Environmental Studies
Environmental studies situates environmental problems and solutions in a scholarly context, working alongside other academic disciplines to build a more livable world. The field crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries, as a deeper understanding of environmental problems and solutions requires attention to a wide range of concepts and analytical methods that span the sciences and humanities. Our students master contemporary scholarship on environmental problems and solutions, develop cutting-edge computer and analytical skills, and demonstrate leadership in applying relevant scholarship and skills toward the environmental issues of today and tomorrow.
The educational objective of the Environmental Studies Program is to provide resources and cultivate an atmosphere whereby students (1) appreciate the intellectual and practical complexities of environmental problems and solutions, (2) master key concepts and methods of environmental analysis drawn from, and integrating, a broad range of disciplines, and (3) fuse this background knowledge and analytical ability with leadership and communication skills to successfully devise and implement creative, academically grounded solutions to environmental problems.
The Environmental Studies Program benefits from the participation of many departments in the College of Arts and Sciences, as well as the law school and Graduate School of Education and Counseling. We offer students opportunities for environmental research, internships, and engagement on campus, in nearby locations such as Tryon Creek State Natural Area and the Portland metropolitan area, in the greater Pacific Northwest, and throughout the world in conjunction with Lewis & Clark's Overseas and Off-Campus Programs. The Environmental Studies Program thus combines intellectual rigor and breadth with practical experience in a vibrant, transdisciplinary field of scholarly inquiry.
A major in environmental studies is appropriate for students who desire future employment in the environmental arena and/or want a broad, systematic liberal arts background to support further scholarly study in related natural science, social science, and humanities fields.
The Major Program
The major includes core courses in environmental studies and breadth courses in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
Core courses are designed to weave together concepts and skills from breadth course fields to build an intellectually coherent understanding of environmental problems and solutions. The core sequence starts with a broad introductory course, followed by development of quantitative and qualitative analytical skills and advanced treatment of environmental theory. It culminates in a senior capstone representing original scholarly research on a topic of practical relevance. An additional core course builds communication, cultural competency, and other skills toward successful public engagement.
Breadth courses in fields including biology, chemistry, English, geology, economics, sociology and anthropology, international affairs, history, philosophy, and religious studies provide important discipline-specific tools for environmental analysis.
Majors receive faculty guidance toward areas of interest relevant to their academic and professional goals, and are encouraged to pursue overseas study, ideally related to these areas of interest, during their third year.
Major Requirements
A minimum of 50 semester credits, distributed as follows:
Core Requirements
- ENVS 160 Introduction to Environmental Studies
- ENVS 220 Environmental Analysis
- ENVS 295 Environmental Engagement
- ENVS 400 Senior Seminar
Breadth Requirements
- 8 credits chosen from the natural science breadth courses listed below. The courses must be taken from different departments.
- 8 credits chosen from the social science breadth courses listed below. The courses must be taken from different departments.
- 8 credits chosen from the arts and humanities breadth courses listed below. The courses must be taken from different departments.
Environmental Studies or Earth Systems Science
- 4 credits chosen from the environmental studies and earth system science elective courses listed below.
Quantitative
- 4 credits chosen from the quantitative courses listed below.
All Lewis & Clark courses intended to fulfill environmental studies major requirements must be taken for a letter grade, with the exception of ENVS 244 Practicum.
Minor Requirements
A minimum of 25 semester credits (six courses), distributed as follows:
- ENVS 160 Introduction to Environmental Studies
- ENVS 220 Environmental Analysis
- ENVS 295 Environmental Engagement
- 4 credits chosen from the natural science breadth courses listed below.
- 4 credits chosen from the social science breadth courses listed below.
- 4 credits chosen from the arts and humanities breadth courses listed below.
All Lewis & Clark courses intended to fulfill environmental studies minor requirements must be taken for a letter grade.
