This course provides a broad perspective of what wilderness is and how the idea developed, and exposes the student to some of the differing values, ethics, and expectations of wilderness held by society. It offers an account of the origins of the wilderness idea, tracing the beginnings of the conservation movement from the Greek philosophers to today. In this course you will examine the early history of wilderness preservation that ultimately led to federal protection in the Wilderness Act and subsequent legislation, including how each agency applies these laws. An excellent course for managers and students interested in obtaining a firm academic foundation in wilderness philosophy and ethics.
This course is available for graduate credit only. It is the student’s responsibility to verify the transferability of courses to their degree-granting institution and intended major.
This course is part of the Wilderness Management Distance Education Program. Courses are offered in two formats: online and traditional distance education (correspondence). WMDEP offers accredited university courses for a comprehensive study of wilderness management. WMDEP is a valuable tool for understanding the wilderness resource and the issues surrounding its management-includes topics from philosophy and ecology to recreation and planning.