Environmental Studies
"By its very nature, ecological literacy demands expansive, synthetic inquiry rather than narrow specialization – a searching for connections and wholes, rather than isolated parts.
The Environmental Studies Program centers on education in natural systems and processes of the Earth, and on the role of humans who both depend on and influence these systems and processes. The aim is to develop compassionate, informed, and responsible citizens who are prepared to offer constructive solutions to environmental problems, and to help heal relationships between people and nature.
The Program advances understanding across many disciplines, including the biological, physical, and social sciences and the humanities. Students use these insights to illuminate the interrelationships between human and non-human realms, meanwhile learning specific skills in critical thinking, in field and laboratory methods, and in oral and written communication. Faculty encourage students to develop a philosophical understanding of, and ethical stance regarding, human- nature interactions and relationships. Students develop the ability to apply their knowledge to “real-world” situations to prepare them for further education and meaningful employment.
Ecological literacy forms an essential part of the foundation of any Environmental Studies Competence – indeed, for all studies at Prescott College. It is the understanding of interrelatedness of all life – human and non-human – in multiple contexts: evolution, ecology, and thermodynamics, along with history, politics, and cultural perspectives. By its very nature, ecological literacy demands expansive, synthetic inquiry rather than narrow specialization – a searching for connections and wholes, rather than isolated parts. Ecology weaves together the earth and life sciences, providing vocabulary for studies of human society and human nature, as well as many of the concepts these studies address (or need to address).
Program courses offer only one way to develop ecological literacy. Through activities inside and outside of the classroom, and through direct experience with nature, informed by reading and interaction with others, students advance their literacy throughout their time at the College.
Environmental Studies Competences
The Program graduates students in the following nine emphasis areas, although students are welcome to pursue a broad course of study across the discipline or devise their own emphasis.
- Agroecology
- Conservation Biology
- Earth Science
- Ecological Design
- Environmental Education
- Environmental Policy
- Human Ecology
- Marine Studies
- Natural History and Ecology (includes research-based field biology and field ecology as well as interpretation)
Bridging Environmental Studies with Other Program Areas
Students can consider formulating competences that bridge Environmental Studies with other realms of study. In some cases, formalized bridges already exist (Environmental Studies and Adventure Education); in others it is up to the student and the Individual Graduation Committee to develop a coherent, meaningful program. For example, students often bridge Environmental Studies and Cultural and Regional Studies (as in natural and cultural studies of a particular country or region) or Arts & Letters (for example, interpreting landscapes with art, photography, or writing).
Agroecology
Agroecology, a cross-disciplinary field emerging over the last ... Learn more >
Conservation Biology
This interdisciplinary field developed rapidly to respond to a ... Learn more >
Earth Science
Earth Science focuses on study of the physical aspects of the natural ... Learn more >
Student-Directed Competence Examples
Adventure Based Environmental Studies
Students venture into a variety of landscapes and gain knowledge to understand and interpret wilderness. They study natural history, ecology, geology, leadership methods, and counseling approaches, a variety of perspectives on the human relationship with nature.
Botany
Students investigate aspects of plant life, including physiological, evolutionary, systematic, and biological aspects of flora. They view information, conduct fieldwork, and share ideas Study includes biology, ecology, geology, mathematical modeling, and conservation biology development.
Environmental Conservation
Biodiversity, sustainability, and ecosystem management with a focus on preserving and conserving natural resources form the framework of this emphasis. within those parameters, students explore sustainable living techniques, applied methods of conservation management, organic agriculture, forestry management, ecology, evolution, ethnobotany, and ecological design.
Ethnobotany
Students explore relationships between humans and plants, studying ecology, life sciences, botany, ethnobiology, horticulture, cultural studies, and hydroponics. Traditional medicine and use of herbs may serve as a means of understanding sustainable, healthy alternatives to pharmaceutical and industrial medicine.
Field Biology
Through the study of living organisms - their structure, function, growth, evolution and distribution - students develop foundations in biology, ecology, conservation, natural history, statistics, evolution, climate, and environmental ethics to gain understanding of life, diversity, and relationships between organic entities.
Field Ecology
Studies include field methodology, ecological theory, practical skills, conservation biology, wildlife management, geology, biology, taxonomy, biogeography, and statistics. The work takes place in habitats of relevant organisms, using the scientific method, hypotheses formation, experimental design, data collection, and analysis.
Wildlife Conservation
Students focus on issues concerning human relationships to land, resources, and wildlife and address the development of this partnership over time. Cultural studies, ecology, land management, conservation sciences, biology, and animal taxonomy are topics of exploration.
Zoology
Students examine animal life, its origins, characteristics, life processes, behavior, evolution, and relationships with other organisms on the cellular level and in large populations. Studies cover ecology, natural history, and evolutionary biology and include field work.
