The Basics

The main goals of the Environmental Studies (ENV) undergraduate program are to inform women about the state of the local and global environment, and to provide tools to become personal and professional leaders in combating environmental problems. The ENV program is flexible, allowing students to make Environmental Studies the focus of their degree or incorporate ENV as a minor. Environmental Studies stands at the intersection of many diverse fields ­ such as biology, chemistry, economics, English, and political science ­ bound together by a focus on the impact of humankind on ecological systems.

The diverse faculty involved in the program share a commitment to addressing environmental issues in a holistic and interdisciplinary manner. The program is closely connected with Chatham's Rachel Carson Institute to ensure that the outreach, education and advocacy agenda of the environmental movement is strongly linked with courses. Students complete a common core of courses and experiences which focus on experiential and service-learning as well as building environmental literacy, multidisciplinary problem-solving skills, and a community of environmentally-oriented students and faculty. All students also complete an internship or service-learning project to ensure that classroom knowledge is translated into practical experience. Students majoring in environmental studies also complete a concentration in policy & advocacy, science (B.A. or B.S.), literature & writing or eco-art. A year-long senior research project is the "capstone" experience for ENV majors.

Chatham's Environmental Studies Program is unique, rigorous and interdisciplinary, yet practical, integrative, flexible and experience-based. Building on the legacy of Rachel Carson, the program is for women who care about the future of the planet and our species!

To learn more, go to: Environmental Studies Web Page

For more information about Environmental Studies at Chatham, please e-mail, call or write:

Dr. Nancy Gift

Acting Director Environmental Studies Chatham College

phone: 412-365-1637

Office: Braun 101

ngift@chatham.edu