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Western American Studies Course Short List Fall 2025

The following courses are acceptable for credit toward the certificate in Fall 2025. 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 at��ryan.lueck@colorado.edu. For more info about Center of the American West programs and events, visit��/center/west/.

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

CAMW 2001 The American West (introductory course)��

TTh 11am-12:15pm, Hellems Arts and Sciences Bldg E1B30, Inst. Jason Schaefer: �鶹��Ժ tour the cultural, social, and natural features of the American West, based on readings and presentations by guest speakers from the CU 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 approval����

Center of the American West Optional Courses��

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

2 Sections:��MW 3:35-4:50pm, Benson Earth Sciences Bldg 185, Inst. TBD: 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.

Meets Online, 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 Economics

MWF 2:30-3:20pm, Miramontes Baca Education Bldg 156, Inst: TBA: 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 3545 Environmental Economics

MWF 9:05-9:55am, Miramontes Baca Education Bldg 157, Inst: TBA: 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��.

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Environmental Studies

ENVS 3140 Environmental Ethics (Same as PHIL 3140)

6 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��.

Section 001 (Meets with PHIL 3140 Section 001): MWF 9:05-9:55am, Muenzinger Psyc and Biopsych E431, Inst: Tim Burkhardt.��

Section 002 (Meets with PHIL 3140 Section 002): TTh 12:30-1:45pm, University Club 13, Inst: David Youkey

Section 003 (Meets with PHIL 3140 Section 003): Meets Online, Inst: Merily Salura

Section 004 (Meets with PHIL 3140 Section 004): TTh 1:00-2:15pm, Sustain Energy and Environ Cmplx N124, Inst: Carrie Vodehnal

Section 005 (Meets with PHIL 3140 Section 005): MW 4:05-5:20pm, Aerospace Engineering Sciences 111, Inst: Benjamin Hale

Section 006 (Meets with PHIL 3140 Section 006): Meets Online, Inst: Haley Gill

ENVS 3070: Energy and the Environment (Same as PHYS 3070)

MWF 11:15am-12:05pm, Duane Physics G130, Inst: Joseph Berry: Examines 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. Includes some basic physical concepts and principles that often constrain choices. No background in physics is required. Same as��.

American Indian Studies (Ethnic Studies)

ETHN / CINE 2203 American Indians in Film (Same as CINE 2203)

TTh 11:00am-12:15pm, Roser Atlas Center 1B29, Recitation W 7:00-9:50pm, Inst: Angelica Lawson: Surveys representations of American Indians in American (especially Hollywood) film with an emphasis on "revisionist," or “breakthrough” films. It follows the creation of "the Hollywood Indian" from early literature to contemporary motion pictures. Films are analyzed within historical, social, and artistic contexts, and examined in terms of the impact their images have exerted upon American society at large, as well as Native communities. Near the end of the course we will look at what happens when Native Americans write, direct, and act in independent films or streaming television series. Same as��.

ETHN 2703 American Indian Religious Traditions (same as RLST 2700)

Section 010 (Meets with RLST 2700): MW 11:15am-12:05pm, Muenzinger Psyc and Biopsych E0046, Inst: Natalie Avalos: Studies the religious lifeways of diverse Indigenous peoples in North America. The course considers how these religious lifeways facilitate healing, movements of social protest, and efforts for self-determination in response to ongoing forms of colonialism. �鶹��Ժ will critically explore the impact of colonial structures on Native American religious traditions, such as missionization, and evaluate the meaning of decolonization as both a pathway and goal supporting Native liberation. Same as��.

