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Western American Studies Course List Fall 2026

The following courses are acceptable for credit toward the certificate in Fall 2026. Other courses not on this list may be relevant for the program, and will be reviewed for possible inclusion upon request. For more info about the program, email Academic Programs Coordinator Ryan Lueck atÌýryan.lueck@colorado.edu. For more info about Center of the American West programs and events, visitÌý/center/west/.

Center of the American West Required Courses (3 credit hours each)

CAMW 2001 The American West (introductory course)Ìý

TTh 11am-12:15pm, Ramaley Biology Bldg N1B31, Inst. Brooke Neely: Students tour the cultural, social, and natural features of the American West, based on readings and presentations by guest speakers from the ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä faculty and from important professions and positions in the West. Designed as the foundation course in the Western American Studies certificate program.

CAMW 4840 Independent Study (capstone course) - available with instructor approvalÌýÌý

Center of the American West Optional CoursesÌý

CAMW 3939 American West Internships

Social Sciences (3 credit hours required)

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ANTH 1120 Exploring a Non-Western Culture: Pueblos Indians of the Southwest

Meets Online (CE), Inst: Kaitlyn Davis: Examines the geography, kinship, politics and religious values of Pueblo Indian peoples of the US Southwest in historical and contemporary context through an anthropological perspective. Specific details of Pueblo Indian languages, cultures, and histories are used to illustrate basic ideas and debates in anthropology including: the concept of culture, the influence of language on thought, the grounding of culture in human biology, religion and reason, the nature of oral traditions, and archaeological interpretation.

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ECON 3535 Natural Resources ·¡³¦´Ç²Ô´Ç³¾¾±³¦²õÌý

MWF 1:25pm-2:15pm, Hellems Arts and Sciences Bldg E1B10, Inst; Pan Chen & Haeson Park: Integrates economic analysis with life science aspects of natural resource systems to develop social policies for use of natural resources. Studies economists' approaches to resources policy analysis and applies them to energy, forestry, fisheries, mineral and water systems. Economics (ECON) majors may be approved to enroll with advisor & instructor approval and count towards the major GPA. Majors must consult with assigned ECON advisor to determine eligibility to be enrolled. Degree credit not granted for this course and ECON 4535.Ìý

ECON 3545 Environmental Economics

TTh 9:30am-10:45am, Eaton Humanities Bldg 135, Inst: Pan Chen & Stephanie Weber: Highlights causes of excessive environmental pollution and tools for controlling it through economic analysis, values of preservation and distribution of costs and benefits from environmental protection programs. Economics (ECON) majors may be approved to enroll with advisor & instructor approval and count towards the major GPA. Majors must consult with assigned ECON advisor to determine eligibility to be enrolled. Degree credit not granted for this course and ECON 4545.Ìý Ìý

Environmental Studies

ENVS 3140 Environmental Ethics

4 Sections: Examines major traditions in moral philosophy to see what light they shed on value issues in environmental policy and the value presuppositions of the economic, ecological, and juridical approaches to the environment. Same as PHIL 3140.Ìý

001: MWF 1:25pm-2:15pm, Ramaley Biology Bldg N1B31, Inst: Tim Burkhardt

002: MWF 2:30pm-3:20pm, Hellems Arts and Sciences Bldg E200, Inst: Tim Burkhardt

003: Meets Online, Inst: David Youkey

004: TTh 2:30pm-3:45pm, Sustain Energy & Environ Cmplx N124, Inst: Carrie Vodehnal

ENVS 3621 Energy Policy and Society

TTh 10:00am-11:15am, Sustain Energy and Environ Cmplx N124, Inst: Nirav Patel: Examines how society makes decisions about energy, and how these decisions affect the environment and the economy. Uses tools from policy analysis, economics, and other disciplines to build an in-depth understanding of energy's role in U.S. contemporary society. Fulfills Cornerstone requirement of ENVS majors. Recommended prerequisites: ENVS 1000 and ENVS 3070 or PHYS 3070.Ìý

American Indian Studies (Ethnic Studies)

ETHN 2013 Critical Issues of Native American North America

MWF 11:15am-12:05pm, Eaton Hunamanities Bldg 135, Inst: Clint Carrol: Explores a series of issues including regulations of population, land and resource holdings, water rights, education, religious freedom, military obligations, the sociopolitical role of men and women, self-governance, and legal standing as these pertain to American Indian life.Ìý

