The program of study in Environmental Studies combines a rigorous and diverse set of courses from the social sciences and natural sciences and the humanities to help students develop conceptual and problem solving skills to address global issues that are by nature complex and interdisciplinary. The Environmental Studies major is administered by the Department of Politics, in consultation with the History, Economics and Business, Modern Languages, and Classics Departments.
Internships: Students are encouraged to work with different institutions and agencies in the state and the larger region (e.g., the regional administration of the Environmental Protection Agency in Boston, the N.H. Department of Environmental Services, the Society for Protection of N.H. Forests, the N.H. Chapter of the Audubon Society, or the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Environmental Defense Fund), all of which may engage students in a practical application of their training.
Course Sequence - Class of 2018 and Beyond
Freshman Year
Conversatio I Conversatio II
Freshman English | Environmental Politics
Gen. Biology or Chem. & Society | Microeconomics
LanguageLanguage
In the sophomore year: Environmental Studies majors generally take Theories and Ideologies in Environmental Politics (PO208) in the fall or spring term, and Biosphere at Risk (BI205) and a major elective in the fall or spring term. Depending on initial placement, they may also be completing their modern or classical language requirement. The remainder of their schedules can be filled by other core or major requirements, general electives, or courses for a minor or double major.
In the junior year: Environmental Studies majors generally take International Political Economy (PO232) and a major elective in the fall term. In the spring term they take either PO214 (International Law) or PO224 (International Organization and Global Governance), as well as an major elective. The remainder of their schedules can be filled by other core or major requirements, general electives, or courses for a minor or double major.
In the senior year: Environmental Studies majors take Senior Seminar (PO478) in their fall term. The remainder of their schedules can be filled by other core or major requirements, general electives, or courses for a minor or double major.
The Environmental Studies Minor integrates scientific, political, economic and social aspects of environmental issues. It examines the long-term effects of human action on ecological patterns and processes. The curriculum provides students with the theory necessary to approach and evaluate environmental problems and the tools needed to develop and implement solutions to the problems. Students are encouraged to become actively engaged in their local, regional and global communities.
Major requirements include:
Course Requirements:
Students in the Environmental Studies major must take a minimum of 10 courses, as specified in the requirements below:
Core Courses
Students must complete the following seven core courses in Environmental Studies:
- PO 108 - Environmental Politics
- PO 203 - Political Science Research Methods
- PO 260 - Political Theories of the Environment
- HI 109 - Environmental History
- EC 141 - Principles of Economics: Micro
- BI 205 - Biosphere at Risk
- PO 478 - Senior Seminar
Note
Note: It is assumed that students will take either CH120 or BI101 as their scientific reasoning core requirement.
Major Electives.
Students must complete three of the following courses:
- PO 214 - International Law
- PO 224 - International Organization and Global Governance
- PO 232 - International Political Economy
- BI 320 - Ecology
- BI 328 - Conservation Biology
- BI 329 - Plant Biology
- EC 250 - Environmental Economics
- HI 399 Special Topics: African Environmental History
- SO 343 - Economy and Society
- CL 275 - Introduction to Archaeology
Internships:
Students will be encouraged to work with different institutions and agencies in the state and the larger region, for example, the regional administration of the Environmental Protection Agency (Boston), NH Department of Environmental Services, The Society for Protection of NH Forests, the NH Chapter of the Audubon Society, or the Appalachian Mountain Club, The Environmental Defense Fund, all of which may engage students in a practical application of their training.
