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Table of Contents Academic Life Academic Regulations The Academic Programs International and Off-Campus Studies Special Programs Admissions and Financial Aid Life Outside the Classroom People Facts and Figures College Calendar |
Environmental Studies http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/environmental-studies/ Director, 2000-01: Robert Jacobel, Physics, geophysics, ice and climate interactions Faculty, 2000-01: Mark Allister, English, American literature, writing; Diane Angell, Biology, ecology and animal behavior; Eugene B. Bakko, Biology, animal physiology, vertebrate biology; J. Patrick Dale, Political Science, comparative politics, European politics and economics; James Farrell, History, environmental history, American studies; Daniel Hofrenning, Political Science, public policy, American politics; Rebecca Judge, Economics, environment and public policy; Henry Kermott, Biology, vertebrate biology, animal behavior; Joel Olfelt, Biology, conservation biology and rare plants; Kathleen Shea, Biology, ecology, environmental studies; Mike Swift, Biology, aquatic ecology; Charles Taliaferro, Philosophy, philosophy of religion, ethics; Charles Umbanhowar, Jr., Biology, ecology, environmental studies Environmental Studies combines the strengths of disciplinary work in the contributing departments together with interdisciplinary studies, giving both broad and focused perspectives on environmental problems and issues. The program offers a major in environmental studies with three tracks or options in which students may choose to focus their work: Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Arts and Humanities. In many cases, work in these tracks overlaps with traditional departmental curricula, and students may choose to complete a second major there. All students majoring in environmental studies take four courses from a common set of core offerings which emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of environmental problems and issues. Students then choose one of the three tracks in which to focus their work. Courses required from two cognate groups outside of the selected track provide essential knowledge, methods and perspectives to complement the focus. All majors complete an experiential component during their studies and take a capstone course for a total of 12 required courses. Students wishing to count courses not specifically designated as satisfying requirements for the major may petition the Environmental Studies Advisory Board prior to enrollment. The program also offers a concentration in environmental studies for students wishing to complement a disciplinary major with a smaller core of courses and electives focused on the environment. GENERAL EDUCATION Because of their interdisciplinary character, environmental studies courses are most appropriate for students seeking to fulfill general education requirements. The introductory seminar, Environmental Studies 137, serves many students in the NST (non-lab) area, and other Environmental Studies courses generally fulfill one or more of the general education requirements.
2. Cognate Courses: Each of the tracks requires selections from the groups listed below (see specific requirements in each track). Courses listed in the core groups (above), and not taken to fulfill those requirements, may also serve as options for the respective cognate requirements.
3. Senior Capstone: Environmental Studies 399/398 (Students who wish to count an Independent Research course or other independent research in lieu of Environmental Studies 399 must have the approval of the Environmental Studies Director and in all cases will participate in a public presentation of their work.) 4. Experiential Component: All students majoring in Environmental Studies will participate in an experience that applies basic knowledge in a setting beyond the classroom. This may be one of the off-campus environmental studies courses/programs, or an internship, or a research project approved by the Director. Guidelines and a set of approved courses are available from the director and are posted on the program web site. TRACKS IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES MAJOR The natural science track seeks to give students a broad exposure to the range of problems encountered by scientists working in environmental fields and the investigative tools they use, while providing a solid foundation for further study in one of the contributing disciplines. Students planning careers in environmental science are strongly urged to consider an additional major in Biology or Chemistry. Eight courses are required in addition to the four specified above:
The social science track is a contract major in which students select a set of disciplinary and cognate courses in consultation with an advisor. In addition to the core courses and the capstone seminar (specified above), students will select seven additional courses from the following groups:
The arts and humanities track requires seven courses in addition to the core courses and the capstone seminar (specified above). ... In addition, four of the courses must be Level II or above.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CONCENTRATION The Environmental Studies Concentration draws upon the disciplinary strengths of a traditional major and a set of core courses focused on the environment. Students may utilize Environmental Studies-related upper-level courses within their own discipline to complete requirements of the Concentration.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS A number of off-campus programs include an internship or independent study component in which students may elect to focus on environmental issues. Students must consult with the Environmental Studies director in planning their programs and must receive approval before counting work from off-campus programs toward an Environmental Studies concentration. The programs listed below have a substantial focus in environmental studies and will generally satisfy Environmental Studies requirements:
