This one-semester course is structured to address a series of central themes relating to an understanding of concerns about the global environment. For each, a specific environmental issue is highlighted and a case study or case studies is used to demonstrate the nature of the theme and its broad relevance to an understanding of the global situation. A principal goal of the course is to enhance students' appreciation for an understanding of the state of the world environment and of the challenges and priorities for action to address such issues at a global scale.