Environmental Studies (ENV)

This course explores global environmental issues from a philosophical and social justice perspective. The foundation of environmental justice is built on the premise that all people, regardless of race, class, gender, ethnicity, and economic capacity have a right to a clean and safe environment, and access to adequate natural resources. Global implications of environmental injustices are explored in the context of various ethical frameworks, and reasonable policy initiatives to correct the disparities are discussed and evaluated.

Through an exploration of economics, environmental stewardship and sustainable development, this course will explore the maritime businesses, cultural and environmental relationship of Newport as the "city by the sea today and project potential economically robust, climatically resilient and environmentally and culturally sustainable growth and development along this dramatic and historic coastline.

Natural Resource Management is the field of environmental studies that manages natural resources (land, water, soil, plants, animals) with a goal of improving the quality of life for present and future generations. The course examines the interaction of people and their environment when making decisions that affect the quality and quantity of natural resources balanced by social, economic and other environmental factors. The goal of the course is to introduce students to this very broad discipline through extensive use of case studies and the primary literature.

This course is a three-part practicum for any student interested in the biological, economic, and social dimensions of bringing food from farm to table. Part 1 reviews recent and classic literature on the local food movement. In Part 2, students maintain, cultivate, and harvest hydroponic systems with an emphasis on maximizing yield. For Part 3, they learn through practical experience about the socioeconomic processes involved in bringing produce to market. Students should anticipate spending three hours of class time in addition to three hours in the hydroponic research lab per week. Some weekend time for the farmer's market is required.

Environmental Studies Internship is an interdisciplinary experiential course that seeks to give students an introduction to the practicum of work in fields such as biology, planning, economics, public policy, and education. The internship will help the student better understand concepts learned in class while gaining valuable work experience in the field. The course consists of at least 105 hours of work with an environmental organization that has a cooperative supervisor who has established learning goals and objectives with a faculty member affiliated with the university prior to the commencement of the internship. Open to all students with sophomore academic standing and above.

This course will provide students with an opportunity to engage with topics of environmental studies. The topics to be covered and the focus of the course will be specified at the time of registration.

This course provides in-depth investigation of a specific topic in Environmental Studies that involves data collection, analysis, interpretation, and written presentation. Topic will be determined by faculty member who is acting as research adviser.

This supervised study is intended to permit individual students to examine a subject that is not offered in the regular curriculum.