Geography

GEOG 3251 Mountain Geography

W 4:05pm-6:35pm, Sustain Energy & Environ Cmplx N1216, Inst: Jennifer Murdock: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are increasingly important for tackling environmental change and sustainability challenges. This introductory course in GIS will provide a broad foundation of spatial thinking and geo-technologies. We will consider spatial data, learn about real-world applications of GIS within the field of sustainability, and work through hands-on exercises in ArcGIS Online and QGIS to build confidence utilizing such software in your future careers. A personal laptop is required; prior GIS experience is not. Formerly offered as a special topics course.Ìý

GEOG 4501 Water Resources and Management of the Western U.S. (same as GEOG 5501)

MW 3:35pm-4:50pm, Hellems Arts and Sciences Bldg E100, Inst: William Travis: Water scarcity is a perpetual issue facing communities in the western Unites States. This course critically evaluates water use, emphasizing problems associated with geographic maldistribution, appropriations, irrigation, industry, pollution and regional development. Interprets and analyzes hydroclimatic data, surface and groundwater. Same as GEOG 5501.Ìý

Linguistics

LING 3220 American Indian Languages in their Social and Cultural Contexts

TTh 11:00am-12:15pm, Bruce Curtis Bldg E186, Inst: Ambrocio Gutiérrez Lorenzo: A sampling of the many indigenous languages and cultures found in America. Emphasizes the United States, but also gives attention to the languages of Canada and Latin America. Recommended restriction: students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).Ìý

Political Science

PSCI 3206 The Environment and Public PolicyÌýÌý

TTh 11:00am-12:15pm, Hellems Arts and Sciences Bldg, Inst: Nancy Billica: Considers constitutional, political, and geographic factors in development of public policy affecting the use of natural resources and management of the environment; organization, procedures, and programs for use of natural resources; and administration of environmental policies. Recommended prerequisite: PSCI 1101 or PSCI 2012.Ìý

Humanities (3 credit hours required)

English

ENGL 1800 American Ethnic Literature (same as ETHN 1800)

001: MWF 12:20pm-1:10pm, Guggenheim Geography Bldg 205, Inst: TBD

002: MWF 9:05am-9:55am, Hellems Arts and Sciences Bldg E130, Inst: TBD

003: TTh 8:00am-9:15am, Hellems Arts and Sciences Bldg E230, Inst: TBD

004: MWF 10:10am-11:00am, Carlson Gymnasium 202, Inst: TBD

History

HIST 3020 Historical Thinking and Writing

Section 002: TTh 12:30pm-1:45pm, Center Acad Success & Engagement E313, Inst: Thomas Andrews: The second cornerstone course for history majors centers on the essential skills all historians use. Students will advance their reading, sourcing, and research techniques, hone critical, analytical, and synthetic skills, navigate scholarly discourse, and practice historical writing. As this simultaneously satisfies the College's upper-division writing requirement, all sections involve substantial, regular, and varied writing assignments as well as instruction in methods and the revision process. All topical variations of this course are limited to a maximum of 18 students in order to focus on supporting students as they learn to write - and think - like an historian. Topics will vary by section. Recommended for sophomores or juniors, HIST 3020 may be taken concurrently with, but not prior to, HIST 1800. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours.Ìý

HIST 4527 Mexican American History 1848 - Present

MWF 1:25pm-2:15pm, Ketchum Arts and Sciences Bldg 1B87, Inst: Natalie Mendoza Gutierrez: Examines Mexican-origins people in the United States from the 19th century through the present. Focuses on Mexican-American history as both an integral part of American history and as a unique subject of historical investigation. Using primary and secondary sources, students will examine how Mexicans and Mexican-Americans have negotiated, influenced, and responded to political, social, cultural, and economic circumstances in the U.S. Recommended prerequisite: HIST 1015 or HIST 1025.Ìý

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PHIL 3140 Environmental Ethics (same as ENVS 3140)

4 Sections: Examines major traditions in moral philosophy to see what light they shed on value issues in environmental policy and the value presuppositions of the economic, ecological, and juridical approaches to the environment. Same as PHIL 3140.Ìý

001: MWF 1:25pm-2:15pm, Ramaley Biology Bldg N1B31, Inst: Tim Burkhardt

002: MWF 2:30pm-3:20pm, Hellems Arts and Sciences Bldg E200, Inst: Tim Burkhardt

003: Meets Online, Inst: David Youkey

004: TTh 2:30pm-3:45pm, Sustain Energy & Environ Cmplx N124, Inst: Carrie Vodehnal

