Sustainability and Environmental Studies Program (ENV)

+ENV 101 Cr.3

Introduction to Sustainability and Environmental Studies

This interdisciplinary, introductory seminar explores current sustainability and environmental issues from a variety of perspectives (historical, social, and scientific) and disciplines (humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences). Attitudes toward the natural world and approaches to public and private decision-making are examined in terms of environmental justice issues. Field trips are taken to examine local and regional practices and issues. Offered Fall, Spring.

ENV 301 Cr.3

Environmental Sustainability

What can we do as individuals and as a society to meet our own needs without harming future generations? This seminar course approaches sustainability as a way of asking better questions, drawing from many academic disciplines and practical experiences. Students will discuss environmental sustainability for multiple scales, including personal lifestyles, organizations, businesses, and public infrastructure systems. Prerequisite: ENV 101 or ENV 201. Offered Fall, Spring.

ENV 303 Cr.3

Topics in Environmental Studies

This fully interdisciplinary seminar provides the opportunity to explore how scientific, historical, political, and ethical issues are interrelated in a specific environmental topic. Complexity of social-ecological systems is inherent in each pressing environmental issue. Course topics could include food, bicycle politics, environmental activism, and forest management. Repeatable for credit - maximum six. Prerequisite: ENV 101 or ENV 201. Offered Fall, Spring.

ENV 304 Cr.3

Topics in Environmental Justice

Environmental inequalities for poor and minority populations are increasingly recognized by media, environmental leaders, and organizations around the world. As we study relationships between humans and the environment, we highlight attempts to rectify these uneven circumstances. Themes of the topic courses could include food justice, conservation and access to natural areas, dynamics within environmental organizations, history of the environmental justice movement, and sustainability. Repeatable for credit - maximum six. Prerequisite: ENV 101 or ENV 201. Offered Annually.

ENV 450 Cr.1-3

Internship in Environmental Studies

Direct work experience with an agency or organization that deals with environmental issues or problems from an interdisciplinary perspective. The student works under supervision of both faculty adviser and agency staff member. Examples of sites include governmental agencies, advocacy groups, environmental education centers, alternative technologies companies, and environmental compliance divisions of corporations. All internships must be approved in the semester prior to the semester that the internship occurs. Repeatable for credit - maximum three. Prerequisite: ENV 201; declared environmental studies minor. Consent of internship coordinator. Consent of instructor. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

ENV 496 Cr.3

Environmental Studies Capstone

As a culmination of the environmental studies minor, this course has two main purposes. The first is to take action locally on an environmental service learning project. Action in the community builds professional skills, offers networking, and solidifies student interests. The second purpose is to help students clarify personal and career goals that are based on their environmental philosophy. Hearing from recent graduates and professionals in environmental fields provides students with a wide variety of perspectives and ideas as they consider their future decisions. Prerequisite: ENV 303; ENV 301 or ENV 304 or SOC 328 or SOC 332; six credits from the natural sciences electives, social sciences electives, or arts and humanities electives. Offered Fall, Spring.

ENV 499 Cr.1-3

Independent Study in Environmental Studies

Under supervision of instructor, individualized study in environmental studies on issues/topics not available in existing courses. All independent studies must be approved in the semester prior to the semester that the independent study occurs. Repeatable for credit - maximum three. Departmental option for pass/fail grading. Prerequisite: ENV 101 or ENV 201; declared environmental studies minor. Consent of environmental studies director. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer.