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2024 - 2025 College Catalog
Environmental Studies, BA
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 Return to: Areas of Study
View Environmental Studies Program website
Environmental studies is broadly defined as the study of nature, including the relationship of humans to the rest of the natural world. Presently, human activities are altering the life systems of our home planet. Climate change, species extinction, atmospheric pollution and loss of ancient forests are common knowledge, as is the planetary impact of human populations and consumption habits. These problems have a biological basis that requires the application of the scientific method to understand them, to discern cause and effects, and to pose scientifically tenable solutions. However, concern for and stewardship of the planet is not solely the purview of the scientist. Our understanding of these issues is impossible without social, cultural, political, ethical and economic considerations. The work of understanding these trends and forming alternate visions for the future draws upon ideas, information and insight from disciplines across the curriculum as well as from co-curricular activities.
The goals of the environmental studies major and minor are two-fold: 1) to help students achieve cross-disciplinary perspectives on the environment, and 2) to create a community of concern among students and faculty who participate in the study area-a community that encourages learning how to act as well as to understand. Even if no environmental problems existed, students and faculty would study how natural systems function, how the arts and social studies reveal connections between humanity and nature, and how the environment has nurtured philosophical and religious ideas about the place of humans in the universe.
To complete a major or minor in environmental studies, a student must satisfy the following requirements designed to establish the breadth and depth of knowledge consistent with the goals of the environmental studies study area.
Learning Outcomes
- Use an interdisciplinary approach that synthesizes information from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
- Demonstrate critical thinking and appropriate methodological approaches of the social sciences, natural sciences, humanities, and the arts in environmental problem solving.
- Successfully conduct an environmentally themed inquiry that uses appropriate techniques drawn from the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, or the arts.
- Articulate ideas effectively in writing, oral presentations, or visual communication for diverse audiences.
- Reflect critically about their roles and identities as citizens, professionals, and environmental stewards in a complex, interconnected world.
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General College Requirements
To earn a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Environmental Studies, a student must satisfy the General College Requirements (see “Curriculum ” section), including the following requirements to satisfy the major:
Foundational Course Requirements
Students must complete each of the following four requirements:
Toolkit Requirement
Students must complete one of the following Toolkit Courses:
Application Requirement
Students must complete one of the following:
Depth Requirements
Students choose one track to fulfill their depth requirement to provide significant expertise in a focused area. There are three available tracks: Environmental Science; Environmental Policy and Social Science; and Environmental Arts and Humanities. Depth requirements can be fulfilled in one of the following ways:
- 16 ENST or ENST cross-listed credits, all within a single ENST track; eight (8) credits of which must be at the 300-400 level
or
Breadth Requirements
Breadth Requirement: Eight (8) Credits of ENST or ENST Cross-Listed Courses consisting of four (4) credits from each of the two tracks not used to fulfill the depth requirement. Capstone Requirement
The capstone experience must consist of 8 credit hours, a student can satisfy it one of the following ways:
Credit Requirements
* See the SMCM Catalog for additional information on major credit count, courses offered, and other information on major.
- A minimum of 59 credits is required to fulfill the major.
- Students must earn a grade of C- or better, and maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 or better, in courses used to satisfy the major.
Environmental Tracks
The following courses, as well as other identified, occasional, ENST cross-listed course offerings, can be used to satisfy the elective requirements of the major and minor:
Environmental Science Track
Environmental Policy & Social Sciences Track
Environmental Arts and Humanities Track
Summary of Environmental Studies Major Requirements
Sequence of Study
The student will develop a plan of study with their academic advisor to pursue their depth requirement in one of the three ENST elective tracks (Environmental Sciences; Environmental Social Science & Policy; Environmental Arts & Humanities).While it is recommended that students take 300- and 400-level courses during their third and fourth years, they may opt to enroll in these courses earlier with the instructor’s approval and at their discretion. The following sequence of study is a viable path for completing the ENST major in four years.
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Return to: Areas of Study
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