Environmental Studies Major

Environmental Studies Overview

The environmental studies major is geared toward increasing understanding of the relationship between human action and environmental change. In addition to participating in courses that focus on the science of the environment, students investigate regional, national and international environmental policy and law; the economics of environmental policy; and the cultural perspectives that create understanding of and relationship to the environment.

Requirements

Students must complete 32 units of credit (128 semester hours) to earn a B.A. degree. The requirements for the B.A. degree fall into four categories:

• major area courses-8 units
• courses meeting general distribution requirements-17 units
• elective courses-6 units
• a “perspectives” capstone course-1 unit

The Major

Eight units in the major are required. Transfer students must take at least half the courses in their major areas and all upper-level major requirements at Clark University.

Distribution Requirements

Students are required to take 17 units to meet the general distribution requirement. This requirement is designed to give students a broad liberal arts background in which they can pursue their chosen majors or specialized concentrations. A general outline of courses falling in each discipline may be found preceding the course descriptions. Students should also review all interdepartmental (IDND) courses, many of which fulfill one or more area requirements. The student’s COPACE academic advisor can identify which courses meet particular requirements.

The 17 units must be distributed as follows:

• English/Verbal Expression- two units
• Humanities (these courses must be distributed among at least three disciplines)- six units
• Science/Mathematics (at least one course in each of these disciplines is required)- four units
• Social Sciences (these courses must be distributed among at least three disciplines)- five units

Electives

Six electives are required for the B.A. degree. These elective courses may be selected from the entire spectrum of courses, so that the student may broaden his or her knowledge. One course must be taken in computer/information science. Students who are already computer literate may have this requirement waived by the associate dean.

Perspectives Course

In the senior or graduating year, degree candidates are required to take a “perspectives” course.  Since perspective courses vary from year to year, students should consult with their academic advisors. Current perspective course must be international in their focus.

Note that these requirements are the same for any B.A. major. Requirements for B.S. majors are different.