Interdisciplinary Concentration in Environmental Studies
The liberal learning concentration in Environmental
Studies is designed for students who are interested in learning
more about the natural environment and the ecology of the planet
as well as the relationship of political, social, cultural,
and economic activities to the environment. Environmental issues
are studied from the perspectives of relevant natural sciences,
quantitative reasoning, the social sciences, and the arts and
humanities. Students completing the concentration gain sufficient
knowledge to understand environmental issues in the context
of human interaction with the natural world. They also gain
the motivation and the ability to apply pertinent skills and
knowledge developed throughout their curriculum to the analysis
of environmental problems and possible solutions.
Learning Objectives
Students will gain an
overview of the major environmental issues and the implications
of those issues for humanity. They will understand the interactions
between human activities and the ecology of natural systems
as well as understand trade-offs and constraints on environmental
policies. Students will also acquire a working knowledge of
environmental issues utilizing both quantitative and qualitative
approaches. They will also develop an appreciation for the interdisciplinary
nature of these issues, drawing upon the valuable but often
different perspectives provided by the humanities, natural sciences,
and social sciences. Finally, they will demonstrate their
competence in analyzing the environment by writing papers that
display familiarity with perspectives provided by the humanities,
natural science, and social sciences.
Faculty/Staff Sponsors
Coordinator: Curt Elderkin (Biology); Sponsors: Diane Bates (Sociology & Anthropology), Stuart Koch (Political Science), Nathan Magee (Physics), Janet Morrison (Biology), Donald Vandegrift (Business), Morton Winston (Philosophy & Religion)
Courses and Internship
A total of seven
courses including a capstone are required for completion of
this concentration. Students are also strongly encouraged
to complete an internship in environmental studies if possible.
Some FSPs, "Topics" courses, and off-campus courses (including study abroad experiences) may count towards the Environmental Studies Concentration. Please consult with your ESC advisor to determine this.
Natural Science and Quantitative Reasoning
Natural Science
One of the following
- BIO 175/Environmental Biology* (or BIO 173/Humanity and the Natural World*)
- BIO 185/Themes in Biology*
- BIO 221/Ecology and Field Biology (Prerequisite: BIO 185)
- GEO 120/Introduction to Geology*
- MET 171/Introduction to Meteorology*
- PHY 103/Meteorology*
Quantitative Reasoning
- Any statistics course approved for liberal learning
breadth requirements.
Social Sciences and History
Two of
the following
- ANT 341/Dynamics of Cultural Ecology (or Human Ecology)*
- ECO 350/Economics of Environmental Quality (Prerequisite: ECO 101)
- ETE 341/Environmental and Biotechnological Systems (Prerequisite: ETE 131 or MAT 127 and ETE 271)
- HIS 388/Environmental History*
- POL 355/Political Economy of Natural Resources*
- SOC 345/Inequality, Pollution and the Environment*
- SOC 355/Introduction to Urban Planning*
- SOC 372/Introduction to Comparative Public Health (or Global Public Health)*
- Note: see selected topics and seminar courses in various social science departments with environmental themes. Contact appropriate Environmental Studies faculty member.
Arts and Humanities
Two of the following
- PHL 135/Contemporary Moral Issues*
- PHL 265/Environmental Ethics (Prerequisite: One course
in philosophy or permission of the instructor)
- PHL 350/ Ethical Theory (Prerequisite: One 200 level course
in philosophy or permission of the instructor)
- WGS 374/Ecofeminism (Prerequisite: Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing)
- Note: see selected topics and seminar courses in various arts and humanities departments with environmental themes. Contact appropriate Environmental Studies faculty member.
Capstone
One of the following
- BIO 315/ Plants and People (Prerequisite: BIO 185 or permission of the instructor)
- HON 316/Environmental Quality and Public Policy* (To be
offered as a regular Political Science course); or, a new
Political Science course on environmental policy, planning
regulation being to be developed by Dr. Martin Bierbaum, Executive
Director of the Municipal Land Use Center at TCNJ.
- Independent Study in Environmental Studies (under development)
- Internship in Environmental Studies (Internships will include
a significant academic component under the supervision of
a faculty or staff advisor.)
*No listed prerequisites.
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