�鶹��Ժ Must also register for one of the following sections of recitation:

Section 011 (Meets with RLST 2700): W 1:25-2:15pm, Clare Small Arts and Sciences 209, Inst: TBA

Section 012 (Meets with RLST 2700): W 2:30-3:20pm, Stadium Building 135, Inst: TBA

Section 013 (Meets with RLST 2700): Th 2:30-3:20pm, Economics Bldg 205, Inst: TBA

ETHN 3213 American Indian Women (same as WMST 3210)

TTh 3:30-4:45pm, Visual Arts Complex 1B88, Inst: Kelsey John: Explores the experiences, perspectives, and status of American Indian women in historical and contemporary contexts. Examines representations of Indigenous women in mainstream culture. Emphasizes the agency of American Indian women-their persistence, creativity, and activism, especially in maintaining Indigenous traditions. Recommended prerequisite:�� �ǰ��� �ǰ��� �ǰ���. Same as��.

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Chicano Studies (Ethnic Studies)

ETHN 2536 Chicano History and Culture (same as HIST 2537)

Meets Online, Inst: Jessica Ordaz: Through historical and social scientific studies, novels, autobiographies, testimonies, films, music, and art, this course will provide students a survey of Chicana/o history and culture. Historical overviews of Chicana/o peoples from Mesoamerica; the Spanish Conquest; the historical presence of Chicana/o peoples in the Southwest; the rise of the Chicana/o student and community movements; immigration issues; and the gender, sexuality, and criminalization issues.

ETHN 2746: Introduction to Chicana/o/x Literature (same as ETHN 2746)��

Meets Online, Inst: Rebecca Avalos: This class explores the diverse and vibrant writings of Chicana/o/x authors from today back through a time when places like Colorado and California were part of Mexico. Readings consider how Chicana/o/x authors have used concepts such as Greater Mexico, Aztlán, la frontera, and Chicanidad to question intersections of language, race, class, gender, sexuality, indigeneity, nation, violence, and empire. Same as��.

Geography

GEOG 3251 Mountain Geography

3 Sections:�� Surveys mountain environments and their human use with illustrations from temperate and tropical mountain areas.

Section 001: TTh 12:30-1:45pm, Hellems Arts and Sciences Bldg E1B10, Inst: Gretchen Lang

Section 581: Meets Online, Inst: Margaret White

Section 582: Meets Online, Inst: Margaret White

GEOG 4321 Snow Hydrology

TTh 12:30-1:45pm, Hellems Arts and Sciences Bldg E1B30, Inst: Noah Molotch: Offers a multidisciplinary and quantitative analysis of physico-chemical processes that operate in seasonally snow-covered areas, from the micro- to global-scale: snow accumulation, metamorphism, ablation, chemical properties, biological aspects, electromagnetic properties, remote sensing, GIS and quantitative methods. Same as��.

Required Lab: T 8:00-9:50am Guggenheim Geography Bldg 6, Inst: TBA

Political Science

PSCI 3206 The Environment and Public Policy����

MWF 10:10-11am, Center Acad Success and Engagement E240, 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:�� �ǰ���.

PSCI 4131 Latinos and U.S. Political System (same as ETHN 4136)

TTh 9:30-10:45am, Eaton Humanities Bldg 1B90, Inst: Michelangelo Langrave: Examines the political status and activities of Mexican Americans and other Latino groups (Cuban Americans and Puerto Ricans) in the U.S. Also covers Latino political attitudes and behaviors; Latino efforts to influence the major national, state, and local institutions of the American government; and public policy concerns of Latinos. Recommended prerequisite:��.

Humanities (3 credit hours required)

Art and Art History

ARTS 3004/4004 Land and Environmental Art��

MW 1:00-3:30pm, Visual Arts Complex 277, Inst: Richard Saxton: Covers land and environmental art, providing an historical survey along with hands on projects in the landscape. Focusing on themes of site, environment, landforms, weather and earth materials, students will design and realize art projects on the land. Includes lectures, readings and discussions, writing assignments, studio projects and visual presentations. Recommended prerequisites:�� and��.

