Environmental Studies

Bachelor of Arts

Thomas C. Shevory, Associate Professor and Coordinator

Environmental studies is an interdisciplinary major dealing with questions and issues that pertain to the interaction between humanity and nature. No one discipline can possibly cover such a broad area for reflection; consequently, students in this major are required to develop considerable intellectual breadth. The core curriculum requires not only a significant amount of science but also history, economics, politics, and philosophy. In consultation with their advisers, students will construct an area of concentration. Students must submit the self-designed concentration to the registrar no later than the end of the junior year. A senior capstone experience (such as an internship, research paper, or special project) will integrate the major and prepare graduates for graduate school or environmental careers.

Note that environmental studies is a bachelor of arts degree program; students interested in environmental science should consider a major in one of the natural sciences and a minor in environmental studies.

Requirements for the Major in Environmental Studies --- B.A.

Required courses

303-15100	Environmental Science I	3
303-15200	Environmental Science II	3
303-27500	Field Biology	4
304-11700	Environmental Chemistry I	3
304-11800	Environmental Chemistry II	3
306-28100	Environmental Economics*	3
310-36600	Environmental Politics	3
311-27000	History of American Environmental Thought	3
312-11000	Introduction to Computers and Information Systems	3
314-25000	Environmental Ethics	3

* 306-12200 Principles of Microeconomics is prerequisite to 306-28100.

One of the following

303-12000	Fundamentals of Biology II or
303-12200	Principles of Biology II	4

Restricted elective courses

313-15500	Basic Statistical Reasoning* or
313-24300	Statistics** or
313-24400	Statistics with Probability***	3-4
xxx-xxxxx	Capstone chosen from an approved tutorial, seminar, internship, or independent study at level 3 or 4	3

* Math Group 3 and one NS or SS course are prerequisites to 313-15500.

** Either 313-10500 or 313-10600 and Math Group 2 or 313-11100 and 313-11200 are prerequisites to 313-24300.

*** Either 313-10800 or 313-11100 is prerequisite to 313-24400.

Required self-designed concentration

	Three courses at any level	9
	Four courses at level 3 or 4	12
	Total in the major	62-63
	Electives	57-58
	Total, B.A. in environmental studies	120

Minor in Environmental Studies

The interdisciplinary minor in environmental studies at Ithaca College is administered by the School of Humanities and Sciences. The object of the minor is (1) to introduce students to the substance and complexity of environmental issues, and (2) to explain what is needed to be known before they can begin to participate in responsible discussion and policy making on any level.

Students pursue eight courses for an integrated inquiry into two related areas: Area I: Foundations in Science --- toward an understanding of and an appreciation for the principles of ecology, and thus a recognition of the necessity for integrity and stability in the natural environment; and Area II: the Cultural Solution --- an analysis of economic, political, cultural, and intellectual forces that motivate adverse human impact on the natural environment, and an encouragement of an "active hope" for solutions to environmental issues.

Requirements for the minor in environmental studies

Area I: Foundations in Science (9-16 credits; minimum of 3 courses)

Minimum of one survey of biology from the following

303-12000	Fundamentals of Biology II
303-11500	Essentials of Biology
303-12200	Principles of Biology II
303-15100, 303-15200	Environmental Science I, II (both required)

Minimum of one ecology/environment oriented course from the following

303-10400	Environmental Biology
303-27100	General Ecology
303-28400	Field Ornithology

Minimum of one chemistry course from the following

304-10200	Contemporary Chemical Issues
304-10500	Energy and the Environment
304-11700, 304-11800	Environmental Chemistry I, II (both required)

(Note: Students may satisfy this requirement by selecting any two-course sequence in chemistry.)

Area II: The cultural basis of the environmental crisis and the search for solutions

(12 credits; minimum of 4 courses of which at least one is in the humanities and one is in the social sciences)

311-27000	History of American Environmental Thought HU
311-48100, 311-48200	History Seminar, Non-United States HU
311-48300, 311-48400	History Seminar, United States HU
311-49100, 311-49200	Tutorial, Non-United States History HU
311-49300, 311-49400	Tutorial, United States History HU
314-25000	Environmental Ethics HU
377-31900	Writing as a Naturalist HU
306-28100	Environmental Economics SS
306-28200	Natural Resources Economics SS
310-12900	Introduction to Global Studies SS
310-36600	Environmental Politics SS
311-20300	Introduction to Geography SS
331-30100	Technology and Society SS
331-40200	Society and Nature SS
339-12900	Introduction to Global Studies SS
339-37500	Environmental Anthropology SS	12
	One additional course from either Area I or II	3-4
	Total required for minor	24-32

Students should be aware that many of the courses in Area II have prerequisites not listed within the minor. Therefore, to successfully complete the minor, it is important to plan carefully and seek advice early from a minor adviser.

Courses listed as seminar or tutorial only apply if the topic is appropriate to the minor and prior approval is granted by the minor coordinator.

335-49000 Independent Study   U LA

The program of study may be a reading program of materials of special interest to the student, or one involving developing and executing a research project on a specific topic. Reading or research is undertaken under faculty direction. Prerequisites: Permission of instructor. 1-4 credits. (F-S,Y)

335-49500 Internship   NLA

Permits students to explore environmental studies through a variety of work experiences. Students are expected to submit as part of their course obligations a thorough written evaluative report based on their experiences. Internships may be taken at national, state, and local levels and in the London Center under the auspices of the Ithaca College London Center. Prerequisites: Permission of instructor; completion of three-quarters of an environmental studies major or minor. 1-12 credits. (F-S,Y)