Environmental Humanities (EHM)
The Environmental Humanities major, leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree, draws together a range of disciplines to explore human understanding and interpretation of nature. The curriculum integrates disciplines from social sciences and the humanities including: writing, literature, philosophy, history, anthropology, archaeology, and art and architectural history.
The major prepares students to lead efforts to revitalize public understanding of the natural world through nature education, museum work, community organizing, literacy education, advocacy, business, writing and the arts. They may also choose to pursue advanced degrees in literature, journalism, education, social work, the arts, the social sciences and law.
The major builds on the interdisciplinary sustainability core curriculum. Students will enroll in major-specific courses in their junior and senior year. As part of the degree requirements, students will work in teams with students enrolled in related majors to solve problems collaboratively.Students are encouraged to take advantage of local and international independent research opportunities, internships and field camps to gain real-world experience.
Note: Effective Spring 2023, students may not declare the major in Environmental Humanities. Students may instead enroll in the Environmental Humanities track in the BA in Sustainability Studies.
A. Required Foundation Courses for Major (30 credits)
B. Core Courses (12-13 credits)
C. Upper-Division Course Groups (24 credits)
Group 1: Natural Sciences
Choose one of the following:
Students are required to complete 21 credits total from the courses of Groups 2, 3, and 4. Select one course from each of Groups 2 and 3 and two courses from Group 4. The remaining three courses may be selected from any one area or spread across areas as is most relevant to the student. With the permission of the faculty advisor, students may do an independent study or research (SUS 487, SUS 488, or ANP 487) in place of 3 credits in groups 2, 3, or 4.
Other classes may be substituted with permission of undergraduate director.
Group 2: Writing and Literature
Group 3: Social Sciences
Group 4: Digital Skills for the Humanities
Optional Study Abroad Experience (4-6 credits, may be taken to apply to Groups 2, 3, or 4 with permission)
D. Upper-Division Writing Requirement
The advanced writing component of the major in
EHM
requires registration
in the 0-credit SUS 459 and approval of either a term paper or a laboratory report written for an
advanced course in the appropriate major at Stony Brook (including Readings and Research
courses). Completion of SUS 459 with a grade of S will result in approval of the WRTD requirement. A
list of preapproved courses can be
obtained through the department.
Students should consult with the department advisor to ensure that their plan for completing the Upper Division Writing Requirement is consistent with university graduation requirements for General Education. Students completing the Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC) must complete a course that satisfies the "Write Effectively within One's Discipline" (WRTD) learning objective to graduate. The Upper Division Writing Requirement is consistent in most cases with the SBC learning outcomes for WRTD.
Note:
No more than one course (4 credits maximum) with a passing grade lower than C can be credited towards the major. Course taken with the Pass/NC option may not be applied to the major.
Double Majors
Excluding ENV 301 (Sustainability of the Long Island Pine Barrens), SUS 301 (Technical Writing and Communication), SUS 305 (Collective Advocacy and Action), and SUS 401 (Integrative Collaborative Systems Studies), no more than 6 credits of 300-400 level course credits can be applied to two majors within the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences.
Study Abroad
Stony Brook University offers study abroad experiences that are focused on issues of sustainability in Costa Rica, Madagascar, and the Turkana Basin (Kenya). While issues of climate change, water and energy security, sustainable agriculture, environmental justice, sustainable economic development, conservation of unique and threatened ecosystems, population growth, and human health are important everywhere, viewing these issues through the lens of a different place and a different culture provides a valuable perspective. Students are encouraged to participate in study abroad experiences and to talk with their major director to determine how study abroad coursework can be used to fulfill some requirements for their major.
The Environmental Humanities minor is intended for students who seek to complement their chosen major with a foundation in the humanistic aspects of environmental studies and develop skills in one of Environmental Humanities core areas of study.
Requirements for the Minor in Environmental Humanities (EHM)
At least 12 credits applied to the minor may not be applied to any major or other minor. No more than one three-credit course in the minor may be taken under the Pass/No Credit option. All upper-division courses offered for the minor must be passed with a letter grade of C or higher. Completion of the minor requires 21 credits.
Declaration of the Minor
Students should declare the Environmental Humanities minor no later than the middle of their junior year, at which time they should consult with the minor coordinator or undergraduate director and plan their course of study for fulfillment of the requirements.
A. Required courses (12 credits)
One of the following courses:
B. Electives (9 credits)
Choose one of the following courses:
Choose two of the following courses:
FRESHMAN |
---|
FALL | Credits |
---|---|
First Year Seminar 101 | 1 |
WRT 101 | 3 |
SBC 111 | 3 |
MAT 125, MAT 131, or AMS 151 |
3 |
GSS 105 | 3 |
AMS 102 | 3 |
Total | 16 |
SPRING | Credits |
---|---|
First Year Seminar 102 | 1 |
WRT 102 | 3 |
SUS 202 | 3 |
ANT 102 | 3 |
SBC course | 3 |
POL 102 | 3 |
Total | 16 |
SOPHOMORE |
---|
FALL | Credits |
---|---|
SUS 203 | 3 |
SUS 201 | 3 |
ATM 201 or BIO 113 or BIO 115 or CHE/ENV 115 or MAR 101 or MAR 104 or SUS 118 | 3 |
SBC course | 3 |
SBC course | 3 |
Total | 15 |
SPRING | Credits |
---|---|
SUS 305 | 3 |
ATM 201 or BIO 113 or BIO 115 or CHE/ENV 115 or MAR 101 or MAR 104 or SUS 118 | 3 |
SBC course | 3 |
Course Selection Group 2: Writing & Literature | 3 |
SBC course | 3 |
Total | 15 |
JUNIOR |
---|
FALL | Credits |
---|---|
GSS 313/314 | 3 |
Core Course Selection Group 3: Social Sciences | 3 |
Core Course Selection Group 4: Digital Skills for Humanities | 3 |
SBC course | 3 |
SBC course | 3 |
Total | 15 |
SPRING | Credits |
---|---|
Core Course Selection Group 4: Digital Skills for Humanities | 3 |
SBC course | 3 |
Core Course Selection Group 1, 2, or 3 | 3 |
SBC course | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
Total | 15 |
SENIOR |
---|
FALL | Credits |
---|---|
Core Course Selection Group 1, 2, or 3 | 3 |
ENV 304 or GEO 313 or MAR 392 | 3 |
Upper-division SBC | 3 |
Internship/Research Elective/Fieldwork |
3 |
SBC course | 3 |
Total | 15 |
SPRING | Credits |
---|---|
ENV 301 or SUS 401 | 3 |
Core Course Selection Group 1, 2, or 3 | 3 |
SUS 301 | 3 |
Upper-division SBC | 3 |
Upper-division SBC | 3 |
Total | 15 |
Major and Minor in Environmental Humanities
Director: David Taylor
Email: david.j.taylor@stonybrook.edu
Undergraduate Advisor: Nancy Black
Program Office: E2361 Melville Library
Phone: (631) 632-9404
Website: https://www.somas.stonybrook.edu/