Environmental Studies

Introduction

Students, faculty, and staff in the Department of Environmental Studies approach environmental understanding and problem solving through diverse programs that examine interacting social and natural systems. By putting the social sciences, natural sciences, humanities, and environmental professions into direct dialogue, the department’s curriculum is designed to help students make the intellectual connections and gain the practical skills necessary for building socially and environmentally sustainable futures.

The department’s undergraduate programs include major specializations in environmental education, environmental policy, geography, and urban planning and sustainable development, as well as an interdisciplinary major in environmental studies. The department also offers joint programs with the College of Business and Economics, Woodring College of Education, and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. A range of minors, including Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Geographic Information Science (GIS), Energy Policy, and Sustainable Design, and Geographic Information Certificate are also available. These programs direct students to specific environmental career paths or provide an excellent background for advanced study in education, law, natural resource management, public administration, urban and environmental planning, and other fields. The department also offers advanced study through graduate degrees in Environmental Education and Environmental Studies.

Faculty

The faculty’s work in this department is diverse, yet tied together by a shared commitment to ongoing interdisciplinary exchange. Faculty are trained in anthropology, education, engineering, geography, history, law, natural resources management, political science, psychology, urban and regional planning, and related fields. Active research programs keep faculty at the forefront of these fields as they intersect with environmental studies. Department academic programs also draw upon the expertise of colleagues in other units of the University, such as the departments of economics and political science.

Department Resources

Department facilities support applied student learning in the 38-computer spatial analysis lab with a complete suite of state-of-the-art GIS, cartography, and remote sensing software, GPS receivers, and extensive local data sets. Facilities also include the planning studio and environmental education lab. Experiential learning is emphasized in many of our programs, taking students into the field, from the local to the international, where they apply their skills and knowledge to current problems. Student work has received recognition from state, national, and international organizations for exceptional problem-solving solutions, which use geographic information science and computer-aided design.

Major Declaration

How to Apply as a Pre-Major:

At any time, you can declare yourself as a pre-major with interest in any of the majors in the Department of Environmental Studies. There are several advantages to declaring an Environmental Studies department pre-major during your freshman or sophomore year. Once you are declared as a pre-major you are assigned a Huxley professional advisor and a faculty advisor based on your academic interests. Your professional advisor can help you understand graduation requirements and how to navigate through the Huxley curriculum. Your faculty advisor can discuss with you which courses to take, and when, and give you advice about how to prepare for graduate school or a future career. As a pre-major, your email is added to an email distribution list for Huxley majors so you will begin to receive notifications and general announcements. Pre-major status will also give you access to priority registration for some classes.

How to Apply to the Major:

Admission to environmental studies majors is a competitive process. Admission requires completion of the major’s foundation courses with a B- or better in ENVS 201, ENVS 203, ENVS 303 and ENVS 305, as well as satisfactory GPA in all other coursework. You must then submit an application that includes a 1- to 2-page essay describing your reasons for wanting to enter into one of the five ENVS majors (Environmental Education, Environmental Studies, Geography, Urban Planning, or Policy).

Most majors accept applications at central Huxley College office in ES 539 during fall, winter, and spring quarters. Urban planning and sustainable development major applications are accepted at only in the spring quarter only for admission to the program in fall quarter and have additional admissions requirements. Please read details about the application process under each major.

Changes to your major, plan of study, or requests for a change of advisor during Phase II require completing a new declaration card.

If you have any questions, please contact a professional advisor at the central Huxley College office in Environmental Studies Building 539, or by phone 360-650-6520.

