Environmental Studies Degree
The Environmental Studies degree provides an integrated, interdisciplinary social science degree opportunity for undergraduates. Foundational courses introduce key concepts from geography, philosophy, and economics. Advanced courses in areas such as resource economics, sustainable development, and environmental law and policy provide depth to this program. This major can lead to a variety of career paths that include public administration, law, environmental education, and advocacy. We strongly encourage environmental studies students to study abroad in a program that complements their study focus.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:
Students entering SCU as freshmen in September 2013 or later automatically fall under the 2013+ version of the degree requirements. This version requires that environmental studies majors complete a GIS course and a course in statistics or research methods.
Students who entered SCU before September 2013 follow the 2011-2012 version of the degree requirements. Current transfer students also fall under this version.
Concentration in Green Business
The Green Business concentration is ideal for students interested in sustainable business practices, eco-labeling, and environmental economics. Students investigate the challenges and possibilities of linking business with positive environmental outcomes. Courses offered through the Departments of Economics, Management, and Marketing introduce Environmental Studies majors to the deep connections between business practices, the economy, and ecosystems. This concentration is an especially good complement to a second major or a minor in the Leavey School of Business.
Concentration in Sustainable Development
The Sustainable Development concentration educates students about the current state of global development, engaging students in critical thinking on topics such as urban development, poverty reduction and inequality, food systems, hunger, and resource conservation. Multicultural and historical perspectives inform interdisciplinary approaches to the complex challenges of sustainability and development, with the goal of working toward a better future.
Concentration in Environmental Politics and Policy
The Environmental Politics and Policy concentration is designed for students interested in analyzing and influencing the political institutions that govern issues ranging from control of pollution to the protection of green spaces and access to healthy foods. Students who pursue this concentration will learn about the domestic and international government agencies, civil society organizations, and laws that establish the structure of environmental policy. They will also analyze how evolving science, contentious politics, regulatory strategies, and issues of environmental justice influence institutional change. The Washington Semester at American University is an especially apt opportunity for students pursuing this concentration.
Concentration in Environmental Thought
The Environmental Thought concentration offers a broadly interdisciplinary, liberal arts approach to environmental studies. Courses explore environmental perspectives on history, philosophy, religion, and literature. This concentration is ideal for students wishing to deepen their abilities in critical thinking, argument, and communication, and is particularly suited to students double-majoring or minoring in disciplines such as English, Religious Studies, History, Philosophy, or the arts.
Continuing students who declared the Environmental Studies major prior to September 1, 2011 automatically fall under the old degree requirements. This version of the major is offered as a companion degree where a student majors in an established B.S. or B.A. program such as Political Science, Economics, or Communication, and in Environmental Studies as a second major. If you wish to switch to the new version of the major, please contact your academic advisor.
Sample Schedule for 2011-2012 Version of the Environmental Studies Major
Fall | Winter | Spring | |
1st year | ENVS 21, ENVS 22, or ENVS 23 CTW 1 or Core CI 1 or Core Core |
ENVS 21, ENVS 22 or ENVS 23 CTW 1, CTW 2, or Core CI 1, CI 2, or Core Core |
ENVS 21, ENVS 22, or ENVS 23 CTW 2 or Core CI 2 or Core ECON 1 or Core |
2nd year | ENVS 50 (C&I 3) ENVS 79 Elective Elective |
ECON 1 (SOC SCI) ARTS RTC 2 Elective |
DIVERSITY ENVS 122 Elective Elective |
3rd year | ENVS 110 RTC 3 Elective Elective |
ENVS 116 UD Natural Science STS ELSJ |
UD Track ETHICS Elective Elective |
4th year | ENVS 198 UD Track ADV WRITING Elective |
ENVS 101 UD Track Elective Elective |
UD Track ELSJ Elective Elective |
*Students are encouraged to enroll in RTC 1 in the first year.
*ENVS 21, 22, & 23 can be taken in any order.
ES MAJORS MUST ALSO COMPLETE FOUR COURSES IN A DECLARED PATHWAY