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Major and Minor

Luther offers both a major and a minor in environmental studies as well as the opportunity for students to pursue environmentally related study through the individualized, interdisciplinary major option or by taking any of the numerous elective courses. In September 2006, the faculty approved a new major in Environmental Studies. See below for major and minor requirements.

Requirements for the Major

The major in Environmental Studies requires 12 course equivalents: the five core courses plus a concentration in one area consisting of an additional four course equivalents and three course equivalents of electives from the list of courses below. Six of the 12 courses must be at the 200 level or above. No more than three disciplinary courses counting for another major or minor may be applied to the environmental studies major. Students pursuing the major must choose one of the four options for a concentration listed below.

Core Courses:
Concentrations:

Requirements for the Minor

The minor in Environmental Studies consists of five courses. No more than two disciplinary courses counting for another major or minor may be applied to the environmental studies minor.

Elective Courses

The following list indicates courses that are approved as electives for the major as well as ones we anticipate would regularly be used by students to design an individualized concentration.  The Environmental Studies Steering Committee will review courses on a regular basis to update the list as well as considering any petitions from students or faculty for other applicable courses.

For course descriptions, please view the courses page.

*organisms courses applicable to bioscience concentration

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Individualized Interdisciplinary Major

Students who want to major in environmental studies have the option of designing an individualized interdisciplinary major. Individualized majors in environmental studies almost always begin with the core courses. Some students then add a heavier concentration of science courses, usually in the area of biology, resulting in an environmental science major. Others add a range of science, social science and humanities course, resulting in an environmental studies major. Individualized majors often include an internship or research component. For more information on designing an individualized major consult with the Director of Environmental Studies, John Moeller.

Here are the thoughts of students who have developed individualized majors in some facet of environmental studies.

Christine Paulu, '06 - Arden Hills, MN
Christine

The greatest gift Luther College and the community of Decorah have given me is an affirmation of my love for nature, a new passion for the environment, and a drive to resolve the philosophical questions that come with caring for the natural world. Throughout my sophomore year, partly as a result of taking Environmental Philosophy from Jon Jensen, I realized that I wanted the environment to be the primary focus of my studies at Luther and my future career and began working on an individualized major.

I wanted to gear my major towards Environmental Education and Ecology using a focus on the sciences. Therefore, my major includes the staples of the Environmental Studies minor along with a variety of Biology classes that will teach me the basics about individual organisms and allow me to identify species as well as study ecosystems as a whole. These classes consist of Winter Biology, Entomology, Plant Taxonomy, and Vertebrate Natural History.

I want to be able to share my passion and knowledge about nature with people, perhaps as a naturalist or as an environmental educator. The environment today is in a fragile condition and I want to make a positive impact on the human relationship with the natural world. This Environmental Studies major can give me many of the tools that I will need to do that.

Sarah Beard, ‘05 - Pleasanton, CA

When I began my studies at Luther I was trying to decide between a major in Biology or Elementary Education. I knew that I ultimately wanted to work in environmental education, but I wasn’t sure which major was the best fit. After taking classes for both, I decided to create an individualized major in Environmental Studies. I focused on biology classes with an emphasis in field studies, but I also included sociology, religion, political science, and philosophy classes in my major. Also, I have had the opportunity to work with a professor in planning a summer environmental program for elementary and junior high students. This, in addition to four summers of experience at various camps has helped me to apply some of what I have learned from my classes. After I graduate I either plan on getting on getting a masters degree in Environmental Education or a second undergraduate degree in Elementary Education.

Amy Frye, ‘04 - Chatfield, MN
amy frye

When I first enrolled at Luther, I had no idea what I’d end up majoring in. After taking Introduction to Environmental Policies, though, I knew I’d found a subject I was interested in. I’ve always loved nature and the outdoors, so putting together a major in Environmental Studies was an obvious choice for me. The process of designing a major was fairly easy, and it let me tailor the program to my interests. I’ve taken relevant classes from a variety of departments – including biology, sociology, religion, philosophy and environmental studies – that I believe give me a well-rounded background in the subject. In addition, I had the opportunity to study abroad in New Zealand, where I took classes on urban geography and geographic information systems. I am especially interested in community planning and land use politics, and was able to do faculty-guided research on this subject. Although I don’t have a specific career in mind at this point, I plan to pursue my interests after graduation, and am applying to the University of British Columbia’s graduate program in Resource Management and Environmental Studies.

Rupak Thapaliya, ‘04
Katmandu, Nepal
Rupak

When I started Luther, I already had an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science. I had taken a lot of science courses in my previous school. When I decided to design a major in Environmental Management at Luther, I was amazed by the variety of courses they offer. I decided not to take many science courses because I thought I already had a good background in science. The courses I took ranged from religion and philosophy to political science and biology. Such courses have changed my perspective, and I no longer look at environmental issues as just pure science. Now, I think I am able to view an issue from a variety of perspectives. Most of the courses I took were related to policy making and ethics. Other courses on food & agriculture and philosophy helped me develop my critical thinking ability. After I graduate in December, I plan to work as an intern. I am currently exploring my internship possibilities. Eventually, I will be attending graduate school. My long-term plan, however, is to work for either the United Nations Environment Programme or the United Nations Development Programme.

Kelly Crouthamel, ‘04 - Saint Charles, IA

My initial intent at Luther was to major in Biology and minor in Environmental Studies. When I learned about the option of designing an Interdisciplinary Major, I was immediately interested in pursuing a major in Environmental Studies, because I felt that this was my ultimate interest. I believe a major in Environmental Studies is unlike any other in that it is not specialized, but the issues of importance encompass many disciplines. I have taken classes in political science, philosophy, religion, economics, anthropology, geology, and geography, all of which included relevant information that I feel is important in beginning to understand the complexity and interconnectedness of environmental issues.

I believe that my Biology major well-complements my designed Environmental Studies major, and I have a better understanding of the importance of knowledge in both specialized and generalized disciplines. Both majors will be beneficial with my future goals of continuing to study ecosystems and environmental systems, how these are affected by social and political actions, and the ethical and ecological reasoning behind sustainable ways for humans to live in harmony with these systems.

My studies of the environment have greatly benefited from activities at Luther College and within the area of Decorah. I have had the opportunity to work for the recycling department and composting program on campus, and also with a professor on a biodiesel research project to integrate an alternative fuel, made from cafeteria fryer grease, into college diesel vehicles. In addition, I have been able to work on and see several different organic and sustainable farms in the Decorah area and participate in community environmental camps. Although I have not yet chosen a specific path within environmental studies, my interests in sustainable agriculture, energy use, and environmental education have been well-shaped by the Environmental Studies major, and I will continue to pursue these interests in the future.

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