Faculty

GIGI BERARDI (1995) Chair and Professor. Policy, Planning, Education and Geography, BA (biology), University of California at San Diego; MS (natural resources conservation), PhD (natural resources, policy and planning), Cornell University.
TROY D. ABEL (2006) Associate Professor. BS, Indiana University (public health); MPA, George Mason University (public policy analysis); PhD, public policy and science and technology policy).
ANDREW J. BACH (1995) Professor. BS, MA (geography), University of California-Davis; PhD (geography), Arizona State University.
PATRICK H. BUCKLEY (1987) Professor. BS (civil engineering and geology), University of Notre Dame; MA (economic geography and South Asian studies), University of Washington; PhD (economic geography), Boston University.
KATE J. DARBY  (2010) Assistant Professor. BS, Pennsylvania State University (chemical engineering); MS, University of Oregon (certificate: Not-for-Profit Management); PhD, Arizona State University (environment, technology and society).
AQUILA FLOWER (2013) Assistant Professor. BA (geography), Humboldt State University; MS (geography), University of Victoria; PhD (geography), University of Oregon.,
STEVEN J. HOLLENHORST (2012) Professor and Dean, Huxley College of the Environment. BS and MS (recreation and park management), University of Oregon; PhD (recreation and park management), The Ohio State University.
NABIL KAMEL (2004) Associate Professor. BS (Architecture and Urban Planning), MA (Urban Planning), Texas A&M University; PhD (Public Policy and Social Research), University of California, Los Angeles.
TAMARA J. LANINGA (2005) Assistant Professor. BS, Western Washington University (environmental policy and assessment); MA, University of Colorado (water resource policy); Graduate interdisciplinary certificate, University of Colorado (certificate in environmental policy); PhD, University of Colorado, Denver (design and urban planning).
MICHAEL J. MEDLER (2002) Associate Professor. BS (philosophy), MS (environmental studies), University of Oregon; PhD (geography), University of Arizona.
JEAN O. MELIOUS (1996) Professor. BA (government and environmental studies), St. Lawrence University; PhM (urban design and regional planning), University of Edinburgh; JD, Harvard Law School.
O. EUGENE MYERS (1995) Professor. BS (human ecology), Western Washington University; MA, PhD (psychology and human development), University of Chicago.
MARK NEFF (2009) Assistant Professor. BA (German Literature and Language), MS (Environmental Studies), University of Oregon; PhD (Life Sciences and Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes), Arizona State University.
REBEKAH PACI-GREEN (2007) Assistant Professor, BS (civil and environmental engineering), University of Washington; PhD (civil engineering, minors in cultural anthropology and science & technology studies), Cornell University.
DAVID A. ROSSITER (2005) Associate Professor. BA (Honors), University of British Columbia; MA (geography); PhD, (geography) York University.
PAUL STANGL (2007) Associate Professor. BS (liberal arts) Kansas State University; MCRP (city and regional planning), Rutgers University; PhD (geography), University of Texas-Austin.
NICK STANGER (2014) Assistant Professor. BS Honors (Comparison of Temperate Old-Growth Forest Epiphyte Communities), MA (Youth and Environmental Art), Royal Roads University; PhD (Replacing Ourselves in Nature), University of Victoria.
WENDY WALKER (1991) Visiting Senior Instructor. BA and K-12 Teaching Certificate (geology), Western Washington University; MS (religion), Florida State University.
GRACE WANG (2002) Associate Professor. BS (political economy of natural resources), University of California-Berkeley; MS, PhD (forestry), University of Minnesota.
NICHOLAS C. ZAFERATOS (1999) Professor. BA (economic and regional geography), State University of New York; MS (urban and regional planning), Western Washington University; PhD (urban planning), University of Washington.

Emeritus Faculty

JOHN T. (JACK) HARDY Professor Emeritus of Environmental Sciences. BA, University of California-Santa Barbara; MA, Oregon State University; PhD, University of Washington
J. RICHARD MAYER Professor Emeritus of Environmental Science. BS, Union College; MA, Columbia University; PhD, Yale University.
JOHN C. MILES Professor Emeritus of Huxley College of the Environment. BA, MA, University of Oregon; PhD, The Union Institute.
ROBERT L. MONAHAN Professor Emeritus of Geography and Environmental Social Sciences. BA, University of Washington; MA, University of Michigan; PhD, McGill University.
DEBNATH MOOKHERJEE Professor Emeritus of Geography. BSc, MSc, University of Calcutta; PhD, University of Washington.
LYNN A. ROBBINS Professor Emeritus of Environmental Studies. BA, University of Utah; MA, PhD, University of Oregon.
BRADLEY F. SMITH Professor Emeritus of Huxley College of the Environment. BA, MA, Western Michigan University; PhD, University of Michigan.
THOMAS A. TERICH Professor Emeritus of Geography. BA and MA, California State University, Los Angeles; PhD, Oregon State University.
HERBERT H. WEBBER Professor Emeritus of Geography and Environmental Social Sciences. BSc, PhD, University of British Columbia.
MING-HO YU Professor Emeritus of Huxley College. BS, National Taiwan University; MS, PhD, Utah State University.

