Environmental Studies Major
www.shu.edu/academics/artsci/ba-environmental-studies
Director: Thomas Rzeznik, Ph.D.
The Environmental Studies Program is dedicated to the rigorous interdisciplinary education of its students, to the integration of the principles of sustainability into the curriculum and campus life, to experiential learning, and to ongoing ethical considerations of pressing environmental issues. As a major Catholic university, Seton Hall seeks to make significant contributions to sustainability efforts in New Jersey and the region. Questions are framed in the context of social justice and a broad understanding of the Catholic intellectual tradition. Students are challenged by outstanding faculty and work in evolving and technologically-advanced settings. The program prepares students to be leaders in their professional lives and responsible citizens of a global society that is facing immense challenges of limited resources and global climate change.
Environmental studies prepares students to lead the transition to a more environmentally, economically and socially sustainable society, one that balances the needs of the present with those of future generations. Environmental studies provides a multidisciplinary opportunity for the study of the complex relationships between human society and the natural environment, and the environmental consequences that human policies and actions have on our communities and individual lives. The course of study challenges students to understand environmental issues from various disciplinary perspectives, stressing the use of critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving and effective communication. Students benefit from on-campus and extracurricular events with environmental experts regarding specific environmental issues.
The environment protects and sustains life, yet the unrestrained use of the earth’s resources causes problems that affect all humankind. The broad-based acceptance of this statement is producing profound economic and political changes in society at large. This is a topic that transcends several disciplines. Courses in environmental studies are taught by faculty drawn from disciplines across the university, including natural sciences, economics, social sciences, philosophy, history and literature. These courses are rigorous within their traditional disciplines, from natural sciences to political science, philosophy, economics, management and sociology.
Partial scholarships include the Landsberger Foundation Scholarship awarded annually through an essay competition.
The Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies includes three tracks: public policy, education, and supply chain management. The education track offers a double major in environmental studies and elementary education with an option for Middle School science certification. The supply chain management track includes a certificate from the Stillman School of Business in Supply Chain Management.
Minors in environmental studies and environmental science are also offered. The Minor in Environmental Studies complements any major, and the Minor in Environmental Sciences is designed for students majoring in the natural sciences.
Link to College Core requirement.
Required Courses for all Tracks
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| ENVL 1011 | Introduction to Environmental Studies | 3 |
| ECON 1402 | Principles of Economics I | 3 |
| ENVL/PHIL 2115 | Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| ENVL/BIOL 2122 | Introduction to Ecology | 4 |
| Earth or Physical Science | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Geology | ||
| Fundamentals of Geography | ||
| Intro to Physical Science | ||
| Natural Science | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Biology * | ||
| Biology in the World Around Us * | ||
| Chemistry and the World Around Us - An Integrative Approach * | ||
| Capstone | ||
| ENVL 5050 | Senior Capstone | 3 |
| Tracks | ||
| Select one of the following: | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 37-38 | |
- *
Satisfies the A&S Core Curriculum requirements.
Tracks:
Environmental Education Track
For students interested in enhancing public awareness of environmental issues through schools, non-profit organizations and community-based organizations
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One additional physical science course * | 3 | |
| One additional natural science course * | 3 | |
| ENVL 4511 | Practicum in Environmental Studies ** | 3 |
| EDST 4001 | Senior Internship | 6 |
| Two ENVL electives | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
- *
Select from the list of required courses.
- **
Waived for students who complete student teaching EDST 4001 Senior Internship.
Environmental Policy Track
For students interested in developing skills for work in the public sector: local, regional, national and international levels.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENVL/POLS 2910 | Research Methods for Social Sciences | 3 |
| ENVL 3014 | Ecology and Politics | 3 |
| POLS 1111 | 3 | |
| Select two ENVL electives from the list below | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Supply Chain Management Track
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BQUA 2812 | Quantitative Decision Making | 3 |
| BITM 3732 | Enterprise Resource Planning Systems | 3 |
| BITM 3741 | Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Enterprise-Wide Accounting Information Systems II | ||
| Sales and Personal Selling | ||
| Negotiation | ||
| Procurement Management | ||
| One additional ENVL Elective Course | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
ENVL Elective Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 1421 | Writing for the Media | 3 |
| DIPL 3201 | Sustainable Development | 3 |
| ENGL 3426 | Literature and Nature | 3 |
| ENGL 3514 | Scientific and Technical Writing | 3 |
| ENVL 2311/ANTH 2321 | Population, Ecology, and the Environment | 3 |
| ENVL/HIST 2321 | Environmental History of the United States | 3 |
| ENVL 2910 | Research Methods for Social Sciences | 3 |
| ENVL/POLS 3014 | Ecology and Politics | 3 |
| ENVL 3050 | Sustainable Food Systems | 3 |
| ENVL 3051 | Selected Topics in Environmental Studies | 3 |
| ENVL 3052 | Selected Topics in Environmental Studies | 3 |
| ENVL 3053 | Special Topics: Environ St | 3 |
| ENVL 3054 | ST - Envl Systems-Technologies | 3 |
| ENVL 3059 | ST NJ Environmental Nonprofits | 3 |
| ENVL 3150 | Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| ENVL/CORE 3200 | Engaging the World: Sustainability in the Marine Environment | 3 |
| ENVL/CORE/PHIL 3592 | Human and the Natural World: Ideas that Matter | 3 |
| ENVL 3593 | Permaculture Design | 3 |
| ENVL 3594 | * | 1 |
| ENVL 4111 | Reading and Writing Tutorial in Environmental Studies | 1 |
| ENVL 4112 | Reading and Writing Tutorial in Environmental Studies | 2 |
| ENVL 4113 | Reading and Writing Tutorial in Environmental Studies | 3 |
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