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Sustainability & Environmental Studies

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Explore human-environment relationships through a cross-disciplinary and fieldwork-intensive curriculum, developing place-based solutions.

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Undergraduate program

Sustainability & Environmental Studies

Undergrad minor

Sustainability and environmental studies is an interdisciplinary field that aims to understand human-environment relationships and address complex issues and problems related to this relationship. It draws upon diverse disciplines including natural sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities, allowing students to analyze human-environment relationships with the breadth and depth that other fields alone do not have. 

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Quick glancefor Sustainability & Environmental Studies

Mission: 

The UW-La Crosse Environmental Studies Program educates and transforms students through interdisciplinary and experiential learning. We foster student engagement with the principles of sustainability, stewardship, justice, and citizenship, from local to global levels.

Values:
• innovative approaches that enhance the integration of the natural sciences,
social sciences, arts, and humanities
• shared experiences, service learning, and field trips, which create a sense of
individual identity and group cohesion
• personal connections to local environments and cultivating a sense of place
• knowledge of and commitment to environmental stewardship, through
community partnership and shared expertise

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Featured courses

  • Topics in Environmental Studies
    ENV 303 | 3 credits
    This fully interdisciplinary seminar provides the opportunity to explore how scientific, historical, political, and ethical issues are interrelated in a specific environmental topic. Complexity of social-ecological systems is inherent in each pressing environmental issue. Course topics could include food, bicycle politics, environmental activism, and forest management. Repeatable for credit - maximum six. Prerequisite: ENV 101 or ENV 201. Offered Fall, Spring.
  • Environmental Studies Capstone
    ENV 496 | 3 credits
    As a culmination of the environmental studies minor, this course has two main purposes. The first is to take action locally on an environmental service learning project. Action in the community builds professional skills, offers networking, and solidifies student interests. The second purpose is to help students clarify personal and career goals that are based on their environmental philosophy. Hearing from recent graduates and professionals in environmental fields provides students with a wide variety of perspectives and ideas as they consider their future decisions. Prerequisite: ENV 303; ENV 301 or ENV 304 or SOC 328 or SOC 332; six credits from the natural sciences electives, social sciences electives, or arts and humanities electives. Offered Fall, Spring.
Portrait of Jake Fischer

Hear from an alum

Jake Fischer

Rather than merely specializing in one particular field, this program allows students to understand and critically think in a broader and more holistic manner, which is something that isn’t just useful, but incredibly enjoyable as we’re not limited to one lens or area of study.

Portrait of Grace Koch

Hear from an alum

Grace Koch

The professors in this program are very passionate about the environment, and their classes always spark interesting student conversations. This program has allowed my own interests in climate change and human health to thrive.