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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; Aune, Bergman, Foley, Hansen, McKenna, Olufs, St. Clair, Stivers, Teska, Whitman.
Major Requirements: 36 semester hours, completed with grade of C or higher.
- 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 - Disciplinary Breadth
Students are required to take courses that provide an in-depth study and exposure to environmental issues within disciplines.
- 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 - 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 - 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
independent work in the course on an environmental theme or issue.
- 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 - 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 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.
- 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. - 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 - 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
independent work in the course on an environmental theme or issue. - Environmental Studies 350 Environmental Methods of Investigation 4 semester hours
Course Offerings – EVNT
104 Conservation of Natural Resources – NS, SM
Principles and problems of public and private stewardship of our
resources with specific reference to the Pacific 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 specific interest of the student. A substantial project
and a public presentation of the results are required. Prerequisite:
ENVT 350. (4)
