Williams College
AC-2: Learning Outcomes

Environmental Studies concentration, Environmental Science major, Environmental Policy major

The major in Environmental Policy brings together core courses in Environmental Studies with relevant coursework in related fields including Economics and Political Science. The goal of the Environmental Policy major is to combine scientific literacy with an understanding of the economic, political and cultural structures involved in institutional decision–making on environmental matters. The major in Environmental Science brings together core courses in Environmental Studies with relevant coursework in a specific scientific discipline. The goal of the major in Environmental Science is to provide training in one of the natural sciences as well as an understanding of the complex array of natural, social and political factors involved in environmental issues. The Environmental Studies concentration provides students with an opportunity to explore how humans interact with the environment, including physical, biological, philosophical, and social elements. The concentration is designed so that students will understand the complexity of issues and perspectives and appreciate that most environmental issues lack distinct disciplinary boundaries. The goal of the concentration is to educate students to be well–informed, environmentally–literate citizens of the planet who have the capacity to become active participants in the local and global community. To this end, the concentration is designed to develop the capability to think in interdisciplinary ways and to use synthetic approaches to solve problems while incorporating the knowledge and experiences gained from majoring in other departments at the College.