Environmental and Sustainability Studies A.B.
A Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Environmental and Sustainability Studies requires the completion of the Elon Core Curriculum as well as the Major Requirements listed below.
Major Requirements:
Core Requirements: 18-20 sh
| ENS 110 | HUMANS AND NATURE | 4 sh |
| ENS 111 | INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE | 3 sh |
| ENS 113 | INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE LAB | 1 sh |
| ENS 200 | STRATEGIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL INQUIRY | 4 sh |
| ENS 381 | INTERNSHIP IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES | 2-4 sh |
| ENS 461 | SENIOR SEMINAR: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT | 4 sh |
Choose one course from the following Humanities Pillar courses: 4 sh
Choose one course from the following Social Science Pillar courses: 4 sh
PST 324 is recommended by the Department of Environmental Studies
Choose one course from the following Natural Science Pillar courses: 4 sh
Choose one course from the following Landscape Sustainability courses: 4 sh
| ENS 160 | THE ART OF SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE | 4 sh |
| ENS 232 | SOLAR GREENHOUSE AND FOURTH SEASON HARVEST | 4 sh |
| ENS 311 | SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION | 4 sh |
| ENS 360 | GREEN DESIGN: ENVISIONING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE | 4 sh |
| ENS 366 | SUSTAINABLE DESIGN TECHNOLOGIES | 4 sh |
Concentrations
Select 16 semester hours from one of the three concentrations
Responsible Design and Building Arts: 16 sh
| ENS 160 | THE ART OF SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE | 4 sh |
| ENS 360 | GREEN DESIGN: ENVISIONING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE | 4 sh |
| ENS 366 | SUSTAINABLE DESIGN TECHNOLOGIES | 4 sh |
| ART 112 | FUNDAMENTALS OF DESIGN | 4 sh |
| ART 113 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL DESIGN | 4 sh |
Sustainable Food Production: 16 sh
| ENS 120 | COMMUNITY AGRICULTURE - FALL HARVEST | 2 sh |
| | AND | |
| ENS 121 | COMMUNITY AGRICULTURE - SPRING PLANTING | 2 sh |
| | or | |
| ENS 220 | GARDEN STUDIO: FALL AND WINTER GARDENING | 2 sh |
| | AND | |
| ENS 221 | GARDEN STUDIO: SPRING AND SUMMER GARDENING | 2 sh |
| | or | |
| ENS 232 | SOLAR GREENHOUSE AND FOURTH SEASON HARVEST | 4 sh |
| ENS 311 | SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION | 4 sh |
| ENS 314 | AGROECOLOGY | 4 sh |
| ENS 381 | INTERNSHIP IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES | 2-4 sh |
| COR 429 | PERMACULTURE: FOOD, CULTURE AND SUSTAINABILITY | 4 sh |
Human Ecology: 16 sh
Human Ecology is an open, self-designed concentration that mandates a broad interdisciplinary study of the relationship between humans and the natural, social, and built environments. Intermixing exploration of environmental sciences, both social and natural, with environmental history and the humanities, this generalist concentration is recommended for students considering double majors because of its flexibility.
Students interested in the Human Ecology major should consult with an Environmental Studies advisor to develop a cohesive course of study from these options and develop a course list proposal for departmental approval by the end of the first semester of their junior year.
Students pursuing the Human Ecology concentration may select their 16 sh of electives from among Humanities, Social Science, and Natural Science Pillar courses not previously taken; Landscape Sustainability courses not previously taken; and a set including COM 331, ECO 111, ENS 330, ENS 346, ENS 359, ENS 250, ENS 340, and GEO 345.
The exhaustive list of Human Ecology elective options is below. Note that any course taken to satisfy a Pillar or Landscape Sustainability requirement above cannot double count as a Human Ecology elective.
A combination study of Sustainable Food Production and Responsible Design could be accomplished with the Human Ecology concentration.
Examples of Cohesive Paths of Study
Listed are additional examples of cohesive paths of study. Be sure to discuss these, or a path of your own design, with your advisor.
Environmental Policy with a second major in Political Science or Policy Studies
If you are interested in environmental policy perhaps with a second major in Political Science or Policy Studies, the following might be optimal courses from which to choose.
Cohesive path involving evisioning green futures, innovative planning design or entrepreneruship
If you anticipate a future path that involves envisioning green futures, innovative planning, design, or entrepreneurship, especially connected with a second major, this might be a list of courses from which to choose.
| ENS 160 | THE ART OF SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE | 4 sh |
| ENS 311 | SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION | 4 sh |
| ENS 350 | ENVIRONMENTAL VISIONS | 4 sh |
| ENS 360 | GREEN DESIGN: ENVISIONING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE | 4 sh |
| ART 339 | ECO ART | 4 sh |
| COM 331 | ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNICATIONS | 4 sh |
A cohesive path that involves the arts, working with non-profits or schools
If you are contemplating a future path that involves the arts, working with non-profits or schools, or combining the ENS AB Human Ecology with a double major in Art or Communications, or even Management, this might be a list of courses from which to choose.
Total Credit Hours: 50-52