Program for Writing and Rhetoric

WRTG 3020 Topics in Writing -Ìýthese sections only:Ìý

Native American Topics

TTh 3:30pm-4:45pm, Muenzinger Psyc & Biopsych E114, Inst: Jaquetta Shade-Johnson:Ìý

Don't Fence Me In: 2 Sections:ÌýThrough sustained inquiry into a selected topic or issue, students will practice advanced forms of academic writing. Emphasizes analysis, criticism and argument. Taught as a writing seminar, places a premium on substantive, thoughtful revision. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Department enforced prerequisite: WRTG 1150 or equivalent (completion of lower-division writing requirement).Ìý

064: TTh 12:30-1:45pm, Stadium Bldg 112, Inst: Jay Ellis:

080: TTh 3:30pm-4:45pm, Engineering Center ECCR 1B08, Inst: Jay Ellis

Myths of the American West

MWF 10:10am-11:00am, Clare Small Arts and Sciences 211, Inst: Jason Shafer: Through sustained inquiry into a selected topic or issue, students will practice advanced forms of academic writing. Emphasizes analysis, criticism and argument. Taught as a writing seminar, places a premium on substantive, thoughtful revision. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Department enforced prerequisite: WRTG 1150 or equivalent (completion of lower-division writing requirement).Ìý

Natural Sciences (3 credit hours required)

Ecology and Environmental BiologyÌý

EBIO 2040 Principles of Ecology (lecture and lab): 2 Sections, see ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Class Search for Lab Sections (14 available): Lecture and laboratory. Introduces principles of ecology, emphasizing patterns and processes at various levels of biological organization. Scope global, but examples often from local environment. Laboratory emphasizes techniques of field biology. Uses animals and/or animal tissues. Recommended prerequisites:Ìý ²¹²Ô»åÌý ²¹²Ô»åÌý ´Ç°ùÌý ²¹²Ô»åÌý ²¹²Ô»åÌý ²¹²Ô»åÌý (minimum grade C-). Degree credit not granted for this course ²¹²Ô»åÌý.

LEC 010: MWF 12:20-1:10pm, Ramaley Biology Bldg N1B23, Inst: Michael Gil

LEC 020: TTh 12:30-1:45pm, Engineering Center ECCR 245, Inst: Teresa Bilinski

Physics

PHYS 3070 Energy and the Environment (same as ENVS 3070)

MWF 9:05am-9:55am, Duane Physics G125, Inst: Stephen Wagner: Contemporary issues in energy consumption and its environmental impact, including fossil fuel use and depletion; nuclear energy and waste disposal; solar, wind, hydroelectric, and other renewable sources; home heating; energy storage; fuel cells; and alternative transportation vehicles. Included are some basic physical concepts and principles that often constrain choices. No background in physics is required. Same as ENVS 3070.Ìý

Environmental Studies

ENVS 3070 Energy and the Environment (same as PHYS 3070)

MWF 9:05am-9:55am, Duane Physics G125, Inst: Stephen Wagner: Contemporary issues in energy consumption and its environmental impact, including fossil fuel use and depletion; nuclear energy and waste disposal; solar, wind, hydroelectric, and other renewable sources; home heating; energy storage; fuel cells; and alternative transportation vehicles. Included are some basic physical concepts and principles that often constrain choices. No background in physics is required. Same as ENVS 3070.Ìý

ENVS 3140 Environmental Ethics, 4 Sections: Examines major traditions in moral philosophy to see what light they shed on value issues in environmental policy and the value presuppositions of the economic, ecological, and juridical approaches to the environment. Same as PHIL 3140.Ìý

001: MWF 1:25pm-2:15pm, Ramaley Biology Bldg N1B31, Inst: Tim Burkhardt

002: MWF 2:30pm-3:20pm, Hellems Arts and Sciences Bldg E200, Inst: Tim Burkhardt

003: Meets Online, Inst: David Youkey

004: TTh 2:30pm-3:45pm, Sustain Energy & Environ Cmplx N124, Inst: Carrie Vodehnal

ENVS 3140 Environmental Ethics (same as PHIL 3140), 4 Sections: Examines major traditions in moral philosophy to see what light they shed on value issues in environmental policy and the value presuppositions of the economic, ecological, and juridical approaches to the environment. Same as PHIL 3140.Ìý

001: MWF 1:25pm-2:15pm, Ramaley Biology Bldg N1B31, Inst: Tim Burkhardt

002: MWF 2:30pm-3:20pm, Hellems Arts and Sciences Bldg E200, Inst: Tim Burkhardt

003: Meets Online, Inst: David Youkey

004: TTh 2:30pm-3:45pm, Sustain Energy & Environ Cmplx N124, Inst: Carrie Vodehnal