English

ENGL 1800 American Ethnic Literature (same as ETHN 1800)

2 Sections: �鶹��Ժ will learn how writings by African American, Native American and Indigenous, Chicana/o/x, Latina/o/x, Asian American, and/or Arab American authors are central to the US literary tradition. The class explores the significance of ethnic US literatures and cultures through short stories, novels, plays, films, and more.

MWF 9:05-9:55am, Hellems Arts and Sciences Bldg N160, Inst: TBA

MWF 10:10-11am, Cristol Chem and Biochem Bldg 145, Inst: TBA

Film / Cinema Studies��

CINE / ETHN 2203 American Indians in Film��

TTh 11:00am-12:15pm, Roser Atlas Center 1B29, Recitation W 7:00-9:50pm, Inst: Angelica Lawson: Surveys representations of American Indians in American (especially Hollywood) film with an emphasis on "revisionist," or “breakthrough” films. It follows the creation of "the Hollywood Indian" from early literature to contemporary motion pictures. Films are analyzed within historical, social, and artistic contexts, and examined in terms of the impact their images have exerted upon American society at large, as well as Native communities. Near the end of the course we will look at what happens when Native Americans write, direct, and act in independent films or streaming television series. Same as��.

History

HIST 4416 Environmental History of North America

MWF 11:15am-12:05pm, Hellems Arts and Sciences Bldg E160, Inst: Phoebe Young: Examines how people of North America, from precolonial times to the present, interact with, altered, and thought about the natural world. Key themes include Native American land uses; colonization and ecological imperialism; environmental impacts of food and agriculture; industrialization, urbanization and pollution; energy transitions; cultures of environmental appreciation; the growth of the conservation and environmental movements.

Philosophy��

PHIL 3140 Environmental Ethics (same as ENVS 3140)

6 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��.

Section 001 (Meets with PHIL 3140 Section 001): MWF 9:05-9:55am, Muenzinger Psyc and Biopsych E431, Inst: Tim Burkhardt.��

Section 002 (Meets with PHIL 3140 Section 002): TTh 12:30-1:45pm, University Club 13, Inst: David Youkey

Section 003 (Meets with PHIL 3140 Section 003): Meets Online, Inst: Merily Salura

Section 004 (Meets with PHIL 3140 Section 004): TTh 1:00-2:15pm, Sustain Energy and Environ Cmplx N124, Inst: Carrie Vodehnal

Section 005 (Meets with PHIL 3140 Section 005): MW 4:05-5:20pm, Aerospace Engineering Sciences 111, Inst: Benjamin Hale

Section 006 (Meets with PHIL 3140 Section 006): Meets Online, Inst: Haley Gill��

Program for Writing and Rhetoric

WRTG 3020 Topics in Writing -��these sections only:��

Don't Fence Me In

4 Sections: 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:�� or equivalent (completion of lower-division writing requirement).

Section 027: MWF 1:25-2:15pm, Center Acad Success and Engagement E220, Inst: TBA

Section 031: MWF 2:30-3:20pm, Center Acad Success and Engagement E220, Inst: TBA

Section 086: TTh 3:30-4:45pm, Engineering Center ECCR 1B08, Inst: Jay Ellis

Section 091: TTh 5:00-6:15pm, Engineering Center ECST 1B21, Inst: Jay Ellis

Myths of the American West

Section 104: Meets Online, Inst: Jaquelin Pelzer

Religious Studies��

RLST 2700 American Indian Religious Traditions (same as ETHN2703)

Section 010 (Meets with RLST 2700): MW 11:15am-12:05pm, Muenzinger Psyc and Biopsych E0046, Inst: Natalie Avalos: Studies the religious lifeways of diverse Indigenous peoples in North America. The course considers how these religious lifeways facilitate healing, movements of social protest, and efforts for self-determination in response to ongoing forms of colonialism. �鶹��Ժ will critically explore the impact of colonial structures on Native American religious traditions, such as missionization, and evaluate the meaning of decolonization as both a pathway and goal supporting Native liberation.��Same as��.

