Environmental Studies Concentration
OVERVIEW
The Environmental Studies (ENVSTD) Concentration fulfills one of Soka University of America’s founding principles: to “foster leaders for the creative coexistence of nature and humanity.”
The complex problem of how humans can sustainably live on the planet requires a broad, multidisciplinary approach, one that a liberal arts background is well suited to deliver.
Our Concentration provides students with a foundation in the scientific understanding of the environment, as well as the social, cultural, economic, and technological forces that shape human relations with the environment.
Students concentrating in Environmental Studies will be prepared to address the full range of environmental issues through a coherent study of environmental problems and solutions. To fulfill the Concentration requirements, students must take five concentration courses, three of which must be at the 300 or 400 level, and complete a capstone project. Students are able to fulfill their concentration requirements in either a focused or broad fashion from course offerings within the fields of earth and ocean sciences, ecology, environmental management and policy, environmental planning and practice, geography, and through courses cross-listed from other Concentrations.
Our goal is to present students with a positive learning environment that encourages the creative, responsible, interdisciplinary, and independent thinking necessary for understanding and effectively responding to local, regional, and global environmental challenges. The Environmental Studies Concentration at SUA can be an effective preparation for graduate school and environmental careers in government, consulting, advocacy organizations, and business. Students may progress to careers in environmental law, public health, medicine, economics, environmental research, urban and regional planning, geospatial analysis, sustainability management, renewable energy, environmental management, and resource management.
When Environmental Studies students graduate, they are able to:
- Demonstrate and communicate an understanding of environmental studies,
- Demonstrate the ability to research topics in environmental studies,
- Apply their understanding of environmental studies in their professional and personal futures.
Classes
ECOL 330 : Fish Biology
Units
4Prerequisites
any BIO, ECOL, EOS, or CHEM course, or consent of instructor.
ECOL 370 : Terrestrial Plant Ecology
Units
4ECOL 402 : Aquatic Conservation
Units
3Prerequisites
Any BIO, ECOL, EOS, or CHEM course, or consent of instructor.
ECOL 435 : Alien Invaders
Units
3Prerequisites
any BIO, ECOL, EOS, or CHEM course, or consent of instructor.
ECOL 444 : Ecological Methods
Units
3Prerequisites
any BIO, ECOL, EOS, or CHEM course, or consent of instructor.
EMP 320 : Environmental Planning and Practice
Units
3EMP 325 : Public and Environmental Health Policy
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3EMP 330 : Sustainable Cities
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3EMP 335 : Cities and the Environment in the Global South
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3EMP 340 : Environmental Movements
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3EMP 350 : Environmental Policy
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3EMP 380 : Environmental Law
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3EMP 400 : Environmental Management
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3EMP 410 : International and Comparative Environmental Policy
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3EMP 430 : Urban Planning and the Built Environment
Units
3Prerequisites
Instructor Consent Required.
ENVST 170 : Environmental Ethics
Units
3ENVST 215 : Music and Ecology: Studies in Interconnection
Units
3ENVST 360/ECON 360 : Environmental Economics
This upper division course combines theory and policy application in studying environmental issues from an economist’s perspective. Major topics include theoretical and applied modeling of economy-environment relations, causes and consequences of market failure affecting environmental services, design and evaluation of environmental policy instruments, and the political economy of environmental policy. Students will learn to identify the economic components of an environmental issue, analyze the effects of human economic activity on the environment, and to present and discuss the pros and cons of various environmental policies.
Units
3Prerequisites
ECON 100/INTS 100.
EOS 280 : Sustainable Agriculture and Gardening
Units
3EOS 322 : Water Resources
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4EOS 402 : Climate Change
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3GEOG 110 : Regional Geography of the Pacific Rim
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3GEOG 250 : Physical Geography
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4GEOG 350 : Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
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4GEOG 400 : Advanced Geographic Information Systems
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3Prerequisites
GEOG 350 or similar course.
GEOG 440 : Biogeography
Units
3Prerequisites
any BIO, ECOL, EOS, or CHEM course, or consent of instructor.
CAPSTONE 390
This is a 1 unit P/NP course where students will select and work with a faculty mentor to complete a proposal for the capstone research project.
Units
1CAPSTONE 400 : Capstone I
All SUA students participate in a capstone research project over the last block and semester of their senior year. This research project is intended to be a culminating experience, drawing upon the skills and expertise that they have developed during their career at SUA. Each student works with a faculty mentor to propose, develop, and carry out a research project. Students meet regularly with their capstone mentor for support and feedback.
Units
4Prerequisites
Senior standing. CAPSTONE 390. Instructor Consent Required. This course cannot be taken on a P/NP basis.
CAPSTONE 450 : Capstone II
Continues Capstone I. All SUA students will participate in a capstone research project over the last block and semester of their senior year. This research project will be a culminating experience, drawing upon the skills and expertise that they have developed during their career at SUA. Each student will work with a faculty mentor to propose, develop and carry out a research project. Students will meet regularly with their capstone mentor for support and feedback.
Units
4Prerequisites
Senior Standing or CAPSTONE 390. Instructor consent required. This course cannot be taken on a P/NP basis.