ENVS 3621 Energy Policy and Society

TTh 10:00am-11:15am, Sustain Energy and Environ Cmplx N124, Inst: Nirav Patel: Examines how society makes decisions about energy, and how these decisions affect the environment and the economy. Uses tools from policy analysis, economics, and other disciplines to build an in-depth understanding of energy's role in U.S. contemporary society. Fulfills Cornerstone requirement of ENVS majors. Recommended prerequisites: ENVS 1000 and ENVS 3070 or PHYS 3070.Ìý

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GEOG 1011 Environmental Systems 2: Landscapes and Water: 2 Sections, See ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Boulder Class Search for Labs (12 available): Understanding our fragile planet and the life it harbors requires understanding how the distribution of the sun's energy at the surface, the atmosphere and its circulation, and the distribution of ocean and lands shape patterns of temperature, precipitation and vegetation across the globe. Along with providing a foundation for understanding planet Earth, this course addresses the growing impacts of human systems on climate change and environmental quality.

LEC 010: TTh 9:30am-10:45am, Eaton Humanities Bldg 150, Inst: Mark Serreze

LEC 010: MWF 1:25pm-2:15pm, Eaton Humanities Bldg 150, Inst: Sisimac Duchicela

GEOG 4371 Forest Geography: Principles and Dynamics

TTh 5:00pm-6:15pm, Guggenheim Geography Bldg 2, Inst: Rachel Isaacs: Surveys principles of forest geography and ecology. Includes both individual tree responses to environmental factors and species interactions within communities. Emphasizes forest dynamics and their relation to management problems. Same as GEOG 5371.Ìý

GEOG 4501 Water Resources and Management of the Western U.S. (same as GEOG 5501)

MW 3:35pm-4:50pm, Hellems Arts and Sciences Bldg E100, Inst: William Travis: Water scarcity is a perpetual issue facing communities in the western Unites States. This course critically evaluates water use, emphasizing problems associated with geographic maldistribution, appropriations, irrigation, industry, pollution and regional development. Interprets and analyzes hydroclimatic data, surface and groundwater. Same as GEOG 5501.Ìý

Geological Sciences

GEOL 1010ÌýAND GEOL 1030 Exploring Earth AND Intro Geology Lab I, 2 Sections: Introductory geology for majors and non-majors. Studies Earth, its materials, its characteristics, its dynamic processes, and how it relates to people. Separate lab (ERTH 1030) is recommended. Formerly GEOL 1010. Degree credit not granted for this class and ERTH 1012.ÌýSee ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Class Search for Lab Sections (GEOL 1030, 16 times available)

MWF 12:20pm-1:10pm, Benson Earth Sciences Bldg 180, Inst: Jennifer Stempien

MWF 10:10am-11:00am, Benson Earth Sciences Bldg 180, Inst: Suzanne Anderson

GEOL 1012ÌýANDÌýGEOL 1030 Exploring Earth for Scientists AND Intro Geology Lab I).ÌýSee ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Class Search for Lab Sections (GEOL 1030, 16 times available)

MWF 10:10am-11:00am, Benson Earth Sciences Bldg 185, Inst: Craig Jones: Studies Earth, its materials, its characteristics, its dynamic processes, and how it relates to people. This course is an introductory geology course suitable for geology and other STEM majors. LikeÌý, but taught at a higher intellectual level with a greater amount of quantitative analysis. Separate lab () is recommended. FormerlyÌý. Degree credit not granted for this course and ERTH 1012.

GEOL 1020ÌýAND GEOL 1030 (Dodos, Dinos, and Deinococcus: The History of a Habitable Planet AND Intro to Geology Lab I)ÌýExamines how the solid, fluid, and living Earth interact, how changes in the oceans, atmosphere and life reflect that interaction over the immensity of geologic time, and how the rock record is analyzed to reconstruct the co-evolution of Earth and life. Formerly GEOL 1020.Ìý See ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Class Search for Lab Sections (GEOL 1030, 16 times available)

MWF 9:05am-9:55am, Benson Earth Sciences Bldg 180, Inst: Kathryn Snell

GEOL 1040 Geology of Colorado

TTh 9:30am-10:45am, Benson Earth Sciences Bldg 180, Inst: Lon Abbot: Reviews the geologic evolution and history of Colorado. It first develops the basic concepts needed to interpret the geology and then systematically shows how the state evolved through geologic time. Designed for those who enjoy understanding the beauty and splendor of the state. Formerly GEOL 1040.