Environmental Studies
The Environmental Studies Program seeks to create a learning environment that fosters an understanding of the causes and consequences of our environmental predicaments, as well as help our students develop the creative problem-solving skills to design a more sustainable relationship between humans and the rest of the natural world.
Why Study Environmental Studies at Oberlin?
Ecolympics
Each year in April, residence halls, co-ops, and city K-12 public schools battle it out during Ecolympics to see who can most reduce electricity and water use. This two-week competition and event series raises awareness and prompts action regarding sustainability efforts.
Sample Courses
- ENVS 230 - Environmental Justice and Local Knowledge 4 credits
- ENVS 323 - Seminar: Global Environmental Politics 4 credits
- ENVS 340 - Systems Modeling: Systems Thinking 4 credits
- ENVS 390 - Sustainable Cities 4 credits
Environmental Studies Faculty
Our faculty are both scholars and teachers who are engaged in research, writing, and teaching. Their subject matters run the gamut: from climate change, systems ecology, and natural resources and conflict, to indigenous environmental issues, environmental justice, and urban sustainability. Committed to undergraduate education, they teach everything from introductory courses to advanced seminars.
Explore Faculty within Environmental StudiesEnvironmental Studies Faculty
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Paul Brehm
Assistant Professor of Economics and Environmental Studies -
Cheryl Cottine
Assistant Professor of Religion -
Matthew (Matt) Elrod
Robert and Eleanor Biggs Professor of Natural Science and Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry -
Janet Fiskio
Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and Comparative American Studies -
Cynthia (Cindy) Frantz
Professor of Psychology and Environmental Studies -
Jennifer Fraser
Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology and Anthropology -
Karla Hubbard
Professor of Geology -
Roger Laushman
Associate Professor of Biology and David Orr Associate Professor of Environmental Studies -
Carl McDaniel
Visiting Professor of Environmental Studies -
T. S. McMillin
Professor of English -
Thomas (Tom) Newlin
Professor of Russian -
Karl Offen
Professor of Environmental Studies -
Christie Parris
Assistant Professor of Sociology -
Swapna Pathak
Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies -
John Petersen ’88
Paul Sears Professor of Environmental Studies and Biology -
Chie Sakakibara
Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies -
Md Rumi Shammin
Associate Professor of Environmental Studies -
Ann Sherif
Professor of Japanese
Environmental Studies News