Natural Sciences (3 credit hours required)

Ecology and Environmental Biology��

EBIO 2040 Principles of Ecology (lecture and lab)

Lecture:��TTh 12:30-1:45pm, Eaton Humanities Bldg 150, Inst: Abbey Paulson: 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:�� and�� and�� �ǰ��� and�� and�� and�� (minimum grade C-). Same as�� and��.

Labs:��

Section 11: T 9:00-11:50am, Ketchum Arts and Sciences Bldg 1B14, Inst: Kendi Davies

Section 12: T 2:00-4:50pm, Ketchum Arts and Sciences Bldg 1B14, Inst: Kendi Davies

Section 13: W 9:00-11:50am, Ketchum Arts and Sciences Bldg 1B14, Inst: Kendi Davies

Section 14: W 2:00-4:50pm, Ketchum Arts and Sciences Bldg 1B14, Inst: Kendi Davies

Section 15: M 2:00-4:50pm, Ketchum Arts and Sciences Bldg 1B14, Inst: Kendi Davies

Section 17: T 2:00-4:50pm, Ketchum Arts and Sciences Bldg 1B16, Inst: Kendi Davies

Section 18: W 9:00-11:50am, Ketchum Arts and Sciences Bldg 1B16, Inst: Kendi Davies

Section 19: W 2:00-4:50pm, Ketchum Arts and Sciences Bldg 1B16, Inst: Kendi Davies

EBIO 3040 Conservation Biology (same as ENVS3040)

Lecture:��MW 2:25-3:40pm, Gold Biosciences Building A120, Inst: Etienne Rouby: Applies principles of population ecology, population genetics, biogeography, animal behavior, and paleobiology to the maintenance of biodiversity and natural systems. The resulting theory is then applied to conservation policy and management techniques. Recommended prerequisite:�� �ǰ��� �ǰ��� (minimum grade C-). Same as��.

Recitation:��

Section 021: T 11:00-11:50am, Ramaley Biology Bldg N183, Inst: TBA

Section 022: Th 11:00-11:50am, Ramaley Biology Bldg N183, Inst: TBA

Section 023: F 11:15am-12:05pm, Ramaley Biology Bldg N183, Inst: TBA

Physics

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

MWF 11:15am-12:05pm, Duane Physics G130, Inst: Joseph Berry: Examines 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. Includes some basic physical concepts and principles that often constrain choices. No background in physics is required. Same as��.

Environmental Studies

ENVS 3040 Conservation Biology (same as EBIO3040)

Lecture:��MW 2:25-3:40pm, Gold Biosciences Building A120, Inst: Etienne Rouby: Applies principles of population ecology, population genetics, biogeography, animal behavior, and paleobiology to the maintenance of biodiversity and natural systems. The resulting theory is then applied to conservation policy and management techniques. Recommended prerequisite:�� �ǰ���. Same as��.

Recitations:��

Section 021: T 11:00-11:50am, Ramaley Biology Bldg N183, Inst: TBA

Section 022: Th 11:00-11:50am, Ramaley Biology Bldg N183, Inst: TBA

Section 023: F 11:15am-12:05pm, Ramaley Biology Bldg N183, Inst: TBA

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

MWF 11:15am-12:05pm, Duane Physics G130, Inst: Joseph Berry: Examines 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. Includes some basic physical concepts and principles that often constrain choices. No background in physics is required. Same as��.

ENVS 3140 Environmental Ethics (same as PHIL 3140)

6 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��.

