Environmental Studies Program


211 A. W. Smith Building
www.case.edu/artsci/estd
Phone: 216-368-3676; Fax: 216-368-3691
Peter L. McCall, Director
E-mail: peter.mccall@case.edu


Environmental Studies is a multidisciplinary program that introduces students to the societal determinants and implications of environmental problems. The program emphasizes the moral, cultural, and political dimensions of environmental problems and solutions that arise from scientific understanding of the environment, bringing to bear the issues and methods of the humanities and social sciences as well as those of the sciences and the professions. The program is designed to serve the needs of students seeking a liberal education or a broad intellectual base for more technical training in environmental sciences. Students can pursue a major or a minor in environmental studies.


Program Advisory Committee


Peter L. McCall, J.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Geological Sciences; Director, Environmental Studies Program


John Broich, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of History


Joseph F. Koonce, Ph.D.

Professor of Biology


Gerald Matisoff, Ph.D.
Professor of Geological Sciences


John Ruhl, Ph.D.
Professor of Physics


Peter Shulman, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of History


Theodore Steinberg, Ph.D.
Adeline Barry Davee Distinguished Professor of History; Professor, Case Western Reserve University School of Law


Sara Waller, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Philosophy


Joseph White, Ph.D.
Luxembourg Family Professor of Public Policy, Department of Political Science


Undergraduate Program


Major


The Environmental Studies program offers a major (30 credit hours) leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree. However, it may be elected only as a second major. The double major is required so that the multidisciplinary perspective offered by the program will be complemented by a concentrated disciplinary major. To declare the major, students should have declared a first major and have sophomore or junior standing. Up to six credits in required and elective courses taken by students for their first major may be applied to their environmental studies major. None of the required courses may be taken pass/no pass.


The required courses are:

In addition, one course from each of the following disciplinary groups is required:

 

Humanities

Social Policy

Science and Engineering

If a required course is not offered, substitution of a course to fulfill the distribution requirement is possible only with permission of the program director.


At least 15 credit hours must be taken from a list of approved electives. This list will change from time to time as departmental offerings change; please consult the program director for updated information. An approved Washington Study internship or summer field course may be used to satisfy part or all of the elective requirement. All programs of study must be approved by the director.


Minor


The minor in environmental studies (15 credit hours) consists of:

Course Descriptions


ESTD 101. Introduction to Environmental Thinking (3)
Critical comparison of scientific, historical, religious, and literary conceptions of nature. Theories of environmental ethics, legal, and economic conceptions of environmental goods. Current controversies concerning human population growth, energy use, the consumer society, and attitudes towards animals.


ESTD 398. Seminar in Environmental Studies (3)
Small group discussion and student presentations concerning the cultural determinants of environmental attitudes. Each student presents two seminars on current environmental issues, one local and one global. Recommended preparation: ESTD 101.