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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, Garrigan, McKenna, McKenney, Olufs, St. Clair, Teska, Whitman.
1. FOUNDATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES- four 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:
ENVT/GEOS 104: Conservation of Natural Resources
ENGL/RELI 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.
A. The Environment and Science - eight 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:
BIOL 115: Diversity of Life
BIOL 116: Introductory Ecology
BIOL 424: Ecology
BIOL 426: Ecological Methods
CHEM 104: Environmental Chemistry
GEOS 332: Geomorphology
GEOS 334: Hydrogeology
C. The Environment and Sensibility - four 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:
ENGL 234: Environmental Literature
PHIL 230: Philosophy, Animals and the Environment
RELI 365: Christian Moral Issues (Environmental Ethics only)
BIOL 333: Comparative Ecology in Latin America
ECON 315: Investigating Environmental and Economic Changes in Europe
ENVT 325: Ecology: Community and Culture in Australia
ENVT 487: Special Topics in Environmental Studies
HIST 344: The Andes in Latin American History
HIST 370: Environmental History of the United States
INTC 241: Energy, Resources, and Pollution
INTC 242: Population, Hunger, and Poverty
or additional approved courses that meet outcomes/objectives
4. ADVANCED INTEGRATIVE COURSES - eight 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.
ENVT 350: Environmental Methods of Investigation
ENVT 499: Capstone: Senior Project
- A minor or major in another discipline.
- An internship is required, either for the capstone project or as a separate experience. Students must complete a Learning Agreement and 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 - eight semester hours
Select two courses from the following which examine the scientific foundations of environmental problems. The courses must be from different departments:
BIOL 115: Diversity of LIfe
BIOL 116: Introductory Ecology
BIOL 424: Ecology
BIOL 426: Ecological Methods
CHEM 104: Environmental Chemistry
ENVT/GEOS 104: Conservation of Natural Resources
GEOS 334: Hydrogeology
Students majoring in a natural science discipline and who have taken a
higher-level Chemistry course (CHEM 120 or above) will be allowed to
substitute another course in consultation with the Environmental
Studies Committee.
Select one course from the following which pursue the study of
institutions where environmental perspectives and policies are applied:
ECON 111: Principles of Microeconomics: Global and Environmental
ECON 311: Energy and Natural Resource Economics
ECON 313: Environmental Economics
POLS 346: Environmental Politics and Policy
Select one course from the following which examine values, perception, and expression as they relate to environmental issues:
ENGL 234: Environmental Literature
ENGL/RELI 239: Environment and Culture
PHIL 230: Philosophy, Animals and the Environment
INTC 241: Energy, Resources, and Pollution
RELI 365: Christian Moral Issues (Environmental Ethics only)
ENVT 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. (Cross-isted with GEOS 104.) (4)
ENVT 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. (4)
ENVT 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)
ENVT 487: Special Topics in Environmental Studies
Selected topics as announced by the program. Course will address current interdisciplinary issues in environmental studies. (1–4)
ENVT 491: Independent Studies
Opportunity to focus on specific topics or issues in environmental studies under the supervision of a faculty member. (1-4)
ENVT 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)
ENVT 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)