Environmental Justice

Faculty

Dr. Patrice Nielson, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies

Description

With a long devotion to social justice rooted in our mission as a Catholic college for women, Trinity offers an Environmental Justice minor, as part of the Global Affairs program. Environmental Justice is the idea that all people, regardless of race, color, ethnicity, or income, have equitable and meaningful involvement in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental policies. A minor in Environmental Justice equips students with the knowledge and skills to advocate for social change and to take action against environmental issues largely affecting marginalized communities. The minor is open to all majors in the College of Arts and Sciences and aligns particularly well with the major programs in Biology, Chemistry, Business Administration, Health Services, Global Affairs, Journalism and Media Studies, Political Science, and Sociology. Students pursuing this minor, across a range of fields, will have numerous opportunities to study and engage in significant environmental work in the greater Washington region.

Students in the environmental justice minor will:

•Understand the history leading to environmental injustices in the world today.
•Be literate in the basic science behind environmental issues.
•Make connections between their chosen career path, impacts on environmental justice, and intersections with other fields of study.
•Find and communicate solutions to environmental issues
•Learn and practice skills necessary to advocate for environmental justice and other causes.
•Identify and get involved with environmental justice organizations.

Minor Requirements

Required Courses (7 credits)
ENVS 101 Discovering Planet EarthIntroduces non-science majors to evolution, earth science, and plate tectonics with an emphasis on the mid-Atlantic region. Labs include use of the scientific method, development of observational skills, computer-assisted learning, and several field trips. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly ENV 101 Discovering Planet Earth.
4 credits
General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area IV
Core Area II: Understanding Self, Society, and Nature
ENVS 280 Environmental Justice SeminarThis course explores the connections between environmental justice, local and global communities, and different career fields. In this course, students will find and attend local environmental justice events during the semester. The class meets once per week to discuss topics including: defining environmental justice, how environmental justice connects to different careers, how to attend a scientific meeting, what they learned from events attended, and applying knowledge to solving real-world environmental justice problems.
*3 credits

Elective Courses – select from each category below (12-15 credits):

Human Systems and the Environment
Choose one of the following:
PHIL 280 Environment Ethics and BeliefsExplores the ethical foundations of the obligation to protect the natural environment sustaining human existence and the tensions between competing valuations of the natural world (anthropocentrism and intrinsic worth). Examines the global effects of unrestrained consumerism and the impact of waste creation upon impoverished and developing nations, as well as the relationship of humans to the natural world from the perspectives of spirituality and a commitment to the common good.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
General Education: Values & Beliefs
ENVS 281 Environmental PollutionUsing historical environmental disasters due to chemical pollutants as case studies, this course centers on developing a framework for analyzing pollution-related problems. Applies toxicological and chemical principles while assessing societal pressures to determine causes, human impacts, and possible solutions to pollution issues, including local environmental justice issues in the Dc metro area. Because environmental problems are multi-disciplinary, considers historical background, public health, politics, and the interaction between science and policy. Engages students in utilizing the framework in an individual project to address a chemical pollution problem the student chooses from anywhere in the world.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
Gen Ed: Capstone
POLS 345 Environmental PoliticsExamines US and global environmental issues from a political science perspective. Introduces key concepts in environmental politics, including social costs, the tragedy of the commons, and ethical dilemmas such as the trade-off between individual and societal benefits or between economic development and environmental protections. Topics include pollution, climate change, deforestation, overfishing, and mineral extraction.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None

Choose one of the following:
BADM 328 Business, Government, and SocietyThis course provides an introductory examination primarily of macroeconomic theory and policy. Its purpose is to assist non-economists in dealing with real world economic issues. The course deals with such topics as economic growth, money and taxes, the balance of payments, exchange rates, international trade, business cycles, and financial markets.
3 credits
Prerequisites: ECON 101 and ECON 102; BADM 226 or BADM 236; PHIL 253
BIOL 113 Biodiversity of Living SystemsWe will use experimental and scientific processes as we investigate how diversity among organisms and behavior is based on: genetics; interactions between living systems; the environment; and evolutionary principles. We will analyze data to determine how these principles support specific behavior of living organisms and contribute to novel scientific knowledge.

Prerequisite: MATH 102.
Corequisite: MATH 123.
BIOL 351 EcologyThis course is an introduction to the major subdisciplines in ecology: behavioral, population, community and ecosystems ecology. Topics studied will include mating systems and life history strategies; population growth; competition and coexistence; predation, herbivory and parasitism; composition and structure of natural communities; global patterns of biodiversity; and biological succession. Students will learn how to collect ecological data in the field and in the laboratory, and to use statistics to analyze their results. Formerly BIO 318 Ecology.
4 credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 113 and MATH 110 is recommended.
ECON 253 Economic DevelopmentExplores why some countries are rich and others are poor, and how countries make the transition from less developed to developed. Goes beyond standard theories of GDP and income growth to consider other dimensions of economic development, such as population growth, health, education, poverty, and internal migration. Examines how governments can choose a development strategy and conduct development-friendly macro policies.
3 credits.
Prerequisites: ECON 101 and ECON 102, or permission of instructor

