Introduction to Environmental Studies (ENVS 112)

This course is designed to provide students with an appreciation for the complexity of environmental issues and an awareness of the tools that can be applied to understand and solve problems involving the environment. The course includes units on the basic principles of environmental science, energy, climate, water, agriculture, economics and policy and more. We discuss methods for answering questions regarding the consequences of our actions and, using a systems approach, focus on methods for organizing information to evaluate complex issues.

This course includes field trips in and around campus including biological sampling in the Kokosing River, a visit to Kenyon Farm, testing the enemy release hypothesis at the Brown Family Environmental Center and considering the value of nature is portrayed in the collections of the Gund Gallery.

Managed Ecosystems (ENVS 343)

Nearly all ecosystems are managed in some way. Management can have a variety of goals including species conservation, food production, recreational opportunities, or ecosystem resilience. This course focuses on understanding how ecosystems are managed and why management does or does not work as intended. We use primary literature, field trips to local managed ecosystems, and case studies from a range of systems, like fisheries, National Parks, agricultural lands, and urban ecosystems to explore the scientific and human dimensions of natural resource management. 

This course partners with local and regional land managers from Ohio Dept. of Transportation, Dept. of Natural Resources, Knox Co Soil Water Conservation District and more to understand how management decisions are made and their ecological consequences.

Sustainable Agriculture (ENVS 253)

In this course, we consider  where food comes from and what it takes to produce it. We critically analyze the ecological, social, cultural, and political dimensions of agriculture and apply systems thinking to evaluate agricultural and food systems alternative.

Students also spend 4 hours each week working at a local, small-scale farm in Knox County where they learn hands-on agricultural skills and participate in day-to-day farm life. This community-engaged course is supported by Kenyon's Office of Community Partnerships.
Courses taught prior to 2023:
  • Entomological Topics Colloquium, University of Maryland, Fall 2021
  • Ecological Concepts & Applications Lab, University of Michigan, School for Environment and Sustainability, Fall 2017 & 2018
  • Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Michigan, School for Environment and Sustainability, Winter 2017
  • Ecological Issues discussion section, University of Michigan, Program in the Environment, Winter 2016
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