Principia College
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

Global perspectives students look at complex issues such as poverty, ecosystem degradation, child labor, and the mistreatment of women and minorities—issues that know no geographic bounds. Drawing on environmental studies, religion, the arts, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, and history, students learn how to understand, respond to, and participate in solving complex global problems

The BA in environmental studies provides a science-based, interdisciplinary focus on human-environment interaction. The major is grounded in biology with classes in natural resources, economics, sociology, education, earth science, chemistry, and math. A geology specialization is available

Sustainability is one of the 21st century’s most theoretically and practically complex fields of study. The purpose of the interdisciplinary minor in sustainability is to provide an opportunity for students to focus their intellectual inquiry on issues and problems related to local and global sustainability. Students consider problems and explore solutions from the perspective of a "triple bottom line," recognizing that truly sustainable decisions often must reconcile divergent priorities associated with ecological, social, and corporate points of view. The program is designed to complement any Principia College major. As part of the minor, students complete an introductory course, a sustainability project of their own design, and four electives drawn from five academic spheres: Social sphere: Courses explore how human behavior, ethical and theological values, and societal organization relate to increasing sustainability. Business and economics sphere: Courses examine business practices and governance systems that lead to sustainable economies. Ecology and natural resources sphere: Courses focus on sustainable natural resource use and management, environmental issues, solutions to resource needs, and conservation. Built environment sphere: Courses focus on how human and mechanical systems of everyday life can be designed to reduce resource consumption and environmental damage, promote regenerative processes, encourage innovation, build community, and enhance quality of life. Leadership and communication sphere: Courses prepare students to become successful "change agents" by examining strategies for motivating sustainable behavior, communicating effectively, resolving conflict, and developing effective and ethical leadership skills.