Program in Environmental Studies

 

Understanding our environment involves learning about the world around us from many different perspectives. The liberal arts curriculum at North Central is designed for students with diverse interests. You will to learn how to be scholars, and researchers and stewards of the environment. Located in Naperville, IL in the middle of a wonderfully complex mixture of urban, suburban, agricultural, prairie, wetland, and woodland habitats, North Central students have an opportunity to gain experience with a wide variety of environments and ecological challenges. Through North Central’s award-winning international program, ENVI students also have the opportunity to study environmental issues around the world.

Students interested in interdisciplinary approaches to environmental issues can choose from these majors:

Environmental Studies (BA) includes humanities courses on environmental ethics, history, and literature as well as social science courses on environmental policy, and international issues.

Environmental Science (BA or BS) offers courses on issues such as ecology, climate change, and energy grounded in biology, chemistry, and physics.

Environmental Business (BA) takes advantage of North Central College’s combination of liberal arts and pre-professional departments to offer courses in sustainability, green business, and environmental economics taught by business, accounting, and economics professors.

Environmental Science Education (BS) is completed in conjunction with a BA Secondary Education and prepares students for employment as a secondary school educator.

We also offer a minor in Environmental Studies.

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Environmental Studies, B.A.

The interdisciplinary field of Environmental Studies gives students a detailed understanding of complex environmental issue at local, regional, national and global leves using the diverse tools and perspectives of the natural and social sciences, humanities and business. The BA Environmental Studies emphasizes humanistic connections to the environment.

For additional information and courses in this program, see Environmental Studies.

Core Courses

Electives

Eight credit hours from the following:

16 credit hours from the following two lists, with at least 12 hours from the 300/400 level

Eight credit hours from the following:

Eight credit hours from the following:

Additional Required Course

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Environmental Science, B.S.

Environmental Science gives students a detailed understanding of complex environmental issue at local, regional, national and global leves using the diverse tools and perspectives of the natural sciences. This interdisciplinary approach, connecting with the perspectives of social science, the humanities and business, offers a valuablemajor to students in using scientific methods to study environmental issues and processes.

For additional information and courses in this program, see Environmental Studies.

Core Courses

Electives

22-24 credit hours from the following:

Eight credit hours from the following:

Required Support Courses

Environmental Science, B.A.

The interdisciplinary field of Environmental Studies gives students a detailed understanding of complex environmental issue at local, regional, national and global leves using the diverse tools and perspectives of the natural and social sciences, humanities and business. The BA Environmental Science emphasizes natural scientific investigations of natural ecological systems.

For additional information and courses in this program, see Environmental Studies.

Core Courses

Electives

12 credit hours from the following, with at least 4 from the 300/400 level:

Eight credit hours from the following, with at least four from the 300/400 level:

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Environmental Science Education, B.S.

Environmental Studies/Science gives students a detailed understanding of complex environmental issues at the local, regional, national and global level using the diverse tools and perspectives of the natural sciences, as well as social sciences, humanities and business. This interdisciplinary approach offers a valuable major to students seeing to understand the full complexity of environmental issues. Our goal is to prepare students to be environmental leaders in their chosen field by cultivating an awareness of local to global issues, an appreciation of cultural and historical factors, as well as new technological developments.

The B.S. environmental science-education major prepares a student for employment as a secondary school educator. It allows students more breadth to their college degree where they pair their environmental science studies with requirements from the education discipline. This degree track is tailored to be compatible and must be completed with a secondary education, B.A. major.

Core Courses

Electives

Two of the Following:

Note:

One of the two courses needs to be: ENVI 225, ENVI 230 or ENVI 240 .

Advanced Electives

Eight credit hours in either Biology, Chemistry or Environmental Studies with at least four credit hours of coursework needing to have a lab component:

Completion of the Secondary Education, B.A. major requirements with EDUC 446 taken as the methods course.

Environmental Business, B.A.

The interdisciplinary field of Environmental Studies gives students a detailed understanding of complex environmental issue at local, regional, national and global leves using the diverse tools and perspectives of the natural and social sciences, humanities and business. The BA Environmental Business emphasizes business, economic and management connections to the environment.

For additional information and courses in this program, see Environmental Studies.

Core Courses

Electives

Twelve credit hours from the following:

Eight credit hours from the following:

Eight credit hours from the following:

Additional Required Course

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Environmental Studies Minor

An Environmental Studies Minor provides a basic interdisciplinary understanding of national and global environmental issues. Students study a core of four environmental courses that combine the disciplinary perspectives of the humanities, social sciences, sciences and business and take two upper-level courses in any other environmental studies course of their choice. Students who choose an Environmental Studies Minor typically use it as a complement to a minor in a related academic discipline, such as political science, history, biology, chemistry or business. 

