The Distinctive Nature of Our Program

INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAM

There are three common ways to shape an undergraduate environmental program.

1. Pre-professional program.
Examples: U.W. Stevens Point Natural Resources, UWO Nursing and Education programs.
A pre-professional program focuses on vocational training. It comes after the completion of a liberal arts education in the first two years of college. Emphasis is in-depth disciplinary knowledge and what is called “instrumental rationality”: the ability to use reason to work effectively within an accepted social system. Such programs are usually and gain entry-level jobs.

2. Specialized interdisciplinary programs .
Examples: Environmental Science and Environmental Policy majors at U.W. Green Bay .
A specialized interdisciplinary program focuses on from several disciplines within a division. For instance, an Environmental Science program integrates knowledge from biology, geology, chemistry, and geography. An Environmental Policy program focuses on political science, economics, and sociology. Such programs develop extensive and deep expertise within that branch of knowledge and prepares students for graduate school or entry-level jobs.

3. Fully interdisciplinary, liberal art programs .
Examples: Environmental Studies at UWO and U.W. Madison.
A fully interdisciplinary program considers environmental issues within the framework of a broad, interdisciplinary education . It draws on and integrates knowledge from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Such a program develops the student’s ability to recognize and deal effectively with the full complexity of environmental issues: scientific facts, political theories, economic principles, ethical issues, aesthetic values, etc. In doing so, it develops the student’s
>> ability to recognize how ideas, values, and practical problems require knowledge of various disciplines,
>> ability to integrate knowledge from various disciplines in understanding ideas and values and in solving practical problems,
>> ability to evaluate differing positions and arguments in a rational and open-minded way,
>> ability to “think out of the box.”

LIBERAL ARTS PROGRAM

The UWO program is also firmly based in the liberal arts. What is “liberal arts”? The UWO College of Letters and Science puts it this way:

“ A liberal arts education transcends preparation for specific careers. A liberal arts education prepares students to be responsible citizens who understand and contribute to the changing world in which they live. It exposes students to a broad spectrum of knowledge about the human experience and the natural world, from contemporary science to literature, music and art. It enhances the skills of communication and critical thinking. It challenges students to appreciate their cultural heritage, to be sensitive to diverse traditions and opinions and to value truth. It encourages students to develop a lifelong commitment to inquiry. In sum, a liberal arts education develops the whole person who values knowledge for its own sake as well as for the achievement of specific objectives.” < http://www.uwosh.edu/colleges/cols/home.htm>

Placed within the framework and goals of the liberal arts, an Environmental Studies program

• challenges students with a variety of approaches, genres, and sensitivities to nature, from science to poetry, in order to develop a more rounded perspective on nature and society;
• challenges students by studying the way various cultures and historical periods have thought about and interacted with nature and society;
• challenges students by exposing them to a variety of environmental and political perspectives, some of which are very different from the dominant ideologies of our time.

These challenges develop what is called “substantive rationality”: the use of reason to critically analyze and assess fundamental ideas, values, and worldviews, including those that are accepted in our society. Such a program enables students to think critically and creatively about complex environmental issues. We feel that such ability is essential to the student’s future career and to the student becoming an informed and responsible citizen able to engage in the complex and ever-changing issues faced by members of a democracy.

With this emphasis on critical thinking, career preparation in such a program is not limited to vocational training. It also aims at developing the ability of students to become creative in their fields, and to become leaders in their fields. In addition, the interdisciplinary nature of the program gives students a greater ability to change fields during their career. Changing field, and even careers, is not uncommon, and environmental careers are rapidly expanding and diversifying. Thus it has been argued that “Environmental Studies should educate students for careers that don’t yet exist.” We believe a fully interdisciplinary program is the best way to do that.

A FLEXIBLE, COMPLEMENTARY PROGRAM

Some Environmental Studies program are “stand alone” majors. By completing the major, students get a full undergraduate education that prepares them for graduate school or a job. But an interdisciplinary Environmental Studies program is so broad and inclusive that students enter the major with a wider range of interests and goals than any other academic program. In order to create a stand alone major, it is usually necessary to have a very large number of requirements and restrict somewhat the ability of students to focus on their particular interests.

At UWO, we take a different direction. The major itself provides a broad interdisciplinary education, and then it also requires that students complement the ES courses with a special expertise that fits their interests and goals. As a result, students are required to have at least a minor in some other department. In most cases, students should double major, say in Geography or Political Science. In some cases it may make sense for a student to double minor, say in Geography and Geology or Economics and International Studies. In still other cases it may make sense for a student to complete a minor and a well-chosen cluster of other courses that prepares them for a career. The specific complementary expertise should be chosen by the student in consultation with their advisor.

Whatever the case, in preparing for careers students, should gain experienceoutside the classroom that is related to their interests. Such experiences could be an internship, a summer job, special training (such as by the DNR), or volunteering. These possibilities should be discussed with the advisor.

A CHALLENGING PROGRAM
The Environmental Studies at UWO is a challenging program in various ways.

>> The courses themselves are rigorous, demanding substantial study time and high-level intellectual engagement.
>> Students must be able to do well in a broad range of courses, including the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
>> Students are challenged to consider a wide diversity of political, philosophical, and cultural perspectives and various approaches to environmental problems.
>> Students engage in "substantial rationality," using critical thinking to questions basic assumptions and values as well as employing creative thinking to form their own worldview.
>> Students must be able to integrate knowledge from various disciplines, particularly in the interdisciplinary seminars ES 370: Environmental Science, Policy, and Problem Solving and ES 490: Senior Seminar
>> In the capstone Senior Seminar, students are required to complete an honors-type senior thesis.
>> Students must take the initiative to follow through with the ES career preparation program, which encourages students to gain practical experience and gives guidance on learning about ES careers and jobs.