Environmental Studies

For several decades, Augustana has offered a rigorous minor in Environmental Studies, emphasizing both interdisciplinary breadth and disciplinary depth. A new interdisciplinary Environmental Studies major is now offered as well, building upon the academic strengths and reputation of the long-standing minor. Augustana's program emphasizes the connections between disciplines in the natural and social sciences and humanities so that students may develop a general perspective on environmental issues and a focus related to their specific interests.

The Environmental Studies major is intended for two categories of students: (1) those with no other major or with a major outside of the natural sciences who desire a good broad-based perspective on the environment and a modest level of focused study in biology, chemistry, geography, geology or political science and humanities; and (2) those who have declared majors in other disciplines explicitly related to studying and managing natural and/or urban environments (e.g., biology, chemistry, geography, geology and political science) who desire this second major to add breadth of perspective to complement the focused perspective of their other discipline.