For additional information and courses in this program, see Environmental Studies.

A minimum of 24 credit hours, including:

Core Courses

Electives

Two Environmental Studies courses, with at least one at the 300-level.

NOTE: The courses listed herein have been approved by the faculty as authorized by the Board of Trustees.  Prerequisites (if any) and the General Education Requirement(s) which each course fulfills (if any) are noted following each course description.

Current course offerings are available in Merlin.

ENVI 103 The Science of Water – From Wet to Wild
(Same as: BIOL 103). Water is synonymous with life on our planet. More specifically, access to freshwater is key to like in most terrestrial ecosystems and a crisis of access is brewing globally. In this seminar course, we will discuss the science of freshwater, how ecosystems rife with it (swamps, marshes, etc.) provide us with important services and how protecting freshwater ecosystems can help protect biodiversity. We will use the Great Lakes as our local model to explore each of these topics. Includes integrated laboratory experience.
Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Sciences.
iCon(s): Experiencing Place, Sustaining Our World.

ENVI 105 The Science of Climate Change (4.00)
Introduces the evidence for anthropogenic climate change, including how the global climate system works, the impact of human activities on climate, and climate modeling to predict future patterns. Examines physical, chemical and biological impacts of climate change and the pros and cons of options available to ameliorate the changes now underway. Includes integrated laboratory experience.
Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Science.
iCon(s): Sustaining Our World.

ENVI 106 Introduction to Environmental Science (4.00)
(Same as BIOL 106.) An overview of biological and physical processes that affect the environment in the context of current environmental issues. Topics include population, community, ecosystem ecology, conservation biology, water and air pollution and natural resource management. Includes integrated laboratory experience.
Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Science, Global Understanding.
iCon(s): Experiencing Place, Sustaining Our World.

ENVI 120 People and Nature (4.00)
Introduction to interdisciplinary approaches from humanities, social sciences, sciences and sustainable business to understanding the economic, scientific, social and cultural complexity of U.S., transnational and global environmental issues. Introduces basic principles of environmental science, core texts from American environmental writers and essentials for understanding US environmental policy.
Cardinal Directions Designation(s): U.S. Power Structures.

ENVI 210 Sustainability in a Changing World (4.00)
Students learn competing definitions of sustainability, study its practical application on campus and in the Chicago metropolitan area, and investigate what is required from all of us to achieve sustainability. Topics include management of water, waste, energy, food production and mitigation of effects on “people, planet, profit”. The course includes community engaged learning and field trips to sustainable projects in action.
Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Community Engaged Learning.
iCon(s): Sustaining Our World.

ENVI 224 Environmental Literature (4.00)
(Same as ENGL 224.) Encompasses the study of classics of nature writing from Anglo-American literary traditions and the practice of eco-criticism, which analyzes a much wider range of novels and other texts in order to understand the various ways that literature participates in cultural formations of the relationships among humans, their environment and other forms of life. Texts studied include a wide range of genres (poetry, non-fiction, novels, including sci-fi) and periods from the 19th century to the present.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 104, ENGL 106, ENGL 108 or ENGL 200; ENVI 120.

ENVI 225 Environmental Ethics (4.00)
(Same as: PHIL 225.) After a brief examination of philosophical and ethical frameworks, the following will be considered: the history of environmental ethics; the problem of the "moral status" of nonhuman animals and other aspects of nature; the environment and "the good life"; ethical issues related to population growth, sustainability, diminishing/vanishing resources, and the use of cost/benefit analysis in environmental policy.
Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities, Ethical Dimensions.

ENVI 230 US Environmental Policy
The basic elements of U.S. environmental policy are covered through the interdisciplinary examination of classic and current policy cases. Students will learn essential analytical frameworks, as well as the basic process of how U.S. environmental policies are made.
Prerequisite(s): ENVI 120.
Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Writing Intensive.

ENVI 240 Environmental Economics (4.00)
(Same as: ECON 240.) Examines the impact of economic activity on the environment and the shortcomings of the market system in valuing environmental costs and benefits. Traditional regulation of the U.S. economy, including command and control policies are briefly discussed. Recent development and application of new and potential economic instruments to improve environmental quality are the focus; other topics covered include the valuation of environmental resources and prospects for sustainable development. 

ENVI 248 American Environmental History (4.00)
(Same as HIST 248.) This broad exploration of American history from an environmental perspective examines the ways that different groups of Americans adapted to and changed the landscape, and analyzes their ideas about nature. The course begins in the colonial era and examines nineteenth-century economic growth and twentieth-century environmental awareness. Key themes include the new perspective of environmental history, the role of region in America, and reading the landscape.

