Tania M. Schusler (PhD)
Adjunct Faculty, ES PhD ProgramDepartment of Environmental Studies
Courses I Teach
Citizen Participation & Sustainable Communities (formerly Social Aspects of Conservation & Development)
Environmental issues feature scientific uncertainty and complexity, as well as diverse stakeholder values. As conservationists, resource managers, educators and advocates, how can we effectively engage citizens in the process of creating environmentally healthy, culturally rich, and economically strong communities though collective decision-making and actions? This course combines theory and practice to increase students' understanding of sustainable community development; citizen participation; collaboration; scientific, local, practical and indigenous knowledge; and analytic-deliberative processes. U.S. and international case studies in conservation, sustainability and community education are used to illustrate and critique theoretical concepts. Students will develop practical skills in specific methods of stakeholder engagement. Syllabus
Dissertation Seminar
This year long seminar is designed to provide support and consultation for students in the process of carrying out their doctoral dissertation research. Topics to be addressed during the year include: ongoing evaluation and assessment of research methods, research ethics, dilemmas of working in the field, analysis, writing the dissertation, making formal presentations, dissemination of research results, and transformations you experience in your growth as a scholar. Students along with the instructors are intended to serve as a peer community, providing support, advice and critique. Syllabus
Environmental Education & the Built Environment
From homes, workplaces and schools to towns and cities, the design of our built environment impacts human health, community well-being, social equity, economies and environmental sustainability. This course will: (a) examine the historical and policy context of modern design and planning practice, (b) explore more sustainable design approaches, such as natural and green building, smart growth, low-impact development, native landscaping, urban agriculture, and healthy transportation, (c) consider educational strategies for various audiences involved in design and planning decisions (e.g., residents, planning board members, architects, contractors, youth), and (d) focus on participatory engagement methods for creative and inclusive community planning. Syllabus
Political Economy & Sustainability (formerly Political Economy of Environmental Issues)
Political economy seeks to explain how political institutions, the economic system, applied sciences, and social movements interact over time. This course will focus on how these dynamics generate varied outcomes in relation to the goals of sustainability, justice, and economic well-being. Students will examine the political and economic roots of the global sustainability crisis. Students will assess political and economic reforms, policy processes, and policy tools that might yield better outcomes. Students will also develop a greater understanding of possible action strategies from within civil society, the business sector, government, and/or international bodies for creating a transition toward a more sustainable society. Syllabus
Research Strategy II (Qualitative Research Methods)
Qualitative inquiry has unique capacity to describe social behavior and process, uncover causal linkages, interpret meaning and significance, and build robust, empirical theory. Doing qualitative research involves more than mastering technical aspects of methods. It also requires grounding methodological decisions in a theoretical perspective and considering the ethical and political dimensions of doing research with others in social settings. This course offers an introduction to qualitative inquiry as it applies to environmental studies and related phenomena. It explores the philosophical underpinnings of particular traditions (e.g., ethnography, grounded theory) and builds practical competence with specific research skills (e.g., interviews, observation, field notes, analysis). Syllabus
Sustainability in the Land of the Maya (Field Study Trip)
This Field Study Trip to Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula will examine the influence of some environmental, social, political, cultural and economic factors in the rise and fall of the ancient Maya and use this same analytical framework to evaluate current models of economic development and environmental conservation. The course will address the core questions: How does the current model of development in the Yucatán peninsula take into account, or fail to, lessons from the ancient Maya? What are the prospects for long-term sustainability? Students will explore topics including ancient Mayan agriculture, water management, culture, conflict and trade; coastal ecology, mangroves and wetlands; tropical dry forest ecology; karst geology; climate; colonialism; land tenure; protected areas management; ecological monitoring; community forestry; conservation planning; and tourism. Among other sites, we will visit the Sian Ka’an and Calakmul Biosphere Reserves, Mayan ruins (e.g., Tulúm, Uxmal, Chichen Itzá), and the colonial city of Mérida. We will be joined by guest lecturer Dr. Ernesto Ruelas Inzunza, a biologist and former conservation practitioner in Mexico. Syllabus
At other institutions, I have taught “Watersheds as Socio-Ecological Systems” and “Environmental Conservation.” I have also designed, implemented, and evaluated non-formal educational programs on a range of topics (e.g., habitat restoration, water resources, waste reduction, green building, renewable energy) as volunteer coordinator for the Wisconsin Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and as environmental issues educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County (NY).
