Course requirements
The requirements of the minor are Environmental Studies 200 and one course from each of the three divisions that has been approved by the curriculum committee, plus any two other courses from the list. A student shall count no more than one course in his/her major towards the Environmental Studies minor.
Learning goals:
The completion of a minor in environmental studies should enable students to:
- analyze and understand environmental issues from the perspectives of the natural sciences, social sciences, and
humanities. - synthesize and apply fundamental concepts from various disciplines to environmental issues.
- effectively formulate and evaluate solutions to environmental issues informed by relevant scientific information, political, economic, and social conditions, and ethical perspectives.
- communicate in an effective, creative, and thoughtful manner to diverse audiences regarding environmental issues and solutions.
Environmental Analysis and Action (E.S. 200)
This course,required for the environmental studies minor, would most likely be taken during the sophomore year. Prerequisites for the course are at least one science course from the approved list, and one course from the list in either social sciences or humanities. It will be team-taught by a faculty member from the natural sciences and one from either the social sciences or humanities. Taking a close examination of at least one global and one local environmental issue, the course will encourage students to recognize the ways in which different disciplinary perspectives contribute to an understanding of the problem and its possible solutions.
Environmental Studies 407, 408: Internship
In consultation with a faculty member associated with the program, students may arrange academic credit for supervised work in an applied setting that is relevant to topics in environmental studies. Placement may be on- or off-campus. Examples of on-campus internships might include work through the physical plant, exploring energy use on campus; through campus grounds, investigating aspects of campus plantings and land use; or through hospitality services, examining ways to promote local foods, reduce energy use, reduce food waste, or develop a composting program. In addition to the work, an internship will include an appropriate set of academic readings and written assignments, developed in consultation with the supervising faculty member, that will allow the student to reflect critically on his or her experience. Prior consultation with the faculty member and permission of the chair of environmental studies are required. One-half to one credit, depending on amount of work involved. No more than one credit's worth of internship will count toward the requirements for the minor. Annually. Fall and Spring.
Approved E.S. courses in other departments:
Currently offered courses in other departments that are eligible for credit toward the e.s. minor:
Natural science
Biology: *100-xx Human Ecology. Annually.
*200 Foundations of biology. Taught every semester.
202 Gateway to Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal biology. Annually.
350 Population and Community Ecology. Annually.
352 Behavioral Ecology. Prereq: 202. Annually.
356 Conservation Biology. Alternate years.
Chemistry 216 Environmental Chemistry. Prereq: Chem 112. Alternate years.
Geology: *105 Geology of Natural Hazards. Taught every semester.
*110 Environmental Geology. Taught every semester.
210 Climate Change. Prereq: 100-level Geology course. Annually.
Social science
Economics 240 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics. Prereq: 101. Alternate years.
Political science: *202 Environmental Policy. Alternate years.
Psychology: 225 Environmental Psychology. Prereq: 100-level Psychology course, but waived for e.s. minors. Alternate years.
Humanities
English *160-xx Non-fictional Writing: Nature Writing. Annually.
Philosophy: *216 Environmental Ethics. Alternate years.
Religious Studies: *269-xx Topics in the Study of Religion: Environment. Alternate years.
*Courses with an asterisk have no prerequisite.
Note that courses followed by “xx” have multiple sections, not all of which are eligible for e.s. credit.
