotic species, climate change and ecological restoration, and the role of art in the interpretation of restored sites.

In the Science and Ethics of Genetics, students will study genetics from two distinct disciplinary perspectives – biology and philosophy – while also gaining an understanding of how these disciplines mutually inform one another. In particular, the course will show that ethical questions associated with stem cell research, genetic testing, gene therapy, and assisted reproduction cannot be answered effectively in the absence of basic biological understanding. Conversely, decisions about how to conduct research in biology and how to apply biotechnologies are impoverished in the absence of thoughtful, ethical reflection. This course will assist students in developing the scientific and philosophical literacy necessary to make thoughtful and informed assessments – from both personal and political perspectives – about biotechnology and its role in our lives.