Natural Science Breadth Courses
| Biological Core Concepts: Systems | ||
| Perspectives in Environmental Chemistry | ||
| General Chemistry I | ||
| Environmental Geology | ||
| Climate Science |
Social Science Breadth Courses
| Environmental and Natural Resource Economics | ||
| Topics in Environmental Law and Policy | ||
| Global Resource Dilemmas | ||
| International Political Economy | ||
| Civil Society, Politics, and the State | ||
| State and Local Politics | ||
| Space, Place, and Landscape | ||
| Global Inequality | ||
| Critical Perspectives on Development | ||
| Environmental Sociology |
Arts and Humanities Breadth Courses
| Introductory Topics in Literature (When topic is relevant) | ||
| Animals and Animal Rights in Literature | ||
| Constructing the American Landscape | ||
| Global Environmental History | ||
| Philosophy and the Environment | ||
| Food and Religion in America | ||
| Environmental Topics in Russian and Soviet Cultures in Translation |
Environmental Studies or Earth System Science Elective Courses
| Introduction to GIS and Mapping | ||
| Topics in Environmental Studies | ||
| (Un)Natural Disasters | ||
| Environmental Theory | ||
| Forests | ||
| Landscape Mapping and Monitoring | ||
| Topics in Environmental Studies | ||
| Issues in Oceanography | ||
| The Fundamentals of Hydrology | ||
| Topics in Earth System Science | ||
| Spatial Problems in Earth System Science |
Quantitative Requirement Courses
| Computer Science I | ||
| Introduction to Data Science | ||
| Statistics | ||
| Biostatistics in Public Health | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Research Methods in Political Science | ||
| Statistics I |
Honors
Students who distinguish themselves academically with a GPA of 3.500 in the major may qualify for honors in environmental studies. Honors candidates work on research-based capstone projects as a part of ENVS 400 Senior Seminar, offered annually in spring semester. Based on the quality of their drafts (thesis or non-thesis outcomes), typically submitted halfway through the semester, select students will be invited to give an oral presentation and defense to ENVS faculty, who will then recommend final edits and make a determination for honors. Honors in environmental studies thus recognizes overall academic performance, distinguished scholarly quality and creativity in the senior capstone project, and a convincing oral defense.
Faculty
Barbara A. Balko. Associate professor of chemistry. Physical Chemistry. PhD 1991 University of California at Berkeley. AB 1984 Bryn Mawr College.
Elizabeth A. Bennett. Joseph M. Ha Professor of International Affairs. International political economy, global social movements, voluntary social/environmental regulation. PhD 2014, AM 2010 Brown University. MALD 2008 Fletcher School, Tufts University. BA 2002 Hope College.
Andrew Bernstein. Professor of history. Japanese History. PhD 1999, MPhil 1996, MA 1994 Columbia University. BA 1990 Amherst College.
Greta J. Binford. Professor of biology. Invertebrate zoology, biodiversity, evolution of spider venoms. PhD 2000 University of Arizona. MS 1993 University of Utah. BA 1990 Miami University.
Moriah Bellenger Bostian. Professor of economics and department chair. Environmental and resource economics, econometrics. PhD 2010 Oregon State University. MS 2005 Auburn University. BS 2003 Florida State University.
Maryann Bylander. Professor of sociology. Development and globalization, migration, rural livelihoods, microfinance/credit, environment, gender, qualitative and quantitative research methods. PhD 2012, MA 2006 University of Texas at Austin. BA 2003 Rice University.
Julio C. de Paula. Professor of chemistry. Physical Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry, Nanotechnology. PhD 1987 Yale University. BA 1982 Rutgers University.
Kurt Fosso. Professor emeritus of English. PhD 1993 University of California at Irvine.
Reiko Hillyer. Professor of history. U.S. South, African American History, History of the Built Environment. PhD 2006, MPhil 2001, MA 1999 Columbia University. BA 1991 Yale University.
Jessica M. Kleiss. Associate professor of environmental studies. Oceanography, interface between the atmosphere and the ocean. PhD 2009 Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California at San Diego. BS 2000 Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Bob Mandel. Marc Messina professor of international affairs. Conflict and security, global resource issues, transnational studies, psychological aspects of international affairs, research methods, international relations theory. PhD 1976, MPhil 1975, MA 1974 Yale University. AB 1972 Brown University.
Margaret Rowan Metz. Professor of biology. Plant Community Ecology, Tropical Ecology, Disease Ecology. PhD 2007 University of California at Berkeley. AB 1998 Princeton University.
Susanna Morrill. Associate professor of religious studies. Religion in America. PhD 2002, MA 1993 University of Chicago. BA 1989 Bryn Mawr College.
Jay Odenbaugh. James F. Miller Professor of Humanities. Ethics, Philosophy and the Environment, Philosophy of Science, Metaphysics, Logic. PhD 2001 University of Calgary. MA 1996 Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. BA 1994 Belmont University.
Bruce M. Podobnik. Associate professor emeritus of sociology. Environmental sociology, social theory, mixed methods, the sociocultural dimensions of activism, the social roots of happiness. PhD 2000 Johns Hopkins University.
James D. Proctor. Professor of environmental studies. PhD 1992, MA 1989, MS 1989 University of California at Berkeley. BA 1980 University of Oregon.