Adjunct Faculty

JAMES D. ALLAWAY, PhD (natural resources, policy, and planning), Cornell University.
PAUL DINNEL Marine Scientist, Shannon Point Marine Center. PhD (fisheries), University of Washington.
STEFAN FREELAN, MS (geography), Western Washington University.
JERRY FREILICH, Research and Monitoring Coordinator, Olympic National Park, PhD (aquatic ecology), University of Georgia.
APRIL MARKIEWICZ, MS (environmental toxicology), Western Washington University.
BRADY OLSON, Marine Scientist, Shannon Point Marine Center. PhD (biological oceanography), University of Washington.
JENNIFER SELTZ, PhD (history), University of Washington.
MICHAEL G. STONER, Environmental Manager, Port of Bellingham. MS (forest soils), University of Washington.
SUZANNE STROM, Marine Scientist, Shannon Point Marine Center. PhD (biological oceanography), University of Washington.
LAURIE D. TRAUTMAN, Associate Director, Border Policy Research Institute. PhD (geography), University of Oregon.
KATHRYN L. VAN ALSTYNE, Marine Scientist, Shannon Point Marine Center. PhD (marine ecology), University of Washington.
SETH VIDANA, WWU Sustainability Manager, MEd (environmental education), Western Washington University.
SAUL WEISBERG, Executive Director, North Cascades Institute. MS (biology) Western Washington University.

Affiliated Faculty

JOHN BOWER, Associate Professor, Fairhaven College
DON BURGESS, Assistant Professor, SMATE 
CRAIG DUNN, Associate Professor, Management, CBE
DAN HAGEN, Professor, Economics, CBE
JILL HECKATHORN, Senior Instructor, PE
VICTOR NOLET, Professor, Woodring College of Education
ARUNAS OSLAPAS, Professor, Engineering Technology
DEBRA J. SALAZAR, Professor, Department of Political Science
DAVID SATTLER, Professor, Department of Psychology
STEPHEN D. SULKIN, Professor and Director, Shannon Point
PHIL THOMPSON, Assistant Professor, Economics, CBE
JOHN TUXILL, Assistant Professor, Fairhaven College

Graduate Study

For concentrations leading to the Master of Education or the Master of Arts degrees, see the Graduate School  section of this catalog.

Programs

• Business and Sustainability, BA (see Management Department)
• Economics/Environmental Studies, BA (see Economics Department)
• Environmental Education, BA
• Environmental Policy, BA
• Environmental Studies — Elementary, BAE
• Environmental Studies, BA
• Environmental Studies/Journalism, BA (see Journalism Department)
• Geography — Elementary, BAE
• Geography, BA
• Geography/Social Studies, BA
• Student/Faculty Designed, BA (Huxley College of the Environment)
• Urban Planning and Sustainable Development, BA

• Environmental Policy (Extension), BA

• Disaster Risk Reduction Minor
• Environmental Education Minor
• Environmental Policy Minor
• Environmental Studies Minor
• Geographic Information Science Minor
• Geography Minor
• Sustainable Design Minor

• Environmental Education, Non-Thesis, MEd
• Environmental Education, Residency, Non-Thesis, MEd
• Environmental Education, Thesis, MEd
• Environmental Studies, MA
• Geography Thesis, MS (In Moratorium)

• Geographic Information Science Certificate

Courses

Courses numbered X37; X97; 300, 400, 500 are described in the University Academic Policies  section of this catalog.

