Mississippi River Basin: Past, Present, and Future

4 units

Interdisciplinary study of the past, present, and future of the Mississippi River Basin. Using lectures, guest presentations, and field trips, the course provides a broad overview of the important natural, historical, social, cultural, and environmental issues surrounding the Mississippi River and its tributaries. We encourage an understanding and appreciation of the river from a holistic perspective. An emphasis in the course is on experiential learning, or out-of classroom field trips, where students have the opportunity to see, firsthand, important issues related to the Mississippi River, its environment, culture, and the historic changes wrought upon the River, and their effects. The class meets once a week; classes will include some combination of lecture, presentations by guest speakers, or field trips. During Spring break we will take a field trip down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico (students will be charged an extra fee for this field trip).