Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Hi! My name is Taryn. You can read more about me and my teaching philosophy at my PCC webpage. 

ESR 171 is an introduction to environmental science and is designed to provide an understanding of environmental topics that are primarily biological in nature including ecosystems, food production, population growth, urbanization, conservation, and restoration. One of the best parts about environmental science is that YOU already know A LOT about it! The topics that we will talk about are ones that you already encounter in your everyday life. We will look into questions that are relevant to our current life as well as questions that will likely impact us in the future. How do the ways that we produce food impact the environment and our health? How are organisms adapting with the many environmental changes they are currently facing? How can we restore ecosystems to return their integrity?

In this course, we will use an equity lens to discuss the intersectionality of these environmental issues with human health and social justice. We will consider environmental issues from diverse perspectives and use varied knowledge sources to examine the relationship between culture and science. In this course we will discuss many different environmental problems, but we will also investigate solutions and ways to make positive change in our communities and beyond! 

This course is primarily for non-STEM majors, and counts towards the General Education requirements for a science lecture/lab course. If you are considering a major in ESR, ESR 200 would be a great intro-level course for you. This is a perfect class for anyone who has an interest in our environment! It also counts toward the PCC Sustainability Focus Award. 

Our labs will include field trips and field work. If this sounds like it could be a barrier- wait! We want this class to be accessible to everyone, and the college and I will work together to make accommodations (like accessible field equipment, locations, and more). If you have anything that could limit you from field trips, please reach out and let’s chat.

This class will be a hybrid format with class times on Tuesdays from 1-3:50 and Thursdays from 1- 3:50. On Tuesdays we will meet synchronously via Zoom. I hope that everyone can attend all Zoom sessions, however, they will be recorded to increase accessibility.

Breakout group discussions will be offered and are highly encouraged, but not required. Using cameras and microphones to ask questions and join class conversations is encouraged, but not mandatory. I love to see your faces and engage with you, but I want you to learn in whatever way feels best for you! I am trying to make this class as accessible as possible and will offer flexible due dates and a variety of content and ways of engaging with the material.

On Thursdays we will be meeting in-person either on campus or at an off-campus location for a field trip. Field trip locations and days have not yet been determined, but I will try to make locations accessible via public transportation.You are also able to organize carpools with classmates as well! If you would like information on the labs and field trips that I am planning, please send me an email! 

One of my main focuses right now is creating a space that feels inclusive for everyone. I know that each of you comes to my class with a unique history and prior life experience. I hope you will feel comfortable sharing your personal knowledge with me and with the class so that we can all learn together. We are all experts of our own experience! I have been teaching at PCC for many years and I have an immense amount of gratitude for all of the knowledge that I have gained from my students over this time. It’s one of the many reasons I love teaching. 

Still curious? Here is the syllabus from Winter 2025: ESR 171 Winter 2025. The fall 2025 term version will not be exactly the same, but please take a look to get a better idea of what to expect.

Please email me at taryn.oakley@pcc.edu if you have any questions or would like more information about the class!