Alana Rader. Assistant professor of environmental science. Geography. PhD 2022 Rutgers University. MSc 2017, BSc 2014 University of Victoria.
Karen Russell. Adjunct Legal Faculty. Environmental law and policy. BA 1985 University of Washington. JD 1990 Lewis & Clark Law School.
Elizabeth B. Safran. Associate professor of geological science. Geomorphology, disaster preparedness. PhD 1998 University of California at Santa Barbara. MSc 1993 University of Washington. BA 1989 Harvard University.
Ellen C. Seljan. Professor of political science. American politics and public policy. PhD 2010 University of California at San Diego. BA 2004 Drew University.
Courses
ENVS 160 Introduction to Environmental Studies
Content: Scholarly perspectives on environmental problems and solutions, integrating concepts and analytical skills drawn from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Foundation for all subsequent courses in the environmental studies major. Lectures, faculty and guest presentations, regular online assignments, individual and group research projects. Enrollment limited to first- and second-year students.
Prerequisites: None.
Restrictions: Enrollment limited to first- and second-year students.
Usually offered: Annually, fall and spring semester.
Semester credits: 4.
ENVS 172 Introduction to GIS and Mapping
Content: The process of spatial thinking while analyzing and communicating data with cartographic tools. Students will work hands-on with geographic information system (GIS) software to collect, store, query, analyze, and display spatial data. Fundamental GIS concepts and skills through lab exercises, lectures, readings, class discussions, and other activities. Topics include understanding coordinate systems, cartographic design principles and map production, exploring and modifying geospatial data, and creating and analyzing vector and raster data and models.
Prerequisites: None.
Usually offered: Alternate Years, fall semester.
Semester credits: 4.
ENVS 200 Situating the Global Environment
Content: Introduction to situated perspective on environmental problems and solutions, including a range of international and overseas program-specific cases. Development of Web-based social learning skills to document and share situated research. Regular reading and summary discussions, lectures, fieldwork, online synthesis postings, and final report. Taught in conjunction with an ENVS summer overseas program. Instructor consent and sophomore standing required.
Prerequisites: ENVS 160.
Restrictions: Sophomore standing and acceptance into an overseas program required.
Semester credits: 4.
ENVS 220 Environmental Analysis
Content: Development of research and analytical skills in environmental studies as preparation for upper-division work by majors and minors. Emphasis on formulation, practice, and communication of research. Skills span full range of allied fields, including descriptive and inferential statistics, geographic information systems, survey and interview techniques, qualitative data analysis, and bibliographic research. Lectures, individual and small-group assignments, and course project. Accompanying lab provides opportunity for students to build analytical skills via real-world research. Sophomore standing required.
Prerequisites: ENVS 160. Enrollment preference given to departmental majors fulfilling degree requirements.
Corequisites: ENVS 220L.
Restrictions: Sophomore standing required.
Usually offered: Annually, spring semester.
Semester credits: 5.
ENVS 244 Practicum
Content: Nonclassroom learning experience combining theoretical concepts and skills learned in the classroom with practical work in an on-campus or off-campus setting. Additional readings and written assignments required. Arrangements for the practicum should be made during the semester prior to enrollment. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisites: ENVS 160.
Restrictions: Sophomore standing and consent required.
Usually offered: Annually, fall and spring semester.
Semester credits: 1-4.
ENVS 245 Environment Across Boundaries (ENVX) Symposium
Content: Practicum involving extensive research to explore the symposium theme, identify guest speakers and panelists, develop panel discussion topics, and create the program of events. Student cochairs work closely together and with ENVS faculty and administrators to develop leadership, organizational, and professional communication skills. Course culminates in the production of the annual ENVX symposium. Instructor consent required.
Prerequisites: ENVS 160.
Usually offered: Annually, fall and spring semester.
Semester credits: 1-4.
ENVS 290 Topics in Environmental Studies
Content: Investigation of a subfield of environmental studies. Topic varies by year and can include spatial analysis, environmental policy, natural resource management, and more. Each topic necessarily encompasses the socio-economic, cultural, and biophysical building blocks of the environmental studies field.
Prerequisites: None.
Semester credits: 1-4.
ENVS 295 Environmental Engagement
Content: Faculty-directed student engagement, connecting environmental scholarship to people in a variety of settings. Identification and finalization of engagement opportunities; development of communication, cultural competency, and related skills; reflection on engagement experiences; and authoring and sharing of outcomes. Engagement projects build on partnerships with Portland-area organizations.
Prerequisites: ENVS 160.
Usually offered: Annually, fall and spring semester.
Semester credits: 4.
