Overview lecture on Macroecology

This is a lecture intended to give a broad overview of the history, approach, methods, current focus and future of macroecology. It is intended for a 2 hour lecture where time is given to discuss openly the various patterns, have the student propose hypotheses, and to engage debate in the class over the patterns, methods, and approaches of macroecology. This is not an all encompassing lecture - there are clearly areas left out and issues not brought up. It does reflect my bias in working closely with Prof. Jim Brown as well as being emersed in the Brown lab and the 'New Mexico school' of Macroecology.  My apologies if I may have left out a crtical reference or topic area. Hopefully this is useful to others in terms of introducing some of the directions and excitement of macroecology but also can provide a basis for elaboration and departure . . .