Academic Advising Resource Center

Environmental Studies

Why take courses in Environmental Studies?

The next generation faces an unprecedented environmental crisis: mitigating and adapting to climate change while developing complex socio-ecological systems to create a sustainable future. These challenges, while daunting, also present tremendous opportunities to construct a world that is more socially just and more resilient. In Oberlin’s Environmental Studies Program, we seek an understanding of the causes and consequences of our environmental predicaments, as well as the creative problem-solving skills to design a more sustainable relationship between humans and the rest of the natural world.

What kinds of questions does Environmental Studies explore?

  • How can we address the pressing environmental challenges of today and tomorrow in a way that is inclusive, equitable and socially just? 

  • What are the economic, social, and environmental challenges facing our communities, towns and cities where more than 80% people in the US reside.?
  • How can we acquire the knowledge and skills of biological conservation and ecosystem management to achieve progress while maintaining the integrity and vitality of nature?
  • How can we become more informed and connected to resource consumption and management to become responsible stewards of the environment and become part of the solution to climate change adaptation and mitigation?
  • What is the environmental history of global, regional and local environmental issues? How can we contextualize these issues in the context of  Indigenous rights, nationhood, and ecological knowledge?
  • How can we envision food systems that are accessible, resilient, and environmentally sustainable?
  • What are the roles of the humanities in fostering environmental literacy and the arts in representing the complexity of human-nature relations?
  • What are the contributions of Indigenous, enslaved, and immigrant peoples to American agricultural practices and foodways?
  • How can we develop the knowledge and skills of environmental policy, politics and social movements to influence and change the political economy of environmental problems and solutions?

 

What advice would you give students interested in Evironmental Studies?

Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary program that investigates and considers solutions for various environmental challenges facing our world through critical thinking, community engagement, and skill development. Our curriculum is driven by individually tailored pathways that cater to individual student interests. Students have many opportunities to explore a topic or subject that they are interested in and passionate about, regardless of their intent to declare a major or minor. Environment and Society (ENVS101) is designed to provide an overview to problems and solutions and to introduce students to core faculty in Environmental studies;  it is a good place to start exploring.

Taking Courses

Courses for non-majors or general interest

  • Environment and Society (ENVS 101).

Getting started in the major

  • Prospective majors are encouraged to take the gateway course, Environment and Society (ENVS 101), during their first year and the core natural science requirements by the end of their sophomore year. In the semester following the major declaration, students are encouraged  to take Introduction to Environmental Humanities (ENVS 201) and Environmental Policy (ENVS208). Students with interest in environmental economics can take Environmental Economics (ECON/ENVS 231) instead of ENVS 208. Principles of Economics (ECON 101) is a prerequisite for ECON/ENVS 231 and should be taken as early as possible by students interested in pursuing economic dimensions of the environment.
  • Environmental Studies (ES) majors are required to complete a “curricular pathway.” A curricular pathway is a course of study that equips an ES major with a depth of knowledge, analytical skills, and experiences related to understanding and addressing a particular topic or subject area. The pathway process includes completing a pathway proposal (ideally by 2nd year), a capstone proposal (by 3rd year) and a pathway report (final semester at Oberlin).
  • Students will have to choose a pathway in ES at the time of major declaration and to complete the ES Major Checklist in consultation with their advisors. Contact the program office if you need help with finding an advisor.

Advanced Placement Credit 

Although ENVS101 places an emphasis on social science, students who score a 5 of AP Environmental Science can choose to bypass this class if they wish. If they do, they are required to take one upper-level ARHU and SSCI elective course in addition to the other major requirements to complete the ES major. Refer to the AP/IB chart for complete information about AP test scores. 

Majoring in Environmental Studies

Provided are two examples of how a student could distribute courses required for the major over three or four years. See the catalog for additional details about major requirements.

Sample Four-Year Plans
  Fall Spring
Y1 ENVS 101 BIOL 103
ECON 101 (if applicable)
Y2 ENVS 2XX
CHEM 051		 One GEOS course
ENVS 201
Y3 ENVS 208/ ECON 231
ENVS 2XX/ 3XX		 Study Away
Y4 ENVS 2XX/ 3XX
One NS/SS/HU course		 ENVS 3XX
  Fall Spring
Y1 BIOL 100
CHEM 101		 ENVS 101
ECON 101 (if applicable)
Y2 ENVS 2XX
BIOL 210/211		 One GEOS course
ENVS 201
Y3 ENVS 208/ ECON 231
ENVS 2XX/ 3XX		 One NS/SS/HU course
Y4 ENVS 2XX/ 3XX ENVS 3XX

 

Related Areas of Study

Anthropology, Biology, Chemistry, Comparative American Studies, Computer Science, Data Science, East Asian Studies, Geosciences, History, Studio Art, Literature, Neuroscience, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Religion, Sociology, Statistics.

Learn More

Environmental Sciences Major Requirements
Environmental Sciences Department