COURSES 101 The Culture of Nature This American environmental history explores the social construction of nature in the 20th century, looking at the roots (both natural and cultural) of contemporary environmental issues. To figure out what nature means to us now, we will study the history of stuff, the culture of grasslands and lawns, the changing character of the city and the country, the nature of the suburbs, the conservation and preservation movements, different energy ecologies, the nature of TV, the contemporary environmental movement, and alternative ecological practices. We will also use the St. Olaf campus as a case study of 20th-century environmental design. 125 Conservation Biology Conservation Biology focuses on the study of biological diversity. We will examine why we should be concerned about the number and types of species on earth, what factors threaten the survival of species, and how we can conserve them. Using principles of ecology and evolution, with input from other disciplines, students gain a better understanding of the impact of humans on biodiversity and the importance of responsible environmental decision-making. Offered annually. Counts towards Environmental Studies Concentration, Environmental Studies Major. GE: NST. 137 Introduction to Environmental Studies This interdisciplinary seminar uses basic concepts of environmental science to explore global environmental issues. Topics are drawn from recent texts and current periodic literature, and participants will recognize many of the seminar issues from coverage in the media. Because most environmental problems involve issues beyond the science, the seminar examines the economic, political, and ethical dimensions of environmental questions and environmental decision-making. Offered every semester. GE: NST. 150 Minnesota Natural History This summer field course focuses on the natural history and ecosystem relationships of living plant and animal organisms in Minnesota, with special emphasis on the Northwoods ecosystem. It explores the make-up of diverse biotic communities using lectures and extensive field experiences. Taught in summer only as a part of the Superior Studies program at the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in northern Minnesota. GE: NST-B, NSL. 201 Topics in Global Environmental Politics Population growth, industrialization, and the consumption of fossil fuels have increased global environrnental problems. The course examines the ways in which nation-states and/or international institutions have addressed these environmental concerns. Depending on the instructor, the focus of the course is either the environmental problems of a particular area (e.g., Latin America, Russia, or Asia) or a broader global arena (e.g., International Institutions and the Enviroment). Counts towards Environmental Studies Concentration, Environmental Studies Major. GE: HBS. 232 Environmental Policy and Regulation This course analyzes environmental regulation in the United States with respect to its historical evolution, its ability to achieve environmental targets, its efficiency or cost-effectiveness, its distributional impact on jobs, people, and industries across the country, and its international ramifications. Class meetings include open discussions with individuals from agencies charged with developing and enforcing environmental regulation. Offered annually. GE: HBS 245 Global Climate Change This course is an interdisciplinary seminar on climate throughout the earth's history, including recent changes caused by humankind. It examines the climate system in the larger framework of planetary evolution, and explores evidence from the geologic record for climates of the past. Using current scientific literature, students investigate causes of climate change and consider scenarios for future climate based on models incorporating alternative global development strategies. Offered annually. GE: NST. 255 Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems Remote sensing and GIS are increasingly used to address basic and applied questions in the environmental sciences and a host of other disciplines. We will survey available remote sensing image types and learn to process (ground-truthing, GPS, scanning, digitizing) and interpret remotely sensed images. We will also learn theory and practice of geographic information systems (basic cartography and spatial statistics). A weekly three-hour laboratory is required. Counts towards Environmental Studies Concentration, Environmental Studies Major. Prerequisites: Environmental Studies 137 or a Level 1 course in biology, chemistry or physics. 258/259 Saving Wild Places The discussion of wilderness today often focuses on non-human benefits, such as the protection of biodiversity or wildlife habitat. A significant tradition of American thought and literature also emphasizes the benefits of wilderness for human beings, including spirituality, freedom, morality, self-reliance, and solitude. This seminar, offered annually, explores the importance of wilderness in American thought and assesses its value for society today. GE: ORC, HWC. 270 Ethics and the American Landscape This seminar-style course develops students' abilities to think systematically about ethical issues in encounters with the American landscape tradition. We study ways Americans have built on the land and have variously worshipped and represented nature in paintings, photographs, and advertisements. Students will learn to read landscapes, to discover how important artistically, religiously, and ecologically the landscape tradition has been in the United States, and to become morally conscious viewers and creators of landscapes. Counts toward Environmental Studies Major, Environmental Studies Concentration, Art Major, Art History Major, and American Studies Concentration. GE: EIN. 294 Internship 298 Independent Study 394 Internship 398 Independent Research 399 Seminar in Environmental Studies A capstone seminar for seniors in the major and concentration, this course involves intensive study of special topics utilizing student research projects and presentations, and relying on the disciplinary expertise gained from their major and courses within the Environmental Studies concentration. Often the topic is a local or regional environmental issue, providing participants with opportunities to interact with government and regulatory agencies and community groups. Prerequisites: Environmental Studies 137, senior status, or permission of the Environmental Studies Director and instructor. Offered Spring Semester. ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES COURSES IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS Natural Sciences
Social Sciences
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