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Environmental Sustainability, Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Sustainability is distinguished by a sustainability framework for resolving environmental problems. Students will apply both scientific and nonscientific knowledge to analyze pervasive environmental problems.

Features of this major include:

  • An orientation toward service learning and experiential learning.
  • An internship (or study-abroad) experience with coursework that is interdisciplinary and project-oriented.
  • A curriculum that is both multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary.
  • Goals and objectives of the major are to:
  • Promote institutional and systemic thinking that uses the systems approach to finding solutions to local to global environmental problems.
  • Develop social leaders who are adept in community organizing, service learning, organization and management.
  • Educate students about environmental policy issues and foster in them an ability to understand and solve complex environmental problems.
  • Cultivate an appreciation of environmental challenges through a framework of sustainability.
  • Use a cross-disciplinary research in the natural and social sciences and humanities to develop a holistic approach to these environmental challenges.

Further, students complete a series of core courses that develop a broad base in the natural and social sciences, as well as the humanities, in order to cultivate a foundation for analyzing the complex environmental problems that challenge our species. The core courses provide a solid foundation across disciplines.

Degree Requirements

Required Courses

ENV 105Foundations of Sustainability

3
ENV 115Intro to Environmental Science I

3
ENV 116Intro to Environmental Science II

4
ENV 224Environmental Law

3
ENV 330Climate Change: Liberal Arts Perspective

3
ENV 355Internship

3
ENV 401Ecological Perspectives Sci/Humanties

3
MAT 115Introductory Statistics

3
 
PHI 121Ethics

3
OR
PHI 220Environmental Ethics

3
 
PS 216Public Policy

3
OR
SOC 227Environmental Sociology

3
OR
SOC 327Environmental Sociology

3

Choose two of four:

ENV 107Environmental Geology

3
 
ENV 220Stewardship of Watershed Ecosystems

4
OR
ENV 320Stewardship of Watershed Ecosystems

4
 
ENV 203Science, Technology and Society

3
ENV 210Environmental History

3

*With the permission of adviser, students may substitute ENV 270 or ENV 370 for any course except ENV 110 or ENV 204.

To further strengthen the major, students will be required to complete either:

Option A: A second coordinating major or

Option B: A minor that supports the study of environmental sustainability.

Special topics courses are offered on a regular basis at the 170, 270, 370 and occasionally 570 (graduate) level. Some of these courses are: Stewardship of Watershed Ecosystems, Sustainable Architecture, Sustainable Energy and Permaculture.

The Richard Alsina Fulton Center for Sustainable Living

The curriculum in environmental studies works in conjunction with the Richard Alsina Fulton Center for Sustainable Living (also, see page 101). A central aspect of the FCSL is the Fulton Farm, located adjacent to the campus on a 100-acre historic farm and woodland. A variety of habitats provide a background for restorative and sustainable land-use projects, as well as for field studies in the natural sciences. Through classes, research opportunities, workshops and conferences, the FCSL highlights a variety of models for environmentally sound practices in agriculture, home, ecology and spiritual and community life.