• ENVS 110 - Ecogastronomy: The Art and Science of Food
• ENVS 111 - Ecogastronomy Discussion
• ENVS 116 - Sustainability Literacy I
• ENVS 118 - Topics in Environmental Studies - College Quest
• ENVS 195 - Local Perspectives on Environment and Sustainability (Viking Launch)
• ENVS 201 - Understanding Environmental Data and Information
• ENVS 202 - Introduction to Environmental Studies and Sustainability
• ENVS 203 - Physical Geography
• ENVS 204 - Human Geography
• ENVS 220 - Map Reading and Analysis
• ENVS 221 - Geographic Information Science Survey
• ENVS 240 - Geography and World Affairs
• ENVS 300 - Directed Independent Study
• ENVS 303 - Introduction to Environmental Studies I: Human Ecology and Ethics 
• ENVS 304 - Environment and Resource Policy
• ENVS 305 - Introduction to Environmental Studies II: History and Policy
• ENVS 306 - Readings in Env Studies
• ENVS 307 - Writing in Environmental Studies
• ENVS 308 - National Parks: History of an American Innovation
• ENVS 316 - Explorations in Environmental Studies
• ENVS 319 - Research and Writing
• ENVS 320 - GIS I: Introduction to Geographic Information Science
• ENVS 321 - GIS II: Computer Cartography
• ENVS 322 - Analysis of Spatial Data
• ENVS 326 - Climatology
• ENVS 327 - The Soil Environment
• ENVS 330 - The United States: Society and Environment
• ENVS 331 - Canada: Society and Environment
• ENVS 332 - The Pacific Northwest: Society and Environment
• ENVS 333 - East Asia: Society and Environment
• ENVS 334 - South Asia: Society and Environment
• ENVS 335 - The Middle East: Society and Environment
• ENVS 340 - Developing World
• ENVS 341 - Population and Resources
• ENVS 342 - Geography of the World Economy
• ENVS 343 - Urbanization: Processes and Patterns
• ENVS 344 - Community Solutions to Climate Change
• ENVS 350 - Energy Policy and Politics
• ENVS 355 - Environmental Law and Policy
• ENVS 359 - Greening Business Policy and Practice
• ENVS 360 - Plan Graphics and Site Design: Methods in Urban Design
• ENVS 361 - Introduction to Planning
• ENVS 362 - Theory and Practice of Emergency Management
• ENVS 368 - Exploring Great Cities
• ENVS 370 - History of Planning
• ENVS 372 - Natural Hazards Planning
• ENVS 373 - Transportation Systems and Planning
• ENVS 374 - Land Use Regulation & Technical Writing
• ENVS 381 - Introduction to Education for Environment and Sustainability
• ENVS 400 - Directed Independent Study
• ENVS 401 - Cultures of Sustainability
• ENVS 404 - Environmental Grant Writing
• ENVS 405 - Puget Sound research
• ENVS 406 - Advanced Readings in Environmental Studies
• ENVS 410 - Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture
• ENVS 411 - Agroecology Planning and Practicum
• ENVS 412 - Environmental Journalism
• ENVS 413 - The Planet Staff
• ENVS 414 - Editing the Planet
• ENVS 416 - Field Seminars in Environmental Studies
• ENVS 417 - Science, Management and Outreach of Contaminated Sites
• ENVS 419 - Applications in GIS
• ENVS 420 - GIS III: Analysis and Modeling
• ENVS 421 - GIS IV: Advanced GIS Applications
• ENVS 422 - Advanced Spatial Analysis
• ENVS 423 - GIS Processing and Analysis
• ENVS 426 - Water Resources
• ENVS 427 - Soil Landscapes
• ENVS 428 - Biogeography
• ENVS 429 - Pyrogeography
• ENVS 430 - Borderlands: Resource Management
• ENVS 431 - Pacific Rim: Environment, Economy and Sustainability
• ENVS 440 - Public and Stakeholder Engagement in Energy, Climate, and Environmental Policymaking
• ENVS 441 - Society, Space, and Natural Resources
• ENVS 442 - Regional Environmental and Economic Resource Modeling
• ENVS 443 - The Urban Environment
• ENVS 444 - Colonial Landscapes in the Pacific Northwest
• ENVS 449 - Northwest Energy Systems Transitions
• ENVS 450 - Science in the Policy Process
• ENVS 451 - Natural Resource Policy
• ENVS 452 - International Environmental Policy
• ENVS 454 - Environmental Policy Analysis
• ENVS 455 - Environmental Law
• ENVS 456 - Environmental Governance
• ENVS 457 - Environmental Dispute Resolution
• ENVS 458 - Environmental Politics
• ENVS 459 - Advanced Energy Policy
• ENVS 461 - Land Use Law
• ENVS 462 - Planning Theory
• ENVS 463 - Native American Planning and Natural Resources Policy
• ENVS 464 - Topics in Planning
• ENVS 465 - Disaster Risk Reduction
• ENVS 466 - Greening Business Applications
• ENVS 470 - Planning Studio I: Urban Design Methods
• ENVS 471 - Campus Sustainability Planning Studio
• ENVS 472 - Planning Studio II: Plan Development
• ENVS 473 - Planning Studio III: Plan Implementation
• ENVS 474 - Planning for Sustainable Communities
• ENVS 475 - Community Development and Participatory Methods
• ENVS 476 - Disaster Reduction and Emergency Planning Studio
• ENVS 483 - Environmental Interpretation