Course Catalog 2022-2023 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Environmental Studies
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Jay Fiskio, Professor of Environmental Studies and Comparative American Studies, Program Director
Paul Brehm, Assistant Professor of Economics and Environmental Studies
Swapna Pathak, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies
John E. Petersen, Paul Sears Professor of Environmental Studies and Biology
Md Rumi Shammin, Professor of Environmental Studies
 Visit the program webpage for up-to-date information on program faculty, visiting lecturers and special events.
The Environmental Studies (ENVS) Program provides an interdisciplinary approach to the study of human interactions with the environment. Faculty in environmental studies are engaged in research and teaching that span climate change, energy systems, systems ecology, natural resources and conflict, indigenous environmental issues, political ecology, environmental economics, environmental humanities, environmental justice, food and agriculture, urban sustainability, US environmental policy, and global environmental issues and politics. They collaborate with indigenous, African diaspora, and Asian communities, as well as with local, county, and “Rust Belt” communities in the Great Lakes bioregion.
 See information about Research, Internships, Study Away, and Experiential Learning (RISE).
Advanced Placement
ENVS 101 , an interdisciplinary course that emphasizes a social science perspective, is strongly recommended for all ENVS majors. However, majors or intended majors with AP credits who wish to be exempted from taking ENVS 101 at Oberlin College may do so under the following circumstances:
- Score a 5 on the Advanced Placement Environmental Science examination; and
- Take one upper-level course in either the Arts and Humanities or the Social and Behaviorial Sciences division from the program’s list of approved courses as a substitute for ENVS 101 and in addition to the major’s other requirements.
Declaring the Environmental Studies Major
The major should be declared by the end of a student’s sophomore year or earlier. Students interested in declaring an ENVS major should proceed according to the following sequence:
- Carefully read through the “Course Requirements for the Major” and the “Curricular Pathways Requirements” sections below.
- From the ENVS Program Office or the program’s web page, obtain the “ENVS Major Flowchart,” “Checklist of ENVS Major Requirements,” and “Curricular Pathways for Environmental Studies Majors” documents. After reviewing these documents, contact a potential ENVS advisor, and schedule a time to discuss the major. The current list of advisors is available from the ENVS Program Office and the ENVS website. Please contact the Program Office or ENVS Director for assistance with finding an advisor.
- In consultation with your advisor, discuss your interests in ENVS and identify an appropriate ‘area of interest’ within the major. Complete the Registrar’s Declaration of Major form along with the Checklist of ENVS Major Requirements.
- Submit these forms, signed by your advisor and the ENVS Director to the ENVS Program Office. These documents constitute an agreement between you and the ENVS Program as to the content of your major.
Declaring the Environmental Studies Minor
A student interested in a focused, but less extensive, study of the environment may pursue a minor in Environmental Studies by submitting a one-page rationale to the program director along with a completed “Declare Initial Minor” form obtained from the Registrar.
An applicant’s rationale statement should clearly explain the goals that they hope to achieve by pursuing the minor and should describe how courses taken and planned provide a cohesive focus that contributes to fulfilling these goals.
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Majors and Minors
Courses
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