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities, Ethical Dimensions, U.S. Power Structures.
iCon(s): Experiencing Place, Innovating the World, Sustaining Our World.

ENVI 250 Field Biology (1.00-3.00)
(Same as: BIOL 250.) Field study in biology: students work off-campus in a field environment for research in ecology, zoology, botany, environmental science or related areas. Timing and location vary according to faculty interests and research opportunities. May be offered May term, summer, or in conjunction with study abroad. Recent offerings include study of desert ecology in Arizona and estuarine ecology on the Gulf Coast. May be repeated once with different content and instructor approval.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 220.

ENVI 251 Environmental Careers
Students will learn about career and post-graduation options related to the broad fields of environmental studies and science. Course content will include how to prepare a resume, a CV, an effective cover letter, as well as skills in finding suitable internships and career positions. Students will reflect on personal strengths and areas of professional growth. Content will be delivered through guest speakers, class discussions, readings and professional development exercises. Students are required to prepare a literature review relevant to their environmental internship or research experience, as well as attend the weekly ENVI 475 seminar series and evaluate the presentations.
Prerequisite(s): ENVI 230 or Instructor Consent and Concurrent Enrollment in ENVI 375.
Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Career Preparation.

ENVI 255 Agriculture and the Environment:Educating Tomorrow’s Consumers (4.00)
Introduces economic and environmental considerations facing contemporary agriculture. Surveys the environmental impact of an array of past agricultural practices and present-day technologies and innovations from crops to livestock, conventional and precision farming to organic practices. Includes field trips to a variety of farms and agribusinesses in the region.
Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Social Science, Global Understanding, Community Engaged Learning.
iCon(s): Sustaining Our World.

ENVI 260 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (4.00)
Geographic Information Science (GIS) links data to locations to explore spatial relationships. GIS is a research and problem-solving tool used in sciences, social sciences, and business analytics for mapping and evaluating the relationship between different spatial information. This course introduces basic GIS concepts such as spatial data sources and structures, projections and coordinate systems, data editing and creation and geospatial analysis.

ENVI 290 Topics in Contemporary Environmental Issues (4.00)
Intensive study of a selected topic in environmental studies that integrates principles and approaches from a specific discipline or methodology to explore a particular environmental issue or perspective.
Prerequisite(s): ENVI 120 or Junior standing.

ENVI 300 Environmental Internship
Professional internships can be invaluable and challenging learning experiences, requiring the student to apply theories and concepts to specific workplace situations. ENVI 300 is to be taken concurrently with (or immediately after) the student’s environmental internship (minimum of 90 hours). In the course, students dedicate intentional time to process and reflect on the internship experience while also learning from peers about their experiences. Objectives for the course include integrating classroom learning with real-life experiences, exploring potential career fields, building a network of professional contacts, and considering effective ways to navigate potential tensions between personal values and those of the worksite.
Prerequisite(s): ENVI 251.
Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Career Experiential.

ENVI 303 Environmental Cost Analysis (4.00)
(Same as: ACCT 303.) Accounting and business concepts are applied to sustainability projects within the greater College community. After covering a foundation of cost and managerial accounting concepts, students will work on teams to plan, implement and assess environmental opportunities available to the College. Projects may include cost-benefit analysis, capital budgeting or sustainability certification opportunities.
Prerequisite(s): ACCT 202, ECON 240 and ENVI 105.

ENVI 305 Cultural Ecology (4.00)
(Same as: ANTH 305.) Examines human engagements with the physical environment from early Homo sapiens to the present. Topics include major adaptive strategies (foraging, horticulture, intensive agriculture, pastoralism and industrialism) and their social correlates and environmental consequences; factors that lead to collapse of complex societies in the archaeological past; mercantile and colonial engagements and resulting changes in resource use; and contemporary resource conflicts between small-scale societies and states and corporate interests.
Prerequisite(s): One of: ANTH 145, ANTH 165 or ENVI 120.
Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Social Science, Global Understanding.
iCon(s): Innovating the World, Sustaining Our World.

ENVI 310 Energy and the Environment (4.00)
Increasing worldwide demand for energy presents complex environmental, economic and political challenges. This course examines our current U.S. energy system and the political factors that govern it, the environmental and economic trade-offs for a variety of fossil fuels and alternative energy sources, the environmental and economic compromises necessary to power the world in the 21st century and possible paths to a sustainable energy future.
Prerequisite(s): One of: ENVI 105, ENVI 106 or ENVI 210.

ENVI 315 Global Environmental Perspectives​​​​​​​ (4.00)
This case-based class examines a range of international environmental issues and the basics of international environmental lawmaking, then asks students to apply their understanding in a simulated United Nations negotiation to develop an environmental treaty.
Prerequisite(s): ENVI 230.

