Upon completion of the Environmental Studies major, students will be able to demonstrate:
- A broad knowledge of the Social Science and Humanities approaches to the natural environment.
- An awareness of the vast nature and scope of environmental problems.
- The ability to critically analyze past, present, and proposed governmental policy approaches to environmental and sustainability issues.
- An extensive set of insights into the complexity of the political, geographical, historical, economic, and social issues surrounding the environmental, environmental justice, and sustainability movements.
- An understanding of-and ability to grapple with-the numerous ethical dimensions to many environmental issues.
- An ability to become effective environmental problem-solvers in a diverse world with differences in environmental perspectives.
To major in Environmental Studies, the student and the coordinator of Environmental Studies (who becomes the student's academic advisor) initiate a written Social Science Major-by-Contract with the following stipulations:
- Drawn up by the student and two faculty members, one representing the principal discipline (Environmental Studies) and one representing an appropriate secondary discipline.
- Approved and signed (normally by the time the student has reached the fifth semester or 75 credits) by the student, the two faculty sponsors, the coordinator of Environmental Studies, the chair(s) of the department(s) involved, and the academic dean.
- Subject to modification at the request of the student or advisor; any modifications must be agreed to by all parties to the contract.
The written contract will state how the student is to complete a minimum of 48 credits to be distributed as follows:
- At least 21 credits in Environmental Studies, including a 4000-level Independent Study. These courses may be chosen from ENV courses and courses cross-listed with ENV.
- At least 18 credits in the secondary discipline
In addition, at least nine more credits must be earned as follows:
POS 1020 - American Politics and Government 3 cr
Students whose secondary discipline is a Natural Science must take at least one course in two of the following disciplines: ECO, GEO, GLB, HIS (beyond what they are already taking for their principal discipline) 6 cr
Students whose secondary discipline is NOT a Natural Science must take at least one course in two of the following disciplines: BIO, CHEM, GEY, SCI (beyond what they are already taking for their principal discipline) 6 cr
- Included among all the 48 credits earned, at least 12 credits must be at least at the 2000-level and an additional 12 credits must be at least at the 3000-.
Cross-listed courses may be used to fulfill these requirements, but the same course cannot be used to fulfill both the principal and the secondary disciplines requirements. Courses used to satisfy the above requirements may also be used to satisfy the general education requirements.