BA in Environmental Studies in Hanover United States | Dartmouth College

We inspire and equip students to tackle the complex issues surrounding human-environment relationships. Environmental decline presents growing challenges at every scale, from local communities to the global stage. Our fundamental purpose is to educate students in analyzing and solving these environmental issues, making environmental studies a vital part of contemporary liberal arts education. Environmental Studies examines Earth and humanity's role within it as interconnected socio-ecological systems. To grasp this complexity, the program synthesizes approaches from natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities as complementary analytical frameworks. We transcend disciplinary boundaries by developing creative methodologies that combine traditional fields in groundbreaking ways. The program's academic focus spans environmental policy, ecosystem dynamics, ecological economics, biodiversity protection, climate change, and sustainable agriculture. A hallmark of environmental studies is direct involvement with pressing environmental challenges. Sustainability serves as a key framework for this practical application, posing the critical question: How can humanity thrive without diminishing opportunities for future generations? Several courses emphasize experiential learning about sustainability (ENVS 3: Environment and Society: Towards Sustainability, ENVS 50: Environmental Problem Analysis, and the Africa Foreign Study Program). To serve diverse student interests, we provide an Environmental Studies major along with two minors: Environmental Studies (with optional tracks in Environmental Studies, Sustainability, or Sustainable Energy) and Environmental Science. Our Africa Foreign Study Program journeys through South Africa and Namibia, examining environmental themes within the unique ecological, cultural, and historical context of southern Africa.