Global Issues
Choose one of the following:
BADM 210 Is Globalization Good?This course takes a systems approach to understanding and analyzing the complex forces that result in globalization. Students will explore competing definitions/concepts that are used to support as well as critique the consequences of increased global forces in economic, cultural and social terms. The material for this course will be drawn from current topical readings as well as analytic journals. (Note: Although the implications for global business will be discussed, this is not the primary focus of the course discussion. This course will be open to all students who have completed degree hours for sophomore status.)
3 credits
Prerequisite: ECON 100
BADM 307 International BusinessThis course examines the interdependence of the economic, political, environmental, social, and cultural issues facing multinational organizations. Students gain an understanding of international trade, cross-cultural management issues, strategic planning, international marketing, and financial markets. Trade blocs such as NAFTA and the European Union are examined to assess their impact on U.S. organizations and the economy. Formerly BUA 337 International Business Management.
3 credits
Prerequisites: BADM 226 or BADM 236; ECON 102 recommended
ECON 253 Economic DevelopmentExplores why some countries are rich and others are poor, and how countries make the transition from less developed to developed. Goes beyond standard theories of GDP and income growth to consider other dimensions of economic development, such as population growth, health, education, poverty, and internal migration. Examines how governments can choose a development strategy and conduct development-friendly macro policies.
3 credits.
Prerequisites: ECON 101 and ECON 102, or permission of instructor
ENVS 443 Conservation BiologyConsiders current and future management of biodiversity by examining major philosophical and legal traditions, ecological theory, and case histories (e.g., protection of predatory mammals, migratory birds, wetlands and old-growth forest communities). Genetic techniques, the role of zoos, gap analysis, and local stewardship agreements are evaluated. Formerly ENV 430 Conservation Biology.
SOCY 131 Global Social IssuesSurveys the global problems of hunger, overpopulation, energy, pollution, war, and extremism (slavery, apartheid, relocation, genocide), and how they are built into society. Formerly SOC 254 Global Social Issues.
3 credits
FLC Area V
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry
GLBL 382 Energy and Global AffairsExamines diverse issues related to energy and global affairs, including historical, geographical, and geopolitical trends. Topics include evolving US demand/supply issues, the influence of energy on US foreign policy, the impact of energy resources on development, debates over resource conflicts, alternatives to fossil fuels, and the energy/climate policy nexus. Formerly INAF 382 - Oil and International Affairs and INAF 382- Energy and International Affairs
3 credits
Prerequisites: None

Community Action
Choose one of the following:
ENVS 281 Environmental PollutionUsing historical environmental disasters due to chemical pollutants as case studies, this course centers on developing a framework for analyzing pollution-related problems. Applies toxicological and chemical principles while assessing societal pressures to determine causes, human impacts, and possible solutions to pollution issues, including local environmental justice issues in the Dc metro area. Because environmental problems are multi-disciplinary, considers historical background, public health, politics, and the interaction between science and policy. Engages students in utilizing the framework in an individual project to address a chemical pollution problem the student chooses from anywhere in the world.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
Gen Ed: Capstone
SOCY 221 Community Development and Urban ProblemsFocuses on the city and its sub-worlds, discusses its problems and strengths, and suggests a people approach to solutions. Formerly SOC 237 Community Development and Urban Problems.
BADM 330 Sustainability, Innovation & EntrepreneurshipThis course will address the concepts and skill associated with the emerging concern of managing sustainable ("green") businesses. Topics addressed include, the use of innovation to promote sustainability, entrepreneurial business models for sustainability, and overviews of the various areas in which business can be sustainable (products, energy, health, etc). This course is intended to encourage creative thinking. Students will be actively engaged in interactive problem solving, simulation, group work and individual assessments.
3 credits
Prerequisites: PHIL 253, BADM 210 or ECON 102; or Permission of Instructor
WST 369 Women and Community ChangeExplores women's roles in U.S. history from the perspectives of women activists. Examines women's impact on social, political, and cultural change in the U.S. including movements for economic justice, race relations, sexual identity, peace, gender equality, public health, and social welfare. Formerly WST 369 Women and Community Change
3 credits
General Education: Leadership
WST 301 Women, Peacemaking, and NonviolenceConsiders the theoretical foundations of non-violence and explores the application of these principles with reference to the experiences and history of women.
Approved for General Education Capstone.
3 credits

Program Policies

Advanced Placement:
Credits earned through AP examinations do not fulfill requirements of the minor.ƒ

CLEP Policy:
Credits earned through CLEP examinations do not fulfill requirements of the minor.

Grades in Required Courses:
Students are required to earn a grade of “C” (2.0) or better in all courses counted to fulfill requirements for the minor.

Pass/No Pass:
With the exception of internships, courses fulfilling minor requirements may not be taken pass/no pass.

Study Abroad:
Students may meet minor requirements with courses taken during study abroad.

TELL Policy:
The Environmental Justice Program supports and encourages Trinity’s TELL Program. Students applying for experiential learning credit should consult with the program faculty.

Transfer Credits:
Transfer credit from appropriately accredited institutions of higher learning may be counted for minor requirements, dependent on program review and approval. Associations recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEA) confer appropriate accreditation; these associations include but are not limited to regional accreditors.