The Environmental Studies Concentration provides an interdisciplinary framework for understanding the interactions of individuals, societies, and the natural world. The concentration brings together the different perspectives of the humanities, life sciences, physical sciences, and social sciences. The academic program is enhanced by the 450-acre Brown Family Environmental Center (BFEC). The BFEC, within walking distance of campus, features a wide range of natural and managed habitats and includes part of the Kokosing River (one of Ohio's State Scenic Rivers). In addition, Kenyon encourages students to think in more global terms through affiliations with the School for Field Studies (which provides classes in Australia, British West Indies, Costa Rica, Kenya, and Mexico) and the Organization for Tropical Studies, as well as through off-campus study opportunities like the Duke University Marine Laboratory and the Semester in Environmental Science at Woods Hole. Our goals are to increase basic knowledge in the relevant subjects and to learn techniques for evaluating complex issues, especially those with both technological and social components.

The implications of our interaction with the environment extend well beyond either natural or social sciences, however, as ethics and aesthetics are integral to those interactions. Consequently, the concentration in environmental studies knits together many traditional academic disciplines. In addition, the concentration can be integrated with a major in international studies, an interdisciplinary program.

First-Year and New Students

Students interested in ENVS are encouraged to take ENVS 112 in their first year. Other appropriate courses for first-year or new students include BIOL 106, BIOL 115, CHEM 108, or ECON 101 . Other introductory courses in affiliated departments may be taken as interests dictate.

The Curriculum

The environmental studies program consists of four components: a one-semester introductory course, ENVS 112 (.5 unit); three semester courses in "core" subjects (biology, chemistry, and economics, for 1.5 units); a selection of 1.5 units (three courses) from affiliated courses in at least two departments; and a one-semester capstone seminar, ENVS 461 (.5 unit). The concentration requires a total of 4 units. Affiliated courses are offered in anthropology, biology, chemistry, economics, philosophy, physics, political science, religious studies, and sociology.

Concentration Requirements

Required Environmental Studies Courses: 1 unit

ENVS 112 (.5 unit) Introduction to Environmental Studies
ENVS 461 (.5 unit) Seminar in Environmental Studies

Core Courses in Environmental Studies: 1.5 units

BIOL 115 (.5 unit) Energy in Living Systems (BIOL 106 can serve as a replacement)

CHEM 108 (.5 unit) Solar Energy (CHEM 110, 121, or 122 can serve as a replacement)

ECON 101 (.5 unit) Principles of Microeconomics

Elective Courses for Environmental Studies: 1.5 units selected from the following courses:

Anthropology courses
ANTH 111 Introduction to Biological Anthropology
ANTH 320 Anthropology of Food
ANTH 324 Biocultural Adaptations
ANTH 333 Old World Archaeology

Biology courses
BIOL 228, 229 Ecology and Ecology Laboratory
BIOL 251 Marine Biology
BIOL 352, 353 Aquatic Systems Biology and Aquatic Systems Laboratory

Chemistry courses
CHEM 125 Nanoscience and Materials Chemistry
CHEM 231, 232 Organic Chemistry I and lab
CHEM 341 Instrumental Analysis

Economics courses
ECON 336 Environmental Economics
ECON 342 Economics of Regulation
ECON 347 Economics of the Public Sector

Environmental studies courses
ENVS 150 Environmental Geology
ENVS 251 Field Experience: Environmental Outreach
ENVS 253 Sustainable Agriculture
ENVS 261 Geographic Information Science

Philosophy courses
PHIL 110 Introduction to Ethics
PHIL 115 Practical Issues in Ethics

Physics course
PHYS 108 Geology

Political science courses
PSCI 361 Globalization
PSCI 363 Global Environmental Politics
PSCI 480 Science and Politics

Religious studies course
RLST 481 Religion and Nature

Sociology courses
SOCY 233 Sociology of Food
SOCY 477Y-478Y Fieldwork: Rural Life

Transfer Credit Policy

A maximum of two courses may be taken off-campus. Students planning to take a course for transfer credit should consult a codirector of the concentration in advance.

Because careful course selection is necessary to achieve specific objectives, students are urged to consult as early as possible with a program codirector and other faculty members in the Environmental Studies Concentration.