Environmental Studies Major

Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary study that centers on the relationships between humans and the planet Earth. It seeks to help students develop a deep awareness of the complex, highly dynamic nature of the world we inhabit, including interactions among human populations, the biological and physical environments, resources, technology, social organization and culture.

The Environmental Studies Department has 2 full time faculty and a lab coordinator.

We offer a major in Environmental Studies with three focus areas so students can specialize more in one area; we also offer a minor in Environmental Studies.

Students in the major choose from one of two focus areas:

• Environmental Science
• Environmental Policy
• Environmental Humanities

All students in Environmental Studies take a core of courses including Environmental Science, Environmental Governance, and the full year senior capstone sequence (Environmental Research and Environmental Project).

In each focus, students select from a variety of social science and science electives. Students in both areas also take a course in research methods in the environmental sciences, as well as an upper-division problem solving seminar that serves as the capstone. The major is available as a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree.

The ENVS faculty are committed to giving our students hands on learning experiences, especially in the capstone sequence, in collaboration with community partners such as the Greater Yamhill Watershed Council and the Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District. 

Goals for the Major and Minor

In successfully completing a major in Environmental Studies, graduates will have demonstrated the ability to:

• Select appropriate methods and correctly apply them in investigating specific environmental problems at local, regional, and/or global scales.
• Critically examine the values, assumptions and contexts that organize human communities and their relationships with the biosphere.
• Integrate multiple disciplinary perspectives to critically and creatively analyze, and recommend action on, complex environmental issues.
• Effectively communicate environmental information to diverse audiences.