This course will explore the impacts of classical ideas on current thinking, and will also cover emerging theories and trends. Topics will include (for example) community assembly rules, group selection, null models, the origins and maintenance of diversity, spatial ecology, community genetics, ecological stoichiometry, community metabolic models, spatial insurance, unified theories of biodiversity, and criticality and disturbance in ecological systems. The course structure will be weekly seminars based on assigned readings with each student responsible for presenting the material and guiding discussion. (sem 3) cr 3.