德保爾大學(xué)

The B.A. degree in Environmental Studies provides students with a holistic education on environmental topics that includes the natural and social sciences as well as the humanities. The degree allows students to connect with present and emerging environmental problems in a uniquely interdisciplinary manner, and will prepare them for positions in environmental management and in environmentally themed non-profit organizations, to bring an environmental perspective to any career, as well as preparing them for further studies. The degree is focused on the comprehensive study of human interaction with the natural environment.

The B.A. degree offers students a choice of two concentrations: A standard concentration and a sustainability concentration. Within the sustainability concentration, students can further choose an urban sustainability focus. Students selecting the sustainability concentration will recognize the concept of “sustainability” as a dynamic condition characterized by the interdependency among physical, biological, economic, and social systems.

Students choosing the urban sustainability focus will be able to identify the concepts and methods of environmental economics, environmental politics, ethics, design, and human geography relevant to the sustainability of environmental resources and social institutions in urban settings; as well as recognize and understand the functions of sustainable institutions created for water, land, air, and urban management at multiple spatial and temporal scales.

Learning Outcomes

?Students will be able to:

• Discuss how the four spheres of the natural world (biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and lithosphere) are interconnected for a given environmental issue.
• Demonstrate how humans impact the natural world and how the natural world impacts humans, including in the context of social and environmental justice.
• Identify and communicate the causes of and solutions to environmental issues from the social science, natural science, and humanities perspectives.
• Design, conduct, and evaluate environmental research using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods.