Combined major offered by the Department of Journalism, College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Department of Environmental Studies, Huxley College of the Environment.
113-118 credits
Introduction
Students wishing to complete an Environmental Studies major in four years should complete all GUR requirements in their first two years. Prospective environmental science majors are strongly advised to take additional preparatory course work that provides a strong background in chemistry, biology and mathematics. The preparatory courses listed below may be used to fulfill both Huxley College and GUR requirements.
Environmental Journalism offers the opportunity to explore the intersection between the natural world and politics, science, economics and culture. It combines rigorous research with creative storytelling. It provides the tools necessary to communicate to the public about vital issues, at a time when the goals of journalism are more important than ever: uncovering the facts, holding the powerful accountable and telling the stories of people and issues that are hidden, misunderstood or marginalized.
Why Consider an Environmental Studies/Journalism Major?
If you’re passionate about environmental issues and want to communicate with the public about them, environmental journalism is a powerful way to do that. You will learn skills needed to research complex issues that intersect with science, politics, economics, recreation, culture and society. You will also learn how to weave this information into timely stories that engage and inform the public through words and images.
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Journalism
Department Chair
Jennifer Keller
Communications Facility 253
360-650-4987
Jennifer.Keller@wwu.edu
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Environmental Studies
Department Chair
Grace Wang
Arntzen Hall 212
360-650-3278
Grace.Wang@wwu.edu
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Huxley College
Professional Advisor
Kathryn Patrick
Environmental Studies 539
360-650-3520
Kathryn.Patrick@wwu.edu
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Careers include staff journalist for a variety of mediums (newspapers, magazines, online news sites, podcasts, radio, video/film); freelance journalist in different mediums; communications (public relations; internal or external publications) for environmental organizations, universities, government agencies, businesses and other institutions; technical writer, particularly for subjects with a policy or scientific component.
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How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):
At any time, you may declare yourself as a pre-major with interest in environmental journalism or any other major in the Environmental Studies Department. There are several advantages to declaring and Environmental Studies 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 and how to navigate through the Huxley curriculum. Your faculty advisor can help you decide 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 notification and general announcements. Pre-major status will also give you access to priority registration for some classes. Call 360-650-3520 to meet with a professional advisor and declare as a pre-major.
Environmental journalism applicants should complete the following classes before applying to their major: ENVS 201, ENVS 203 and ECON 206.
Grade Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors. All preparatory courses required for admission should be completed on a lettered or numeric grading scale, not P/NP, and must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
