Berea College
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

The interdisciplinary field of Peace and Social Justice Studies focuses on practical questions of how to realize peace and justice in the everyday world. We are concerned with building peace with justice locally: with families, communities and organizations, and we also strive to reduce injustice and build peace nationally and internationally. Through our classes, programs and interactions, PSJ students and faculty seek to understand, respond, and reduce conflict on both individual and social levels develop approaches to and methods for prevention and resolution of war, genocide, terrorism, and violations of human rights and contribute to the development of social systems and societies that promote peace with social justice.

Berea College is one of few liberal arts colleges in the United States offering an academic program in agriculture and natural resources (ANR). The ANR Program’s curriculum provides all students with a sound foundation in ANR. It also provides flexible options to pursue training in particular areas of interest. The curriculum consists of: introductory courses that cover general concepts in depth interrelationships in ANR more specialized electives that allow students to pursue particular areas of interest. These areas include plant and soil sciences, animal science and natural resources management. ANR curriculum ensures that graduates know and understand scientific facts and principles regarding: soils, plants, animals, economics and ecology. Students will: Know and understand scientific facts and principles pertaining to soils, plants, animals, economics, and ecology. Have the ability to apply those facts and principles to the management of agriculture and natural resources systems. Understand agriculture and natural resources within the broader societal contexts of culture, ecology, economics, politics, and history, as well as from different perspectives. Be capable of studying and analyzing agricultural and natural-resource production systems to address problems or questions using appropriate scientific methods of planning, data collection, quantitative analysis, and, presentation. Be able to locate, interpret, critically evaluate, synthesize, and present information through writing and speech. Be able to apply appropriate technology for managing agriculture and natural resources Examine and prepare for career opportunities in agriculture and natural resources, including graduate education.

Sustainability and Environmental Studies (SENS) is an interdisciplinary program centered on ecological design—the purposeful integration of human actions with the structures and functions of the natural world. The goal of the SENS program is to help students acquire the knowledge and practical skills necessary to prosper in a world that faces unprecedented threats to environmental and economic well-being, while contributing to the development of resilient communities and a sustainable society.

The College does not offer a major in Sustainability and Environmental Studies. However, students interested in proposing an Independent Major in this area should consult with the SENS Program Chair or faculty members. The major in Peace and Social Justice and the major in Agriculture and Natural Resources are both very good choices for sustainability students. In addition to supporting students' achievement of the Aims of General Education, the Sustainability & Environmental Studies Program seeks to assist students in meeting the following learning goals and associated learning outcomes: