Environmental and Sustainability Studies A.B.
A Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Environmental and Sustainability Studies requires the completion of the Elon Core Curriculum as well as the Major Requirements listed below.
Major Requirements:
Core Requirements: 18-20 sh
| ENS 110 | HUMANS AND NATURE | 4 sh |
| ENS 111 | INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE | 3 sh |
| ENS 113 | INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE LAB | 1 sh |
| ENS 200 | STRATEGIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL INQUIRY | 4 sh |
| ENS 381 | INTERNSHIP IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES | 2-4 sh |
| ENS 461 | SENIOR SEMINAR: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT | 4 sh |
Choose one course from the following Humanities Pillar courses: 4 sh
Choose one course from the following Social Science Pillar courses: 4 sh
PST 224 is recommended by the Department of Environmental Studies
Choose one course from the following Natural Science Pillar courses: 4 sh
Choose one course from the following Landscape Sustainability courses: 4 sh
| ENS 160 | THE ART OF SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE | 4 sh |
| ENS 232 | SOLAR GREENHOUSE AND FOURTH SEASON HARVEST | 4 sh |
| ENS 311 | SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION | 4 sh |
| ENS 360 | GREEN DESIGN: ENVISIONING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE | 4 sh |
| ENS 366 | SUSTAINABLE DESIGN TECHNOLOGIES | 4 sh |
Concentrations
Select 16 semester hours from one of the three concentrations
Responsible Design and Building Arts: 16 sh
| ENS 160 | THE ART OF SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE | 4 sh |
| ENS 360 | GREEN DESIGN: ENVISIONING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE | 4 sh |
| ENS 366 | SUSTAINABLE DESIGN TECHNOLOGIES | 4 sh |
| ART 112 | FUNDAMENTALS OF DESIGN | 4 sh |
| ART 113 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL DESIGN | 4 sh |
Sustainable Food Production: 16 sh
| ENS 120 | COMMUNITY AGRICULTURE - FALL HARVEST | 2 sh |
| | AND | |
| ENS 121 | COMMUNITY AGRICULTURE - SPRING PLANTING | 2 sh |
| | or | |
| ENS 220 | GARDEN STUDIO: FALL AND WINTER GARDENING | 2 sh |
| | AND | |
| ENS 221 | GARDEN STUDIO: SPRING AND SUMMER GARDENING | 2 sh |
| | or | |
| ENS 232 | SOLAR GREENHOUSE AND FOURTH SEASON HARVEST | 4 sh |
| ENS 311 | SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION | 4 sh |
| ENS 314 | AGROECOLOGY | 4 sh |
| ENS 381 | INTERNSHIP IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES | 2-4 sh |
| COR 429 | PERMACULTURE: FOOD, CULTURE AND SUSTAINABILITY | 4 sh |
Only 4 sh credits from among ENS 120, ENS 121, ENS 220, ENS 221, and ENS 381 may count toward the concentration.
ENS 381 may be used toward the Agriculture and Environmental Service areas of the Peace Corps Prep Program Certificate (PCPP) Part B - Additional Experience. See www.elon.edu/peacecorps for more information.
Human Ecology: 16 sh
Human Ecology is an open, self-designed concentration that mandates a broad interdisciplinary study of the relationship between humans and the natural, social, and built environments. Intermixing exploration of environmental sciences, both social and natural, with environmental history and the humanities, this generalist concentration is recommended for students considering double majors because of its flexibility.
Students interested in the Human Ecology major should consult with an Environmental Studies advisor to develop a cohesive course of study from these options and develop a course list proposal for departmental approval by the end of the first semester of their junior year.
Students pursuing the Human Ecology concentration may select their 16 sh of electives from among Humanities, Social Science, and Natural Science Pillar courses not previously taken; Landscape Sustainability courses not previously taken; and a set including COM 331, ECO 111, ENS 330, ENS 346, ENS 359, ENS 250, ENS 340, and GEO 345.
The exhaustive list of Human Ecology elective options is below. Note that any course taken to satisfy a Pillar or Landscape Sustainability requirement above cannot double count as a Human Ecology elective.
