Program Overview

The environmental studies program takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the environment, integrating perspectives from the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, and applies these perspectives to environmental issues ranging from global warming to the ethics of sport hunting to the environmental costs of our lifestyle choices. Because environmental problems and their potential solutions do not stop at disciplinary boundaries, the program teaches students to approach a particular topic not simply as a question of biology, politics, or theology, but rather to combine these (and many more) perspectives to better understand environmental issues in all their complexity. Particularly important to this process is the inclusion of social science and humanities viewpoints, as even the most technical solutions to environmental problems must be implemented by individuals working within cultural, political, and economic contexts.

Currently twenty faculty from over fifteen different academic departments contribute courses to the program; students also have access to professional staff from the St. John’s Arboretum, Land Management, Environmental Health and Safety, and other appropriate campus offices. The unique ecological resources of our two campuses include nearly 3,000 acres of deciduous forests, coniferous forests, restored oak savanna, tall grass prairie, wetlands, and a diversity of large and small lakes. This setting, which is carefully managed in the tradition of Benedictine stewardship, provides a wealth of opportunities for the hands-on exploration of environmental issues as well as venues for outdoor recreation and reflection.

Students majoring or minoring in environmental studies come from a wide range of backgrounds and areas of interest, but all share an essential curiosity about and concern for the environment. The interdisciplinary nature of the program requires students to hone their skills in reading, writing, critical thinking, quantitative analysis, and argumentation to become well-rounded thinkers adept at developing and expressing reasoned opinions not only about environmental issues, but in all aspects of their intellectual lives. Experiential learning components are included in many courses, including service learning projects, field studies, and a required internship for majors. A variety of co-curricular and volunteer activities offer students interested in environmental education, outdoor recreation, environmental activism, sustainability practices, and other related topics frequent opportunities to directly connect with others who share their environmental interests, often alongside faculty and staff affiliated with the program. Majors and minors in environmental studies pursue a wide range of careers, not only in environmental fields but in many other professions for which a traditional liberal arts education serves as preparation; many also go on to advanced study in related fields such as environmental law, public policy, landscape architecture, and environmental education. Complete information on the environmental studies program.

Assessment

A extensive survey of environmental knowledge and attitudes is administered annually to students taking the program’s entry and capstone courses, providing data by which to assess student academic development at the typical entry and exit points of the program. All major/minors participate in the ENVR 395: Research Seminar, which produces a written report and other outreach materials that are formally assessed each year by the Advisory Committee and other program faculty as appropriate.