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The minor in environmental studies is an interdisciplinary program linked
to a disciplinary major. The program is designed to broaden an understanding
of both environmental science and policy. The program examines scientific,
economic, political, cultural, and ethical concepts regarding the complex
relationships between the natural world and the human modified world
in order to ensure a sustainable society for future generations. Students
will be prepared for careers in the public and private sectors or graduate
studies. The student's major field of study develops the disciplinary
skills of inquiry and analysis, and the minor complements the major by
providing the integration of approaches to address environmental issues.
The following interdisciplinary core of courses is
required:
- ES 150 Introduction to Environmental Studies
- BI 411 General Ecology or BI 314 Conservation Biology
- EC 340 Economics of Natural Resources and the Environment
- PL 307 Environmental Ethics
- PS 250 The Public Policy Process or PY 220 Environment and Behavior
- Senior Capstone Experience (This experience must be supervised by
a faculty member in the student's major field of study and
must be approved
by
a faculty member teaching in the environmental studies
minor. The requirement may be met through the student's senior interim,
an independent
study,
or an approved internship, each with an environmental emphasis.)
Courses used to fulfill environmental studies minor requirements may count towards major requirements in BI, EC, PL, PS, and PY.
The set of courses required in the minor comprises the essential components
of an interdisciplinary environmental studies program. In addition to
these courses, students are encouraged to apply knowledge learned in
other courses to the examination of environmental issues. In particular,
further study in the natural sciences, in chemistry, field biology, or
physics, and economics, specifically, microeconomic theory and applications,
would provide greater depth to the knowledge acquired in the environmental
studies minor.
Additional courses recommended for the environmental
studies minor:
- BI 206 Field Botany
- BI 322
Vertebrate
Field Zoology
- CH 101 Introductory Chemistry
- CS 170 Introduction to Computing
- EC 202 Principles of Economics II
As a supplement to a disciplinary
major, the minor in Latin American Studies provides a multi faceted
preparation
for a wide range of careers
in the public and private sectors. To facilitate the student’s
understanding of the importance of Latin America on the global stage,
the minor provides a broad based study of language and literature, history,
politics, and culture. The goal of the LAS minor is to heighten the student’s
awareness and knowledge of the complexities of Latin America as a region
and the vast diversity of Latinos living in the United States. Ideally
students who minor in Latin American Studies will travel to Latin America
at some point during their undergraduate coursework. The College offers
a variety of opportunities for study abroad, international internships,
and even scholarship aid for such travels through its Office of International
Programs.
Consistent with the College’s
policies for an academic minor, no courses counted toward the major
may be counted toward the Latin American
Studies minor unless specifically exempted from this exclusion. A minor
in Latin American Studies requires 6 units distributed as follows:
Minor Requirements
The following courses are required (6 units):
- SN 270 or equivalent (This requirement may be waived through a proficiency exam.)
- two units from the following interdisciplinary core of courses:
- Historical Component (1 unit):
- History 260 Social History of Latin America
- Political Component (1 unit):
- PS 240 Introduction to Latin American Politics
- three additional elective units from the arts, history, literature, or social studies from the following:
- EH 395 Contemporary International Fiction
- HI 261 Modern Latin America and the Revolutionary Tradition
- LAS 200 Seminar in Latin American Studies
- MU 126 Music of the World’s People ( Latin America: Spring term of odd-numbered years)
- PS 366 Politics of Mexico and Central America
- SN 350 Latinos in the United States
- SN 365 Latin American Civilization
- SN 370 Special Topics in Culture (when taught on a Latin American topic, such as Latin American Films or Human Rights in Latin America)
- SN 402 Panorama of Latin American Literature
- SN 495 Special Topics in Literature (when taught on a Latin American topic)
- A list of additional electives may be obtained from the program coordinator.
Interdisciplinary Courses
Interdisciplinary courses are either cross-, multi-, or interdisciplinary in nature. They are offered under the following designations:
- Arts/Humanities (AH)
- Environmental Studies (ES)
- Fine Arts (FN)
- Humanities (HM)
- Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS)
- Latin American Studies (LAS)
- Natural Sciences, Math, Computer Science (NSM)
- Social & Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
Interdisciplinary courses
ES 150 Introduction to Environmental Studies (1)
An interdisciplinary introduction to the complexities of environmental problems. The course provides an overview of scientific knowledge on ecology and environmental management and examines political, economic, and ethical issues involved in the attainment of a sustainable future. The course explores how an understanding of the natural and social sciences is necessary to address and solve environmental problems. Selected topics, including population growth, food shortages, pollution containment, and energy resources, are addressed. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. The course is a required course in the environmental studies minor. (Satisfies Disciplinary Foundations requirement in lab science.) Spring.
FN 145 Close Encounters of the Art Kind (1 )
Engages learners in several basic issues in which visual art and music play a part, in an intense, and perhaps even subjective, way. Previous topics have included definitions of art, designations of value and taste, functions of art and the social role of the artist, and ethical questions regarding censorship and the freedom of expression. The course is designed to be "hands on," and will include a great deal of student participation, from in-class discussions and presentations to trips to local museums, music clubs, and galleries.
HM 101 For the Love of Books: The History and Significance of Books and Reading (1)
A shared exploration of the history and future of the book, and of what it means to be literate. In addition to reading about the role of the book in society, the class selects and reads several books of different genres; each student chooses one book to study in greater depth. Students also participate in a service-learning project related to literacy.Spring.
IDS 100 Infomania: Creating, Managing, and Seeking Information in the Twenty-first Century (1)
A study of the information life cycle (creation, dissemination, organization, and use of information) and the impact of current information technologies on the cycle and its participants. Provides a forum for discussing the effects of technological change on society, as well as a practical introduction to various tools and strategies for creating, locating, and using information. Students will be expected to develop an annotated bibliography on an appropriate topic, and to apply their technological skills to an information-related project in the community.
IDS 323 Human Sexuality (1)
Biological, sociological, psychological, and ethical aspects of human sexuality. Course content will include a biological overview; an examination of behavioral variations; research in sexuality, social issues, sexual decision making, sexuality of special populations; and exploration of contemporary sexual issues. Interim, Summer.
LAS 200 Seminar in Latin American Studies (1)
An interdisciplinary seminar in Latin American Studies taught by a faculty member with a specialty in the area. The focus of the seminar will change each time it is offered: for example, topics include the dictator in Latin America, the role of the family, women in Latin America (an IC designated course). Prerequisites: sophomore standing and EH 102. Spring.
SBS 105 World Regional Geography: Discovering the World Around You (1)
A study of the major regions of the world—Europe, Middle East, Asia, the Pacific, Africa, and America—with emphasis on the connections between location, population, distributions, problems, potentialities, existing relations and organizations among the countries of the world. (Does not fulfill the Disciplinary Foundations requirement in the social and behavioral sciences.) Spring.
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