Environmental Studies and Sustainability

Environmental Science along with Environmental Studies and Sustainability are interdisciplinary fields that draw upon information obtained from many areas of knowledge including the sciences, mathematics, philosophy, political science and economics. They are, by nature, global in scope because environmental issues transcend geopolitical boundaries. Both majors stress collaborative study with faculty, internships, and a hands‐on approach while developing a working knowledge of tools specific to the field. The curriculum centers on examining how the natural world functions and the use of information from diverse sources to examine the human impact on our environment.

The Environmental Studies and Sustainability program focuses on developing the skills necessary to be successful in the field of environmental studies and sustainability. Whether you are interested in working with environmental advocacy organizations, working in the field of environmental and public policy, or working in the emerging discipline of sustainability, examining how organizations, businesses, and communities are addressing the environmental issues of the 21st century‐‐ students are prepared for employment directly after graduation or going into related advanced study and graduate programs.

The Environmental Studies major is intended for students interested in careers related to environmental policy, environmental education (nature centers, parks and recreation), environmental law (pre‐law), and work with non‐profit organizations.

Learning Outcomes

Students completing the Environmental Studies and Sustainability program in the B.A. track should be able to:

• Apply core concepts and fundamental principles from economic, political, and social analysis as they pertain to the design and evaluation of environmental policy and sustainability.
• Distinguish the ethical, cultural, and historical context of environmental issues and the links between human and natural systems.
• Reflect critically about our roles, and responsibilities as citizens, consumers and how our actions impact the environment.
• Discuss the transnational character of environmental problems and ways of addressing them, including interactions across local to global scales.
• Communicate the primary concepts of sustainability and its implementation and assessment to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrate proficiency in quantitative methods, qualitative analysis needed to conduct research and produce scholarship in the indiscipline.
• Communicate knowledge in the field orally and in writing, in a clear and effective manner.

Programs

• Environmental Studies and Sustainability, B.A.