Environmental Studies
253.535.8720
www.plu.edu/~envt

Course Offerings

The Environmental Studies Program at PLU examines the relationship between humans and the environment through a wide variety of perspectives within the university curriculum. The integrative approach of the program, essential to the development of an understanding of the global impact of human civilization on the natural environment of our planet, encourages students to blend many perspectives on environmental issues into their program of study.

The program, in keeping with the broad liberal arts objectives of the university, offers a major or a minor in Environmental Studies. Students have the opportunity to link environmental themes to any area of the curriculum they select in their complementary major or minor.

The program is overseen by an interdisciplinary faculty committee. Students interested in the Environmental Studies major or minor should meet with the chair of the Environmental Studies Committee.

Faculty: A committee of faculty administers this program: Swank, Chair; Bergman, Foley, Garrigan, Hansen, Rowe, Teska, Yerian.

Major Requirements: 36 semester hours, completed with grade of C or higher.

1. Foundations for Environmental Studies 4 semester hours
   Select one of the following courses, which introduce students to environmental issues through a multidisciplinary and integrated approach. These courses involve the construction and interpretation of arguments from a variety of perspectives:
   
   Environmental Studies/Geosciences 104 Conservation of Natural Resources
   English/Religion 239 Environment and Culture
   
   
2. Disciplinary Breadth
   Students are required to take courses that provide an in-depth study and exposure to environmental issues within disciplines.
   
   1. The Environment and Science 8 semester hours
      Select two courses from the following, which emphasize the understanding of scientific reasoning and arguments, the interpretation of data and relationships in the natural world, and the scientific context of environmental issues. The courses must be from different departments:
      
      Biology 116 Introductory Ecology
      Biology 424 Ecology
      Chemistry 104 Environmental Chemistry
      Geosciences 334 Hydrogeology
      
      
   2. The Environment and Society 8 semester hours
      Select two courses from the following, which focus on the understanding of the institutions within which environmental decisions are made and investigate the implementation and implications of environmental decisions. The courses must be from different departments:
      
      Economics 130 Global and Environmental Economic Principles
      Economics 330 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
      Political Science 346 Environmental Politics and Policy
      
      
   3. The Environment and Sensibility 4 semester hours
      Select one course from the following, which examine the ways in which nature exists in human consciousness, values, and perceptions. Students receive guidance in careful reading, thoughtful writing, and sensitive attentiveness to nature and to environmental issues:
      
      English 234 Environmental Literature
      English 324 Free-lance Writing*
      Religion 365 Christian Moral Issues (Environmental Ethics only)
      * Students must notify the instructor of their intent to complete a major in Environmental Studies so that they can focus their inde-pendent work in the course on an environmental theme or issue.
      
      
3. Elective Courses 4 semester hours
   Select one course that integrates and applies environmental concepts within a special topic area. This course should be selected in consultation with their program advisor:
   
   Environmental Studies 325 Ecology, Community and Culture in Australia
   Environmental Studies 487 Special Topics in Environmental Studies
   International Core 241 Energy, Resources, and Pollution
   International Core 242 Population, Hunger, and Poverty
   Psychology 464 Environmental Psychology
   or additional approved courses that meet outcomes/objectives
   
   
4. Advanced Integrative Courses 8 semester hours
   All majors must complete the following courses. It is expected that they will have completed all of the other requirements before these final courses.
   Environmental Studies 350 Environmental Methods of Investigation
   Environmental Studies 499 Capstone: Senior Project

Additional Requirements:

• A complementary minor or major in another discipline.
• An internship is required, either for the capstone project or as a separate experience. Students must receive approval for their internship by the chair of Environmental Studies.
• A minimum of 20 hours of upper-division credits is required in the major.

Minor Requirements: 20 semester hours, completed with grade of C or higher.

1. Environment and Science 8 semester hours
   Select two courses from the following which examine the scientific foundations of environmental problems:
   
   Environmental Studies/Geosciences 104 Conservation of Natural Resources
   Biology 116 Introductory Ecology
   Chemistry 104 Environmental Chemistry
   Students majoring in a natural science discipline and who have taken a higher-level Chemistry course (120 or above) will be allowed to substitute another course in consultation with the Environmental Studies Committee.
   
   
2. Environment and Society 4 semester hours
   Select one course from the following which pursue the study of institutions where environmental perspectives and policies are applied:
   
   Economics 130 Global and Environmental Economic Principles
   Economics 330 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
   Political Science 346 Environmental Politics and Policy
   
   
3. Environment and Sensibility 4 semester hours
   Select one course from the following which examine values, perception, and expression as they relate to environmental issues:
   
   English 234 Environmental Literature
   English/Religion 239 Environment and Culture
   English 324 Free-lance Writing*
   International Core 241 Energy, Resources, and Pollution
   Psychology 464 Environmental Psychology
   Religion 365 Christian Moral Issues (Environmental Ethics only)
   *Students must notify the instructor of their intent to complete a minor in Environmental Studies so that they can focus their inde-pendent work in the course on an environmental theme or issue.
   
   
4. Environmental Studies 350 Environmental Methods of Investigation 4 semester hours

Back to topCourse Offerings

104 Conservation of Natural Resources - NS, SM
Principles and problems of public and private stewardship of our resources with speci?c reference to the Paci?c Northwest. (Crosslisted with GEOS 104.) (4)

325 Ecology, Community and Culture in Australia
Students live in the community of Crystal Waters, Australia and study permaculture design, participate in community life, and explore Australian cultures and ecosystems. J (4)

350 Environmental Methods of Investigation
Study of a watershed using and integrating techniques and principles of environmental sciences, political science, economics, and ethics. Includes laboratory. Prerequisites: Lines 1-3 completed or consent of instructor. (4)

487 Special Topics in Environmental Studies
Selected topics as announced by the program. Course will address current interdisciplinary issues in environmental studies. (1-4)

491 Independent Studies
Opportunity to focus on specific topics or issues in environmental studies under the supervision of a faculty member. (1-4)

495 Internship in Environmental Studies
An internship with a private or public sector agency, organization, or company involved in environmental issues. By consent of the chair of Environmental Studies only. (4)

499 Capstone: Senior Project - SR
An interdisciplinary research project of the student's design that incorporates materials and methods from earlier courses and has a focus reflecting the speci?c interest of the student. A substantial project and a public presentation of the results are required. Prerequisite: ENVT 350. (4)