Environmental Studies
Faculty: Louisa
Bradtmiller, Dan Hornbach (Chair), Roopali Phadke, Christopher Wells
Coordinating Committee:
Mark Davis (Biology), James Dawes (English), Jerald Dosch (Biology), Jim
Doyle (Physics & Astronomy), Arjun Guneratne (Anthropology), Keith
Kuwata (Chemistry), Kelly MacGregor (Geology), William Moseley (Geography),
Suzanne Savanick Hansen (College Sustainability Manager), Ping Wang
(English), Sarah West (Economics)
Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary
department based on a holistic understanding of environmental issues
occurring at the local, national, and global level. The department teaches
students to use the tools and perspectives of the humanities, natural
sciences, and social sciences to understand the causes and consequences of
environmental problems and to develop solutions to these problems.
Consistent with Macalester’s mission statement,
which emphasizes internationalism, and in recognition of the global nature
of many environmental issues, the faculty encourages students to
participate in off-campus national and international programs of study and
research.
General Distribution Requirement
Environmental Studies 120, 130, 133, and 285
count toward the general distribution requirement in mathematics and
natural science. Environmental Studies 215, 231, 232, 252, 335, 365, 368,
370 and 477 count toward the general distribution requirement in social
science. Environmental Studies 229, 234, 236, 237, 265, 266, 267, 280, 304,
340, 343, and 345 count toward the distribution requirement in humanities.
General Education Requirements
Courses that meet the general education requirements
in writing, quantitative thinking, internationalism and multiculturalism
will be posted on the Registrar’s web page in advance of registration
for each semester.
Additional information general distribution
requirement and the general education requirements can be found in the
graduation requirements section of this catalog.
Major Requirements
The Environmental Studies major consists of nine–ten courses (40 credits) in
environmental studies and related subjects plus a seven-course emphasis.
Since some double counting of courses is allowed, the total number of
courses must exceed 15 (60 credits).
The ten course requirement is distributed as follows:
Introductory Courses: Must
take two of three
—Environmental Studies 133
(Environmental Science)
—Environmental Studies 215
(Environmental Politics and Policy)
—Environmental Studies 234
(Environmental History)
Required Environmental Studies Courses: Three courses
—Environmental Studies 280
(Environmental Classics): Prerequisite: two of three introductory courses
and typically taken second semester of sophomore year.
—Environmental Studies 489 and
490 (Environmental Leadership Practicum and Seminar) or Environmental
Studies 624 (Internship)
—Environmental Studies 488
(Senior Seminar) or Environmental Studies 477/Geography 488 (Comparative
Environment and Development Studies) or Geography 488 (Urban Geography
Field Seminar) or Environmental Studies 644 (Honors Project in
Environmental Studies).
Distribution Courses: Introductory
Environmental Studies courses may be distributed as follows:
—Two Natural Science courses:
Pre-approved courses include Environmental Studies 120, 130, 133, and 285,
Biology 342 (Animal Behavior and Ecology), Biology 344 (Aquatic Ecology),
Biology 345 (Field Botany), Chemistry 111 (General Chemistry I), Chemistry
112 (General Chemistry II), Chemistry 115 (Accelerated General Chemistry),
Geology 150 (Dynamic Earth and Global Change), Geology 155 (History and
Evolution of the Earth), Geology 260 (Geomorphology), Geology 265
(Sedimentology and Stratigraphy), and Environmental Studies 194, 294, and
394 (natural science topic courses). Other natural science courses require
prior approval by the environmental studies department chair.
—Two Social Science Courses:
Pre-approved courses include Environmental Studies 215, 231, 232, 252, 335,
365, 368, 370, and 477, Economics 119 (Principles of Economics), Geography
111 (Human Geography of Global Issues), and Environmental Studies 194, 294,
and 394 (social science topic courses). Other social science courses
require prior approval by the environmental studies department chair.
—Two Humanities Courses:
Pre-approved courses include Environmental Studies 229, 234, 236, 237, 265,
266, 267, 304, 340, 343, 345, Philosophy 125 (Ethics), and Environmental
Studies 194, 294, and 394 (humanities topic courses). Other humanities
courses require prior approval by the environmental studies department
chair.
The senior capstone requirement in environmental
studies will be satisfied by completing Environmental Studies 488 (Senior
Seminar).
Disciplinary or Interdisciplinary emphasis: Seven courses: Introductory Environmental Studies courses
may not be
counted
Disciplinary Option
—6 courses in a discipline (see
www.macalester.edu/environmentalstudies for specific courses)
*2 must be 300-level courses
*Disciplinary emphasis in departments other than
anthropology, biology, chemistry, economics, geography, geology, history,
philosophy, political science or physics must be approved by the chair.
—1 methods course related to the
focus of the emphasis
Interdisciplinary Option
—6 courses organized around a
clear theme or environmental problem
*2 must be 300-level courses
*All interdisciplinary emphasis plans should be
designed in consultation with members of the environmental studies
department and must be approved by the chair.
*Some examples of interdisciplinary emphasis plans
might be: environmental science, global citizenship, environmental justice,
natural resources management.
—1 methods course related to the
focus of the emphasis
Preapproved emphases can be found on the environmental
studies web site www.macalester.edu/environmentalstudies.
Minor Requirements
Five courses (20 credits) are required for a minor in
environmental studies: two from the introductory sequence (Environmental
Studies 133, 215, or 234) and three additional environmental studies
courses selected in consultation with a department faculty member and
approved by the department chair.
Honors Program
The Environmental Studies Department participates in
the honors program. Eligibility requirements, application procedures, and
specific project expectations for the environmental studies department are
available from either the department office or the Director of Academic
Programs.
Topics Courses
194, 294, 394, 494
Topics are occasional courses, offered by instructors
at their own initiative or in response to student requests. To be announced
at registration. Topics courses, depending on their content, may satisfy
major requirements or college distribution requirements. This will be noted
in the course description available for registration. (4 credits)
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