The Environmental Studies Minor prepares students to understand and respond to the critical environmental challenges of the twenty-first century. With only one earth, whose resources are rapidly being exhausted by an ever-increasing population’s consumption, the vocation of the “good man and good citizen” is to come to a critical understanding of the environmental issues involved and to envision strategic responses of sustainability and trusteeship. Consistent with the interdisciplinary character of Hampden-Sydney College’s liberal arts tradition, the minor draws perspectives on the environment from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. The minor requires students to complete coursework in each division so that they can appreciate the multi-dimensional character of the environment as viewed through scientific, political and economic, literary, and ethical and religious lenses. The minor is coordinated by a steering committee from disciplines which mirror these diverse perspectives.
Students with a particular interest in environmental studies may elect to follow, in addition to the regular academic major, a coherent pattern of courses oriented to the environment. Students are introduced to both the scientific and the humanistic dimensions of environmental issues.
The requirements for the minor are
(a) BIOL 108, PHYS 107, or CHEM 108;
(b) one additional course chosen from PHYS 107, 108; CHEM 105, 108, 110; BIOL 108, 109, 349;
(c) one course chosen from ECON 212 or GVFA 234;
(d) one course chosen from ENGL 199 or RELI 103, 225;
(e) one additional course, from a different department, selected from parts (c) or (d); and
(f ) INDS 372.
No more than two (2) courses may be taken in the same division (Humanities, Natural Science and Mathematics, Social Sciences). With prior approval of the Environmental Studies Steering Committee, students may fulfill part (e) with HIST 299, RHET 360, or RHET 370 provided that the section focuses entirely on environmental issues.
Special Topics (x85) courses on environmental issues may also be used to fulfill parts (b) and (e) with prior approval of the Steering Committee. There are also extracurricular programs and internships.
Contact
Dr. Celia Carroll Jones
Morton Hall, 319
(434) 223-6243
ccarroll@hsc.edu
updated 8/8/23