Environmental Studies
The environmental studies (ENS) major is structured to provide students with a fundamental grounding in environmental studies and an exploration of interdisciplinary approaches to environmental issues.
Overview
The mission of the environmental studies program is to help students gain an understanding of the ways that humans influence and are influenced by their non-human surroundings, and to learn to fashion ways of living equitably and sustainably on the earth. As a practical goal, environmental studies develops effective solutions to environmental issues with an understanding of the scientific, societal, and ethical dimensions of the problems. To do so, the major draws on a wide array of fields, including anthropology, biology, chemistry, ecology, economics, English, history, philosophy, public policy, and religion.
Curriculum
The environmental studies major requires eleven courses arranged in four levels. It provides a solid background in the fundamental principles of environmental studies, promotes strong interdisciplinary understanding of environmental issues, and allows significant flexibility in tailoring the program. Students should focus on a particular area, or track, in the humanities, social studies, or sciences.