ENVI 320 Physical Geography
The simple ingredients of water, soil, rocks and gravity combine to produce wonderfully complex landscapes on Earth. This course examines how some of Earth’s physical processes (e.g., hydrologic, geomorphologic, meteorologic) create and modify those landscapes. Students will learn the design and execution of field research techniques in physical geography (field notes, sketching, soil and water sampling, and mapping) through team and individual research projects. Briefly considered is how landscapes affect natural phenomena such as vegetation and wildlife. Laboratory required.
Prerequisite(s): Two courses from BIOL 195, BIOL 205, CHEM 121, ENVI 106, PHYS 131, PHYS 161 or Instructor Consent.

ENVI 325 Environmental Justice (4.00)
Examines the concept of environmental justice through interdisciplinary lenses. Beginning by examining different definitions of “environmental justice,” various frameworks are used to analyze environmental issues through the lens of social justice and human inequality. Through selected case studies, the course examines a number of topics and questions, which include the advantages and drawbacks of current systems of production and consumption, who bears the burdens and who enjoys the benefits of our current environmental and social system and what kinds of alternatives are available.

ENVI 362 Topics in Business Sustainability​​​​​​​ (4.00)
An introduction to business sustainability, through readings and conversations about topics such as: the distinction between bolt-on versus integrated sustainability strategies, sustainability’s effects on supply chains and the local and global communities, globalization’s effect on sustainability, managing sustainability in services and in manufacturing industries, finally how sustainability efforts are perceived by other stakeholders.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing.

ENVI 375 Symposium in Environmental Experiential Component​​​​​​​ (0.00)
In this portion of the experiential requirement for the Environmental Studies major, students, faculty and occasional guest speakers present research, internship and activist experiences. Students taking this course observe, question, discuss and analyze presented research results. Environmental Studies majors take this course once prior to presenting their own work in ENVI 475.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing.

ENVI 380 Urban/Suburban/Rural Environmental Nexus (4.00)
The Chicago metropolitan locale provides an ideal location to study the intersections of urban, suburban and rural environmental issues such as regional environmental interdependence, urban ecology, sustainable cities, suburban sprawl, transportation, restoration/reuse of brownfields, green spaces in urban, suburban and rural environments and agriculture and the city. This course explores these issues with particular attention to their relationship to the local history and politics of Chicago.
Prerequisite(s): ENVI 120 and Junior standing.

ENVI 397 Internship (0.00-12.00)
Instructor consent required.

ENVI 399 Independent Study (1.00-12.00)
Instructor consent required.

ENVI 420 Applied Environmental Science
An integration of laboratory and field-based investigations into environmental questions drawing from student interest and prior course work in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Physical Geography. Students will be expected to complete original investigative methodologies and data analysis. Topics may include the study of local prairies, wetlands, rivers or other ecosystem types, as well as the influence of human activities on those systems.
Prerequisite(s): ENVI 320.

ENVI 462 Sustainability Performance Measurement (4.00)
(Same as BUSN 462.) Sustainability performance measurement is analyzed in detail including its objective, importance, and the many conditions that affect the method employed for measurement. More specific topics covered include: various sustainability performance measurement frameworks, the challenges and opportunities of sustainability performance measurement, performance measurement differences in service/manufacturing and distinct industries, and performance measurement within different scopes: event, product, company, supply chain.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing.

ENVI 470 Environmental Problem Solving​​​​​​​ (4.00)
In this practice-based class, students draw upon their interdisciplinary knowledge of the values and motivations of a variety of stakeholders and methods of iterative, evidence-based, interdisciplinary problem solving, to serve as pro bono environmental consultants for local nonprofit organizations, local governments or businesses. Community Engaged Learning.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing.

ENVI 475 Symposium in Environmental Experiential Component​​​​​​​ (1.00)
In this portion of the experiential requirement for the Environmental Studies major, students, faculty and occasional guest speakers present research, internship and activist experiences in the format of a professional meeting. Majors who have completed their experiential project take the symposium for one credit hour and present the results of their experiential project.
Prerequisite(s): Completion of experiential project and ENVI 375.

ENVI 497 Internship (0.00-12.00)
Instructor consent required.

ENVI 499 Independent Study (1.00-12.00)
Instructor consent required.

Extra-curricular and professional activities that will enrich your environmental studies education.

The very nature of environmental studies makes learning outside the classroom an added perk. Faculty encourage first-hand learning by accompanying students to areas studied in class or as part of research projects. Jeff Anstine teaches Ecotourism. He accompanies students to Costa Rica, the first country to pledge to be "carbon neutral" by 2021, to see environmental-friendly policies in action. Martha Bohrer teaches Midwest Dune Ecology and Nature Writing. She arranges for students to study ecology in their own backyard.