This senior seminar is an opportunity for seniors to explore environmental and cultural issues at a global level. Our goal is to better understand the relationship between the natural and cultural history of a region and its current land use policies and patterns. Several global regions will set the stage for discussions of timely issues such as eating and growing food locally, the exchange of commodities on a global level, natural resource conservation and utilization, the cultural and environmental impacts of ecotourism, and environmental justice. We will ask how do land use decisions vary among cultures, and what are the ecological, social, and economic impacts of these decisions? Topics will be determined by the class and will be explored through an interdisciplinary lens.

During the Fall Intensive, students experience an intensive introduction to the ecology, society, and culture of their new environment in northern New England. This includes studying local botany, human history, land-use practices of the regional economy, and the local artisan community. Students begin outdoor challenge activities and small group work, learn about establishing norms of social conduct, build community, and initiate conversations about what it means to live sustainably. This course consists of group discussions, tours, orientations to various Sterling College programs, and outdoor activities.

Examines the importance of landscape and place in the works of both classical and contemporary spiritual and nature writers, including Edward Abbey's Desert Solitaire, Annie Dillard's Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, Leslie Marmon Silko's Ceremony, Norman Maclean's A River Runs Through It, and Terry Tempest Williams's Refuge. Assignments will include readings and several short papers. This course meets the requirement for two Humanities credits emphasizing textual analysis and written critical response.

What do potato farming in Fort Kent Maine, an ATV park in Berlin, New Hampshire, Howard Frank Mosher’s novella Where the Rivers Flow North, and the Adirondacks’ Blue Line all have in common? Nature and Culture in the Northern Forest will explore questions of how these 30 million acres of northern New England and New York define a unified sense of region – of how we come to define a landscape and how it comes to define us. This class will pose a challenge to rethink the fundamental notion of how we define place and consider: How can the different ways in which we define "region" intersect to help build a more comprehensive understanding of how communities in the Northern Forest are shaped by—and, in turn, shape—our evolving understanding of place? By using the lenses of environmental humanities and experiential scholarship to look critically at the ways in which this region has been defined historically, students will draw from a broad range of resources and field-based experiences that will help not only to broadly reimagine the region of the Northern Forest but also to provide tools with which we can address broader regional issues in a global context. This course meets the requirement for two humanities credits emphasizing textual analysis and written critical response.

Students improve technical paddling skills, safety judgment, and teaching techniques by challenging the turbulent Spring run-off of local rivers. Teamwork is emphasized for tandem boat control and hazard avoidance. Some solo canoeing and rescue training are also involved. The course meets American Canoe Association standards for moving water and whitewater training. Fundamental skills such as understanding water dynamics, boat lean, powerful body mechanics, and efficient strokes lead to precise maneuvers including ferries, eddy turns, and peel-outs. Students must supply clothing and equipment for cold-water conditions. Some weekend classes will be required. Prerequisite: SS105: Sense of Place

In this course participants will be introduced to working with cattle through experience, lecture, reading, and discussion. An emphasis will be placed on the process one would use to train a team of bull calves for common farm and woods work. This training process will be used as a vehicle to explore different topics related to working cattle, such as: practical driving skills, selecting calves, feeding, housing, foot care, bovine health, risk management, yoke mechanics, training principles, bovine psychology, bovine physiology, a comparison with equines, trouble-shooting a team, a historical perspective of working cattle, and working cattle in international forestry and agriculture. All of the above will be covered at an introductory level, and individual topics may be covered in greater depth according to student interest.

Open for topics of special interest to faculty and students in a particular year. A group wishing to initiate a course will draw up a detailed syllabus to keep on file and submit it to the Dean of Academics for approval. A recent example is The Art of Place. Students were introduced to tools for community building such as labyrinths, stone rings, and circle dance.

Open for topics of special interest to faculty and students in a particular year. A group wishing to initiate a course will draw up a detailed syllabus to keep on file and submit it to the Dean of Academics for approval. A recent example is The Art of Place. Students were introduced to tools for community building such as labyrinths, stone rings, and circle dance.

Students learn skills necessary for leading an extended trip (6 or more days) on the waterways of northern New York, northern New England, or Canada. Students are involved in trip planning, food packing, and equipment choice. During the trip, students refine their paddling, portaging, navigation and leadership skills. Written reports before, during, and after the trip place the student in the role of a commercial canoeing outfitter with emphasis on detailed planning, risk management, and setting appropriate expectations for clients. Prerequisites: SS105, SS110, and AS220, or permission of the instructor.