Dr. LaFevor began his teaching career as an ESL and software instructor. He later taught Spanish and English Literature and a variety of natural science courses. At the University of Texas at Austin he designed and taught Conservation 306C, which drew heavily on the history of environmental thinking in the United States. During his postdoctoral work at the University of Maryland he co-designed and taught Socio-Environmental Synthesis and Sustainability Research, a graduate level course focused on integration of social and natural sciences. Now, he teaches much of the course as Environment and Society at the University of Alabama. Below is a complete list of prepared courses.
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GY500: Geographical Research Methods & Traditions
This course focuses on the formal study of Geography and how it has developed. The first half of the course examines the rich, global history of the field, situating geography within the history of thought and experience. The second half focuses on American geographical traditions, research methods, and contemporary issues. Here, we examine diverse geographical approaches, ontologies, epistemologies, and formats, defining each as it relates to the spaces and places of human-environment interaction. The course also examines current research methods, publication strategies, and continuing careers. The course is designed for graduate students.
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GY445: Agriculture: Environment and DevelopmentThis course examines how people creatively use the biophysical environment to grow domesticated plants (crops). Here we focus on farming techniques and agricultural systems that are less dependent on fossil fuels, chemical fertilizers, or other external inputs. Often, these techniques and systems develop indigenously and are more environmentally sustainable than conventional farming methods. The course is designed for students interested in the spatial and environmental complexities of how people produce food in times past and present. It is offered at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
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GY453/553: Environment and Society
This course examines social and environmental attributes of “wicked” problems, which are those problems that seldom have straightforward solutions. Students are introduced to the theory and practice of socio-environmental synthesis (SES) as a tool for making environmental policy and decisions. Because social problems often have environmental components, and environmental problems often have social components, a synthetic, integrative approach to problem solving is critical. The course is designed to bring together students from across the social and natural sciences to work on problems that affect us all. It is designed for both undergraduate and graduate students.
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GY345: Geography of Latin AmericaThis course introduces students to the human-environment landscapes south of the United States. The course breaks the area into regions and sub-regions, and examines them for their: 1) biophysical (natural) characteristics, 2) social characteristics, and the 3) constantly developing characteristics of human-environment interactions. The course is designed for undergraduate students curious about the lands and people that make up the dynamic human-environment landscapes of Latin America.
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GY105: World Regional Geography
This course takes students on a journey around the world, region by region, exploring how humans interact with the surface of the earth and with each other. Students learn about the conceptual frameworks and organizing principles of the field of Geography -- the concepts of space and place, location, cartographic representation, distance, human and biophysical expression, movement, and scale. We also touch upon the social, political, economic, and cultural aspects of geographic regions, which are constantly in flux. Focusing on regional distinctions helps us organize the relationships between people and the biophysical world into a more manageable whole. This course is designed for undergraduates.
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