ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES (ENV)

 

College of Liberal Studies

Program Director: Kenneth Maly

245G Graff Main Hall, 608-785-8422

e-mail: maly.kenn@uwlax.edu

 

Environmental studies is an interdisciplinary minor open to all students at UW-L. While housed in the College of Liberal Studies, the minor reaches across campus and involves environmentally concerned faculty and students from all four colleges. Its purpose is to study environmentalism from a broad perspective, incorporating the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities.

 

 

Environmental Studies Minor

(All colleges) — 24 credits, including ENV 201, 303 (three-six credits), 496; a minimum of three credits from each of the following three areas: A) natural sciences: BIO 102, 307, 341; CHM 100; GEO 200, 324, 425, 460; HON 295; B) social sciences: ARC 404; ANT 203; C-I  381; ECO 346;  HED 334, 335, 487; POL 318; REC 306, 381; SOC 314, 328, 360; W-S 371; C) humanities: HIS 317; PHL 341; ENG 459. ENV 450 and 499, while not fulfilling requirements in Categories A, B, or C, may be used to reach the total of 24 credits.

 

Some departments, because they offer several of their own courses for the environmental studies minor, limit the number of credits that their majors may apply to the environmental studies minor. Biology majors may not apply any biology credits toward the minor. Geography majors may apply a maximum of six credits to the minor. Health education and health promotion majors may not apply HED 335 to the minor. Sociology or archaeological studies majors may apply a maximum of three credits to both their major and their minor.

 

+ above a course number indicates a General Education course.

 

+

ENV        201                                                                                                                                     Cr. 3

Introduction to Environmental Studies

An interdisciplinary, introductory seminar which will explore current environmental issues from a variety of perspectives (scientific, historical, and social) and disciplines (natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.) Attitudes toward the natural world and approaches to public and private decision-making will also be examined. Some field trips will be used to examine local and regional practices and issues. Offered Sem. I.

 

ENV        303                                                                                                                                     Cr. 3

Issues in Environmental Studies

This fully interdisciplinary seminar provides the opportunity to gain understanding of the

scientific, historical, and ethical issues in ecological literacy and environmental responsibility by focusing on a specific environmental concern. Selected environmental issues with a specific focus will be offered. Examples are forestry, ground water, air pollution, ozone depletion, sustainable agriculture, overpopulation. Each offering will have a specific title according to the topic. Prerequisites: ENV 201 and six credits from the environmental studies minor list. Repeatable for credit — maximum 6.

 

ENV        450                                                                                                                                     Cr. 3

Internship in Environmental Studies

Direct work experience with an agency or organization that deals with environmental issues or problems from an interdisciplinary perspective. The student works under supervision of both faculty adviser and agency staff member. Examples of sites include governmental agencies, advocacy groups, environmental education centers, alternative technologies companies, and environmental compliance divisions of corporations. Prerequisites: ENV 201, declared environmental studies minor, consent of environmental studies director, and junior standing. All internships must be approved in the semester prior to the semester that the internship occurs.

  

ENV        496                                                                                                                                     Cr. 3

Integrative Seminar in Environmental Studies

This capstone course, offered in seminar style, will focus on research and responsible environmental action. It will discuss, review, and assess course work done in the environmental studies minor. Students will evaluate previous course work and design and conduct research projects or other environmental projects/activities. This seminar will be oriented toward integration of various aspects of the minor, within the context of a bioregional emphasis, a focus on environmental issues on campus, and a component aimed at environmental action. Prerequisites: ENV 201, 303 and 12 credits from the list of supporting courses.

 

ENV        499                                                                                                                                     Cr. 1-3

Independent Study in Environmental Studies

Under supervision of instructor, individualized study in environmental studies on issues/topics not available in existing courses. Prerequisites: ENV 201, declared environmental studies minor, and consent of environmental studies director. All independent studies must be approved in the semester prior to the semester that the independent study occurs. Repeatable for credit—maximum 3.