Environmental Studies

Interdisciplinary Program

The mission of the Environmental Studies program is to help students to gain an understanding of the ways that humans influence and are influenced by their non-human surroundings and to learn to fashion ways of living equitably and sustainably on the earth. This task is fully compatible with Centre College’s institutional mission of preparing students for lives of learning, leadership, and service in a global society. Environmental awareness is a key attribute of global citizenship, and an Environmental Studies major is an important component of promoting that awareness. Environmental Studies is inherently interdisciplinary, and it reflects and exemplifies the core values of a liberal arts college. The ENS major is structured to provide students with a fundamental grounding in environmental studies and an exploration of interdisciplinary approaches to environmental issues. Students also focus on a particular area, or track, in the Humanities, Social Studies, or Sciences. Within the track, the careful and thoughtful selection of electives – in close consultation with their advisor and the ENS program faculty in general – gives students an important exercise in choosing wisely and planning ahead to produce a coherent course of study. Many of the courses fulfilling ENS major or minor requirements, especially in the sciences, have prerequisites, and several courses are not offered regularly or are offered only once every two years. Students interested in the major are encouraged to consult with a program committee member early on to plan their preparation for the major and to discuss course offering schedules and options for a track. The major culminates in an advanced seminar incorporating a capstone project in which students apply the lessons they have learned in confronting a pressing environmental problem. An internship in a relevant environmental organization and directed research experience are strongly recommended, although they are not requirements of the major.

Faculty

Brett Werner, Megs Gendreau (chair), David Anderson, Jean Faye, Mark Galatowitsch, Dan Manheim, Endre Nyerges, Kaelyn Wiles, Ruohao Zhang

Student Representatives

Carley Bishop, Shamik Chandrachood, Sarah Matthews, Lucy Swenson

Environmental Studies Courses

Course Descriptions