This monograph, is a compendium of the individual works of eight students enrolled in a cross-listed course NR 545 (EIH 575). The focus of this course, like prior years, is captured in its title "Population-Environment Dynamics: Toward Building a Theory". The course began with an examination of alternative theoretical constructs useful in studying the interaction between human populations and the environment. Also, at the beginning of the course, each participant was asked to select a topic of inquiry and a geographical setting for their study. This selection then became their major focus for the entire semester.

Students participating formally in the course this fall had a delightful mixture of backgrounds and interests. Schools and colleges represented included the School of Natural Resources and Environment, School of Public Health, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, and College of Literature Sciences and Arts. In addition to the formally enrolled students, others sat in from time to time, including participants from previous year’s seminars. Disciplines and areas of interest represented included area studies, economics, sociology, architecture, urban planning, public health, and natural resources. Participants in this year’s seminar included colleagues from the Continents of North America, Europe, and Asia.

A very important element in the seminar was the use of data sources that recently have become available in machine-readable form. These data sources permitted the students to quickly gain experience in handling longitudinal datasets, especially those that were not amenable to modeling with linear functions. The most useful and user-friendly dataset provided participants was The World Resources Institute Data System (1996-97). Another tool used in the course was state-of-the-art PC-based Geographic Information Systems. The GIS package selected as most helpful this year, was Atlas GIS version 3.03. Extensive use also was made of information from the Digital Chart of the World. Another device used this semester for the second time was the simulation software, Stella 5. A doctoral student, Rhonda Ryznar, provided a brief and concise introduction to this tool that included examples. Two students then chose to include its use in their individual papers. This year’s seminar also saw a heightened use of data and documents coming directly from the World Wide Web. In one instance, the student’s project could not have been carried out without this new source of readily available data. Prior to the publication of the monograph outside reviewers provide feedback on several of the chapters. Papers included in this monograph all had completed this review process by the time of publication. Remaining papers will be published at a later date. Dr. Sandra Lach Arlinghaus, Adjunct Professor in The School of Natural Resources and Environment, co-taught the course, as she has in previous years.

The success of the course resulted largely from the enthusiasm of the participants. As in previous years, extra sessions were held near the end of the semester, which often extended beyond scheduled meeting times. Feedback from fellow participants was provided in these sessions. In addition, each student was asked to develop a brief synopsis of how their study related to the other participants in the class. These thoughtful remarks are presented as the main body of the concluding chapter. This monograph was published during the winter term in the academic year 1997-98.