Environmental and Sustainability Studies A.B.
Chair: Associate Professor Charest
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
| ENS1100 | Humans and Nature | 4 sh |
| ENS1110 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 sh |
| ENS1130 | Introduction to Environmental Science Lab | 1 sh |
| ENS2000 | Sophomore Seminar: Environmental Inquiry | 4 sh |
| ENS3985 | Internship in Environmental Studies | 2-4 sh |
| ENS4970 | 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 3240 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
| ENS1600 | The Art of Sustainable Architecture | 4 sh |
| ENS3110 | Sustainable Food Production | 4 sh |
| ENS3660 | Sustainable Design Technologies | 4 sh |
Concentrations
Select 16 semester hours from one of the three concentrations
Responsible Design and Building Arts: 16 sh
| ENS1600 | The Art of Sustainable Architecture | 4 sh |
| ENS3660 | Sustainable Design Technologies | 4 sh |
| ART1120 | Fundamentals of Design | 4 sh |
| ART1130 | Three-Dimensional Design | 4 sh |
Sustainable Food Production: 16 sh
| ENS1200 | Community Agriculture - Fall Harvest | 2 sh |
| AND | |
| ENS1210 | Community Agriculture - Spring Planting | 2 sh |
| or | |
| ENS2200 | Garden Studio: Fall and Winter Gardening | 2 sh |
| AND | |
| ENS2210 | Garden Studio: Spring and Summer Gardening | 2 sh |
| or | |
| ENS3110 | Sustainable Food Production | 4 sh |
| ENS3140 | Agroecology | 4 sh |
| ENS3985 | Internship in Environmental Studies | 2-4 sh |
| COR4290 | 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 3310, ECO 1000, ENS 3300, ENS 3460, ENS 3590, ENS 2500, ENS 3400, and GEO 3450.
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.
| ENS1600 | The Art of Sustainable Architecture | 4 sh |
| ENS3110 | Sustainable Food Production | 4 sh |
| ENS3500 | Environmental Visions | 4 sh |
| ART3390 | Eco Art | 4 sh |
| COM3310 | 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