ENVS major requirements are spelled out in the most recent Lewis & Clark College Catalog, as well as requirements for honors in ENVS. The major includes (1) core courses in environmental studies, (2) breadth courses in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, and (3) a concentration or second major. The major is declared following successful preparation of the concentration (area of interest for double majors) during ENVS 220; see the concentration page for more information. There is also an ENVS minor, consisting of six core and breadth courses totaling a minimum of 24 semester credits; prospective minors must also successfully complete the concentration process. Basic information is below; please consult with an ENVS core faculty member for more information.
1. Core Courses
There are five core courses in ENVS, as described here. Majors take all core courses for 19 credits; minors take ENVS 160, 220, and 330 for 13 credits. Each core course is offered for the specified semesters only; ENVS 160, 220, 330, and 400 must be taken in sequence.
- ENVS 160 (4 credits, fall/spring): Introduction to Environmental Studies
- ENVS 220 (5 credits with lab, fall; ENVS 160 prerequisite): Environmental Analysis
- ENVS 295 (2 credits, fall/spring; ENVS 160 prerequisite): Environmental Engagement
- ENVS 330 (4 credits, spring; ENVS 220 prerequisite): Situating Environmental Problems and Solutions
- ENVS 400 (2+2 credits, fall/spring; ENVS 330 prerequisite): Senior Seminar
Note: Enrollment preference in the above courses is given to departmental majors fulfilling degree requirements.
2. Breadth Courses
Breadth courses are other required courses in the ENVS major taken outside of the ENVS Program. Majors take two from the physical and life sciences, two from the social sciences, and two from the arts & humanities, for 26 semester credits; minors take one breadth course from each area. For majors, these include the following:
- Any two of BIO 141 (5 credits), CHEM 100 (5 credits) or CHEM 110 (5 credits; either CHEM 100 or 110 can be used, but not both), and GEOL 150 or GEOL 170 (5 credits each; either GEOL 150 or 170 can be used, but not both). These courses are generally offered fall semester annually, with the exception of CHEM 100, generally offered spring semester.
- ECON 260 (4 credits) and either IA 257 (4 credits), SOAN 249 (4 credits), or SOAN 305 (4 credits). These courses are generally offered spring semester annually, with the exception of SOAN 249, generally offered fall semester. Pay close attention to prerequisites listed in the catalog for each of these courses, and consult with an ENVS core faculty member if there are questions.
- At least one of PHIL 215 (4 credits) or HIST 261 (4 credits). If both of these courses are not taken, one additional 4-semester-credit humanities elective may be approved in conjunction with the concentration proposal.
3. Concentration
All ENVS majors design a concentration (single majors) or area of interest (double majors). The concentration consists of 16 credits of courses, required of all single majors; for double majors (and minors), you will tie your second major into ENVS by defining an area of interest. The concentration or area of interest gives you the opportunity to identify a scholarly focus area in ENVS for which you desire advanced academic or professional preparation, and will serve as the basis for your senior project in ENVS 400.
If you are defining a concentration, you will propose 16 credits of courses to master related concepts (theories, major issues of scholarly debate, etc.) and skills (research and analytical methods). A concentration may take a natural science, social science, humanities, or transdisciplinary focus; in all cases it adopts the situated approach to high-quality environmental scholarship students learn via our Environmental Studies core courses. See the concentration page for more information. Here is some course-specific information:
- At least two courses (minimum 8 credits of 16 total) must be upper division (300 or above; some exceptions may apply). 100-level courses that are introductory in nature would not count toward a concentration, but they will count as prerequisites for more advanced courses that can count toward a concentration.
- Up to one-half (8 credits) of your concentration may be transferred in from another institution; this gives you flexibility to take concentration courses not available at Lewis & Clark.
- You may initially propose some courses you have already taken, but you must complete all concentration courses by the end of fall of your senior year. (If you need to change your concentration courses after approval, see the Concentration page for details.)
- ENVS major breadth courses (e.g., SOAN 249 or PHIL 215) cannot count for both breadth and concentration credit.
- ENVS 244 (Practicum/Internship) and 499 (Independent Study) courses almost always count toward a concentration, as do additional sections of ENVS 295 (Environmental Engagement) in addition to the major requirement.
- In many cases, other ENVS electives (e.g., ENVS 311, 350, 460, or 490) also count liberally toward concentrations.
- Many general culture overseas courses (typically IS 200-level courses) typically do not count toward a concentration, but they do count toward general graduation requirements. More advanced or specialized overseas courses can occasionally count toward a concentration, provided they are relevant and adequately documented. Note that we strongly urge overseas students to do a 2+2 credit ENVS 499 before and after their program to plan and follow up on a situated project! This 499 definitely counts toward your concentration.
Helpful Hints and Sample Course Plan
Here are some helpful hints as you plan your ENVS major:
- Please consult the Future Courses page for our current estimate of which core, breadth, and related courses may be offered and when.
- In addition to taking ENVS 160 during your freshman year, we recommend that you take 220 during your sophomore year, 295 during your second, third, or fourth year, and 330 during your junior year (you may be able to take it during your sophomore year if you’re planning an overseas program during spring of your junior year). You’ll generally take 400 (two semesters) during your final year, though in rare circumstances you will start 400 spring of your junior year.
- We recommend that you get started with your breadth courses or breadth course prerequisites right away during your first year; possibilities include BIO 141, or GEOL 150 or GEOL 170, or CHEM 100 or 110, or ECON 100, or IA 100, or SOAN 100 or 110.
- It’s a good idea to take ECON 100 (a prerequisite for 260) as soon as you can; and if you’re planning to take them, BIO 141 and GEOL 150 as well, as upper-division students can face challenges enrolling in these lower-division courses. In general, it’s best to take all breadth courses broadly related to your concentration or area of interest early on.
- Though not required, we also recommend that you complete MATH 131 (Calculus I) to fulfill the Category B graduation requirement for scientific and quantitative reasoning.
Core, breadth, and concentration courses may be completed in a number of ways, but here is a sample four-year plan, assuming four concentration courses. Other courses counting toward graduation are included in italics, including prerequisites for social science ENVS breadth courses. Note: students transferring to LC or starting the ENVS major after their freshman year should consult with the ENVS Director for an appropriate plan.
| Year | Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biology 141—Economics 100—Exploration & Discovery—Foreign Language requirement | ENVS 160—Philosophy 215—Exploration & Discovery—Foreign Language requirement |
| 2 | ENVS 220—Geology 150 or 170—IA 100 (or SOAN 100 or 110) | Economics 260—Concentration Course 1—Concentration Course 2—Physical Education requirement |
| 3 | [Possible overseas program conveying International Studies credit ] | ENVS 295—ENVS 330—IA 257 (or SOAN 305)—Concentration Course 3 |
| 4 | ENVS 400—Concentration Course 4—Hist 261 or A&H Breadth Elective | ENVS 400—Creative Arts requirement |