ENVS 311 (Un)Natural Disasters
Content: Causes and consequences of "natural disasters" (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, tsunamis), with a focus on the interplay between the human and physical landscapes that make these events so deadly and imbued with diverse meanings. Perspectives drawn from the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences to examine both historical events whose consequences have played out and recent dramas whose aftermaths are still unfolding. Contrast of impacts and perceptions of these events with select examples of anthropogenic disasters (Chernobyl, Bhopal, Deepwater Horizon); anticipation of future natural disasters and consideration of the science of living with risk. Projects emphasize local and regional issues. Sophomore standing required.
Prerequisites: ENVS 220, ESS 150, or ESS 170.
Restrictions: Sophomore standing required.
Usually offered: Alternate Years, fall and spring semester.
Semester credits: 4.
ENVS 350 Environmental Theory
Content: Advanced exploration of major theoretical assumptions underlying environmental studies, including the nature of environment, environmental knowledge (including role of sciences and humanities), and environmental problems and solutions. Intensive reading and writing, class discussions, and project-based application of theory to contemporary topics.
Prerequisites: ENVS 160.
Usually offered: Alternate Years, spring semester.
Semester credits: 4.
ENVS 360 Forests
Content: Situates our understanding of forests in space and time, focusing primarily on the ecology, history, management, and controversy surrounding Pacific Northwest coniferous forests and comparing these nearby forests with others across the globe. Field-intensive, with one overnight and two daylong forest excursions, and fieldwork in forests adjacent to Lewis Clark. Students will gain skills in tree and forest measurement, a more variegated understanding of our region's forested landscape, an opportunity to engage firsthand with people who approach these forests in differing ways, and a group-sourced context via multiple small-team projects on forests in other parts of the world. Lectures; reading discussions; guest panels; fieldwork and field trips; team projects.
Prerequisites: ENVS 160.
Usually offered: Alternate Years, fall semester.
Semester credits: 4.
ENVS 372 Landscape Mapping and Monitoring
Content: Introduction to theories, frameworks, and practice of remote sensing. Fundamental landscape concepts and remote sensing analysis skills through class lectures, group readings, labs, and commonly a full day field trip to gain skills in collecting landscape data. Students will practice land use and land cover mapping techniques commonly implemented by land managers to monitor landscapes through time and across space. Experience with coding in any programming language is strongly recommended, as exercises will be performed in either JavaScript or Python.
Prerequisites: ENVS 172, DSCI 140, CS171, ESS 150, or ESS 340.
Usually offered: Alternate Years, spring semester.
Semester credits: 4.
ENVS 400 Senior Seminar
Content: An advanced, integrative keystone seminar involving primary research for all senior environmental studies majors. Research capstones (theses or alternative outcomes) are based on each student's areas of interest within the major. Students should have completed all other environmental studies core courses prior to taking this course. Senior standing required.
Prerequisites: ENVS 220.
Restrictions: Senior standing required.
Usually offered: Annually, spring semester.
Semester credits: 4.
ENVS 460 Topics in Environmental Law and Policy
Content: Introduction to issues in environmental law and policy. Taught by environmental and natural resources law faculty of Lewis Clark Law School, the course covers major areas in environmental law. Topics vary and may include water law, the Endangered Species Act, hazardous waste law, environmental justice, environmental law enforcement, the World Trade Organization, public lands law, the Clean Air Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act. Panels discuss careers in law and study of law. A unique opportunity for students interested in careers in environmental law and policy. Junior standing required.
Prerequisites: ENVS 160.
Restrictions: Junior standing required.
Usually offered: Annually, fall semester.
Semester credits: 4.
ENVS 490 Topics in Environmental Studies
Content: Application of concepts and skills from ENVS 160 and ENVS 220 to the understanding of specific environmental issues. Potential topics include biodiversity, climate change, energy, environmental justice, international agreements, land use, natural-resource depletion, pollution, sustainability, transportation, and urban sprawl. May be taken twice for credit with change of topic. Sophomore standing required.
Prerequisites: ENVS 160. ENVS 220.
Restrictions: Sophomore standing required.
Usually offered: Alternate Years, fall and spring semester.
Semester credits: 4.
ENVS 499 Independent Study
Content: Opportunity for the well-prepared student to design and pursue a substantive course of independent learning or to work on an ongoing project at an advanced level. Details determined by the student and the supervising instructor. Students should have completed ENVS 160 and ENVS 220 prior to taking this course. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisites: ENVS 160. ENVS 220.
Restrictions: Sophomore standing and consent required.
Usually offered: Annually, fall and spring semester.
Semester credits: 1-4.