Environmental Studies Catalog Information
An Interdisciplinary Program Programs offered • Major in Environmental Studies (Environmental Sciences Concentration) (48 to 56 credits) • Major in Environmental Studies (Contract Concentration) (32 to 40 credits) • Minor in Environmental Studies (20 credits) Concordia College seeks to promote and support ecological literacy for all students and to prepare majors and minors for graduate study or for employment in government, business and nonprofit organizations. Colleges and universities are in a particularly strong position to affect changes in personal and social habits regarding the environment. Because of this, government, business and other concerns are looking to environmental studies programs to provide graduates who can understand the mix of voices and agendas in any environmental debate, and who can develop and articulate solutions. To understand this mix, the environmental studies program is interdisciplinary, aimed at basic knowledge of the connected structures and processes of nature and culture. It nourishes the capacity to care about creation. It provides practical skills to think and act in competent and responsible ways. The program is administered by a special faculty committee. Each student seeking the major or minor should contact the program chair for advisement in planning an environmental studies program. Concordia College is a member of the Superior Studies Consortium and offers a variety of classes at the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, Minnesota. Major in Environmental Studies with an Environmental Sciences Concentration The requirements for a major in environmental studies with an environmental sciences concentration are 48 to 56 credits, depending on electives chosen: • ENVR 103 – Ecosystems and Human Influence, 4 credits • ENVR 280 – Geographic Information Systems, 4 credits • PSYC 230 – Statistics and Psychological Measurement, 4 credits OR MATH 205 – Introduction to Statistics, 4 credits • ENVR 302, ESC 302 – Geology, 4 credits • 4 credits from the following organismal (or upper-level field) courses: – BIOL 309 – Ornithology, 4 credits – BIOL 311 – Entomology, 4 credits – BIOL 313 – Plant Taxonomy, 4 credits – BIOL 324 – Invertebrate Zoology, 4 credits – BIOL 407 – Freshwater Ecology, 4 credits • REL 348 – Environmental Ethics, 4 credits • 4 credits from the following upper-level policy courses: – ECON 320 – Energy, Environment and Economics, 4 credits. Prerequisite: ECON 201 – Principles of Economics – PSC 365 – Global Issues, 4 credits – PSC 393 – Public Policy, 4 credits. Prerequisite: PSC 111 – People in Politics OR PSC 211 – U.S. Political System – SOC 312, ECON 312 – Global Development Issues, 4 credits • ENVR 380 – Conservation Biology, 4 credits • BIOL 221 – Ecology, 4 credits. Prerequisite: BIOL 122 – Evolution and Diversity only • ENVR 475 – Interdisciplinary Research, 4 credits Additional required supporting courses: • BIOL 122 – Evolution and Diversity, 4 credits • CHEM 111 – Survey of General Chemistry, 4 credits OR CHEM 127 – General Chemistry I AND CHEM 128 – General Chemistry II, 4 credits each Major in Environmental Studies with a Contract Concentration The requirements for a major in environmental studies with a contract concentration are 32 to 40 credits depending on the course of study designed by the student and approved by the program faculty: • ENVR 103 – Ecosystems and Human Influence, 4 credits • REL 348 – Environmental Ethics, 4 credits • 20 to 28 credits proposed by the student as a course of study in environmental studies, along with a rationale describing how the courses meet the student’s goals and the learning objectives of the environmental studies program – subject to approval by the environmental studies program faculty • ENVR 475 – Interdisciplinary Research, 4 credits Minor in Environmental Studies The requirements for a minor in environmental studies are 20 credits: • ENVR 103 – Ecosystems and Human Influence, 4 credits • REL 348 – Environmental Ethics, 4 credits • 12 credits from the following: – ENVR 280 – Geographic Information Systems, 4 credits – ENVR 302, ESC 302 – Geology, 4 credits – BIOL 221 – Ecology, 4 credits. Prerequisite: BIOL 122 only – ECON 320 – Energy, Environment and Economics, 4 credits – BIOL 309 – Ornithology, 4 credits OR BIOL 311 – Entomology, 4 credits OR BIOL 313 – Plant Taxonomy, 4 credits OR BIOL 324 – Invertebrate Zoology, 4 credits – BIOL 407 – Freshwater Ecology, 4 credits – PSC 365, HIST 365 – Global Issues, 4 credits OR PSC 393 – Public Policy, 4 credits – ENVR 380 – Conservation Biology, 4 credits – ENVR 475 – Interdisciplinary Research, 4 credits Other program courses such as ENVR 300 – May Seminar, ENVR 380 – Special Topics, ENVR 390 – Cooperative Education and ENVR 480 – Independent Study may be substituted for courses in the above lists for either a major or minor with prior written approval of the environmental studies faculty committee.
Environmental Studies Courses
ENVR 101 A – Environmental Studies, 4 credits. E. This course explores questions of resources, population growth, efficient energy use, conservation, environmental quality, waste disposal and other related topics from a scientific and quantitative perspective. Also examines appropriate attitudes for living responsibly in harmony with the environment.
ENVR 103 G, N, A – Ecosystems and Human Influence, 4 credits. E. Consideration of basic ecological principles and human influences on ecosystems, emphasizing major environmental problems.
ENVR 250 – Pre-May Seminar, 2 credits. D.
ENVR 300 – May Seminar, 4 credits. MS.
ENVR 302, ENVR 302 – Geology, 4 credits. E2. A study of the structure of the earth, its dynamic nature, the processes of its formation and the forces changing it. A brief introduction to historical geology and regional geomorphology is included. Laboratory sessions will emphasize the study and identification of rocks and minerals, interpretation of land forms and geological maps, a lapidary project, and a survey of the fossil record. A field trip to western North Dakota, eastern Montana and the Black Hills region of South Dakota is an integral part of this course. Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week
ENVR 312 H, X – Global Development Issues, 4 credits. Students are introduced to the social scientific approaches used to understand how demographic, institutional, cultural, economic and ecological factors influence, and are influenced by, societal development. Comparative case studies enable students to understand the structure and dynamics (e.g., population change) of human populations as they relate to socioeconomic development.
ENVR 380 – Special Topics, 2 to 4 credits. D. Courses covering various topics of interest in this particular discipline are offered regularly. Contact department or program chair for more information.
ENVR 390 – Cooperative Education, 2 to 4 credits. D.
ENVR 475 – Interdisciplinary Research, 4 credits. E2. This course examines and applies principles of interdisciplinary research on currently relevant environmental topics of interest to the class. This class is a seminar and is intended to serve as a capstone course for the program.
ENVR 480 – Independent Study, 1 to 4 credits. D. This course provides an opportunity for individual students to conduct in-depth research of a particular topic under the direct supervision of a faculty member. Contact the department or program chair for more information.
Course Catalog