Section 001 (Meets with PHIL 3140 Section 001): MWF 9:05-9:55am, Muenzinger Psyc and Biopsych E431, Inst: Tim Burkhardt.��

Section 002 (Meets with PHIL 3140 Section 002): TTh 12:30-1:45pm, University Club 13, Inst: David Youkey

Section 003 (Meets with PHIL 3140 Section 003): Meets Online, Inst: Merily Salura

Section 004 (Meets with PHIL 3140 Section 004): TTh 1:00-2:15pm, Sustain Energy and Environ Cmplx N124, Inst: Carrie Vodehnal

Section 005 (Meets with PHIL 3140 Section 005): MW 4:05-5:20pm, Aerospace Engineering Sciences 111, Inst: Benjamin Hale

Section 006 (Meets with PHIL 3140 Section 006): Meets Online, Inst: Haley Gill

Geography��

GEOG 1011 Environmental Systems 2: Landscapes and Water

Lectures: In many ways, the Earth is defined by its abundance of water and vigorous hydrologic cycle. This course introduces how floodplains and their associated river systems, river deltas, erosional features such as the Grand Canyon, depositional features such as Cape Cod and Long Island, as well as mountain and even desert landscapes reflect the great power of water in shaping our planet and impacting life on Earth.

Section 010: MWF 1:25-2:15pm, Bruce Curtis Bldg W100, Inst: Taylor Johaneman

Section 581: Meets Online, Inst: Margaret White

Section 582: Meets Online, Inst: Margaret White

Labs:

Section 011: T 9:30-11:20am, Guggenheim Geography Bldg 3, Inst: TBA

Section 012: T 3:00pm-4:50pm, Guggenheim Geography Bldg 3, Inst: TBA

Section 013: W 10:10am-12:00pm, Guggenheim Geography Bldg 3, Inst: TBA

Section 014: Th 8:00-9:50am, Guggenheim Geography Bldg 3, Inst: TBA

Section 015: Th 11:00am-12:50pm, Guggenheim Geography Bldg 3, Inst: TBA

Section 016: F 8:00-9:50am, Guggenheim Geography Bldg 3, Inst: TBA

GEOG 3251 Mountain Geography

TTh 12:30-1:45pm, Hellems Arts and Sciences Bldg E1B10, Inst: Gretchen Lang: Surveys mountain environments and their human use with illustrations from temperate and tropical mountain areas.

GEOG 3601 Principles of Climate��

TTh 12:30-1:45pm, Hellems Arts and Sciences Bldg E160, Inst: Peter Blanken: Describes the basic components of the climate system: the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and lithosphere. Investigates the basic physical processes that determine climate and link the components of the climate system. Covers the hydrological cycle and its role in climate, climate stability and global change. Recommended prerequisites: one semester of calculus and�� �ǰ��� �ǰ��� �ǰ���. Same as�� and��.

Geological Sciences

GEOL 1010��AND GEOL 1030 Exploring Earth AND Intro Geology Lab I

Lecture:��MWF 12:20-1:10pm, Benson Earth Sciences Bldg 180, Inst: TBA: Introductory geology for majors and non-majors. Studies Earth, its materials, its characteristics, its dynamic processes, and how it relates to people. Separate lab () is recommended. Degree credit not granted for both GEOL 1010 and��.

Lab (GEOL 1030):

16 lab sections available, see course availability here:��

GEOL 1012��AND��GEOL 1030 Exploring Earth for Scientists AND Intro Geology Lab I)

Lecture:

TTh 2:00-3:15pm, Benson Earth Sciences Bldg 185, Inst: Gregory Tucker: 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. Like��, but taught at a higher intellectual level with a greater amount of quantitative analysis. Separate lab () is recommended. Degree credit not granted for both�� and GEOL 1012.

Lab (GEOL 1030):

16 lab sections available, see course availability here:��

GEOL 1020��AND GEOL 1030 (Dodos, Dinos, and Deinococcus: The History of a Habitable Planet AND Intro to Geology Lab I)

Lecture:

MWF 2:30-3:20pm, Benson Earth Sciences Bldg 180, Inst: Sebastian Kopf: Examines 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.

Lab (GEOL 1030):

16 lab sections available, see course availability here:��

GEOL 1040 Geology of Colorado

MWF 10:10-11:00am, Benson Earth Sciences Bldg 180, Inst: Kevin Mahan: 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.