This introductory course will integrate concepts and material from several disciplines to analyze and evaluate current environmental problems, study specific pollutants, and evaluate consequences of their continued production. A modern and holistic approach is designed to meet both the needs of non-majors with a serious concern about environmental issues and the needs of students who intend to pursue career objectives in environmental science or ecology.
Natural Science Core course.
Environmental policy courses will integrate the principles of ethical reasoning and the study of environmental law and policy. This will include a survey of environmental law in the United States, and international environmental law. Students will learn to apply their understanding of environmental law to contemporary environmental issues, and to propose new policies or adjustments to policies that address environmental concerns.
Since our environment is not just the physical environment but the culture that shapes both the environment and the way we view it, this course will introduce students to new ways of examining the culture and environment around us. This course will examine the relationship between culture and environment, analyze the ways culture and environment influence one another, and evaluate different cultural approaches to understanding our environment and our place in it.
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to fundamental principles and concepts behind the use and application of geographic information systems (GIS). Students will learn how to think spatially, become familiar with information technology, and learn how to conduct data analysis with GIS. Key concepts and ideas are reinforced through assignments, activities, and construction of a GIS portfolio.
The senior thesis should involve both depth of study and critical engagement with the relationships between humans and the environment. The thesis should also demonstrate an understanding of the complexity of these relationships by engaging culture, history, and society; ethics and policy; and science. The thesis may be directly connected to ENST 401, and should result in a scholarly work that could be published presented in a research symposium, or shown in a demonstration appropriate to the field of study. This might mean a scientific research project and poster presentation, a collection of environmental poetry a senior research thesis, a theatrical production of an environmentally-themed play, a show of environmentally-informed visual art, a performance of an environmentally-inspired piece of music, etc.
This practicum might be a relevant internship, a study abroad or away course or an independent study of a particular place that involves direct engagement with the relationships between humans and the environment.
Internships might be with environmentally-engaged landscape or architecture firms, with local government agencies, non-profit groups, international organizations, and/or businesses just to name a few. See the Student Success Center or the Director of the Environmental Studies major for location ideas.
Study abroad component should include significant engagement with environmental concerns in the place of study. See the IPO office and/or the Director of the Environmental Studies major for location ideas.
Independent study courses should be include research or projects. See the Director of the Environmental Studies major for ideas.