How Screwed Is the Earth? Let Me Count the Ways: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Environmental Problems
Simpson Colloquium 101
How looming is the planet’s inability to support human life? What is the relationship between people and their environment? What should it be? Biologists answer (and ask) these questions differently than sociologists, literary critics, artists, philosophers and politicians. This course will look at contemporary environmental issues from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. The goals of this class are to gain an understanding of modern environmental issues and to learn how different academic disciplines approach and solve problems. The class will interview disciplinary professionals to gain insight into how they perceive and solve environmental problems specific to their field. Ultimately the class will attempt to define and solve a local environmental issue.
Meet Your Professor
Daryl Sasser, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of History
I teach history courses on the environment, the United States and Western civilization. I live in Madison county and am trying to grow a tall-grass prairie. I read a lot and fish a bit. I listen to Bruce Springsteen and Lucinda Williams. I hope one day to read Marcel Proust, catch a muskie, and learn to play the mandolin.
Meet Your Simpson Colloquium Leader
Alisin Graves
Hello! My name is Alison Graves. I grew up in Coal Valley, Illinois. I have two younger brothers and an adorable pet turtle named Links. I will be a junior in the fall and I absolutely love it here at Simpson! I plan to graduate in May 2015 with a French Major, Secondary Education Minor and an endorsement in History.
I am a very outgoing person and I love to meet new people. I am a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority and Alpha Lambda Delta honors society. Classes, homework, work study and Pi Phi keep me pretty busy but in my down time I love to read, craft, watch movies and spend lots of time with my friends.
This is my second year as a Simpson Colloquium Leader. If you have any questions or need anything, I am on Facebook, Twitter, and of course, email. Don’t hesitate to contact me (students and parents alike!) I would love to get to know each of you. I look forward to meeting you in June!
Meet Your Writing Fellow
Audrey Winterhoef
I’m Audrey Winterhof and I’ll be your writing fellow this fall. My job is to help you with papers and assignments in the SC class, but I also work with the DL and the class professor to make sure everyone’s transition to college life isn’t too crazy.
Originally, I’m from Aurelia, Iowa in the northwest corner of the state on a beautiful farm in the country. I attended Aurelia High School where I participated in Speech, Band, Jazz Band, Basketball, Volleyball, Softball, Track, FCCLA, 4-H and more!
At Simpson I’m a sophomore (to be junior) with a major in Psychology and a minor in Social Work. I’m also a member of the symphonic band, S.A.R.A, ALD and the vice president of the psychology club. If I ever have down time, I usually spend it just hanging out with friends or taking a nap 
If you have any questions, I’m here to answer them, so don’t hesitate to ask! I am willing to help in anyway I can to make your life and transition a little less stressful.