Environmental Studies Curriculum

Goals and Requirements for Majors and Minors

Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary arena of study in the undergraduate curriculum. It centers on understanding relationships between humans and the planet’s life support system. It seeks to develop in students a deep awareness of the complex, highly dynamic nature of the world we inhabit, including interactions among human population, the biological and physical environments, resources, technology, social organization and culture. The portion of the planet we occupy in the Pacific Northwest is exceptionally diverse for its latitude, and affords rich opportunities for study and involvement. Linfield is a member of the Malheur Field Station Consortium, operating a teaching and research facility in the high desert of eastern Oregon.
Addressing environmental issues draws on almost every field in the liberal arts curriculum. An understanding of science, human culture, and public policy is required for adequately resolving environmental problems. For this reason the core of the Environmental Studies major features a cross-disciplinary introductory course sequence, along with requirements in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Thereafter, students select either a science focus or a policy focus. An integrative upper division problem-solving seminar serves as a capstone, drawing together the talents and experiences of students from both the science focus and the policy focus.

Page last updated: December 19, 2005