This course will largely utilize a coupled natural-human (or social-ecological) systems approach to understanding human-wildlife interactions and contemporary wildlife conservation issues from local to global scales. Topics include measuring and evaluating tradeoffs in ecosystem services (including cultural and relational services) and disservices of wildlife; balancing multiple expectations and priorities among diverse stakeholder groups; ethical implications of species eradication, rewilding and de-extinction; institutional fit and adaptive management. For the first part of the class we will focus on the theoretical underpinnings of coupled systems. For the latter part we will utilize real data and introduce methods for integration of disparate, interdisciplinary datasets. A main goal is to help students engage in creative problem solving in a way that cross-cuts and transcends traditionally isolated disciplines. The course will train graduate students to take an interdisciplinary approach to critically analyze wildlife conservation issues occurring around the globe.

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