A combination study of Sustainable Food Production and Responsible Design could be accomplished with the Human Ecology concentration.
Examples of Cohesive Paths of Study
Listed are additional examples of cohesive paths of study. Be sure to discuss these, or a path of your own design, with your advisor.
Environmental Policy with a second major in Political Science or Policy Studies
If you are interested in environmental policy perhaps with a second major in Political Science or Policy Studies, the following might be optimal courses from which to choose.
Cohesive path involving evisioning green futures, innovative planning design or entrepreneruship
If you anticipate a future path that involves envisioning green futures, innovative planning, design, or entrepreneurship, especially connected with a second major, this might be a list of courses from which to choose.
| ENS 160 | THE ART OF SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE | 4 sh |
| ENS 311 | SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION | 4 sh |
| ENS 350 | ENVIRONMENTAL VISIONS | 4 sh |
| ENS 360 | GREEN DESIGN: ENVISIONING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE | 4 sh |
| ART 339 | ECO ART | 4 sh |
| COM 331 | ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNICATIONS | 4 sh |
A cohesive path that involves the arts, working with non-profits or schools
If you are contemplating a future path that involves the arts, working with non-profits or schools, or combining the ENS AB Human Ecology with a double major in Art or Communications, or even Management, this might be a list of courses from which to choose.
Elon Core Curriculum:
First Year Foundations
| COR 110 | THE GLOBAL EXPERIENCE | 4 sh |
| ENG 110 | WRITING: ARGUMENT AND INQUIRY | 4 sh |
Select one of the following:
| STS 110 | INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL REASONING | 4 sh |
| MTH 151 | CALCULUS I | 4 sh |
| STS 212 | STATISTICS IN APPLICATION | 4 sh |
Experiential Learning Requirement (2 Units required)
Included in experiential learning are study abroad, research, service-learning, leadership, internships, (including co-ops, teaching, and practicum), or other courses or experiences with ELR designation.
World Language Requirement
Students must meet one of the following: (a)complete a language course numbered 122 or higher at Elon, or receive transfer or study abroad credit for the same; (b) place into a language course numbered 200 or above upon arriving at Elon, using a department of world languages approved placement instrument; (c) score a 4 or 5 on an AP language exam or similar exam. Each student must take the language placement test by October 1 of his or her first full year at Elon. Students are allowed two tries; the higher score is counted. That score stands and may not be repeated by later testing. Consideration for Phi Beta Kappa membership requires the completion of a 222-level world language course or placement beyond that level.
Studies in the Arts and Sciences
Students must fulfill the requirements in each of the following categories.
Transfer students with at least 18 s.h. of transfer credit must complete 32 hours total in Studies in the Arts & Sciences, but may have as few as 7 hours in one or more of the four Studies in the Arts & Sciences areas.
Expression (8 s.h.) ______________ __________________
Eight hours chosen from at least two of the following: literature (in English or world languages), philosophy, and fine arts (art, dance, music, music theatre, and theatre). At least one course must be literature.
Civilization (8 s.h.)_______________ __________________
Eight hours chosen from at least two of the following: history, world languages, art history and religious studies.
Society (8 s.h.) _____________ __________________
Eight hours chosen from at least two of the following: economics, geography, human service studies, political science, psychology, sociology/anthropology, and PHS 201 or PHS 202.
Science/Analysis (Lab:___) (8 s.h.) _____ENS 110____ _____ENS 111/ 113______
Eight hours chosen from one or more of the following: mathematics/statistics, science, and computer science. At least one course must be a physical or biological laboratory science.
Advanced Studies (8 s.h.) __________________ __________________
Eight hours of 300-400 level coursework outside the major field and chosen from areas under Studies in the Arts and Sciences.
COR Interdisciplinary Capstone Seminar (4 s.h.) __________________
300-400 level COR course; requires junior/senior status.
Society (8 s.h.) __ECO 111__ __________
Eight hours chosen from at least two of the following: economics, geography, human service studies, political science, psychology, & sociology/anthropology, and public health studies 201 or 202.
Total Credit Hours: 50-52