What would Aristotle say about drilling for oil in the Arctic wildlife refuge? Would Socrates balk at the global warming debate? Fordham students will ponder the deeper dimensions of the environment in a new interdisciplinary minor in environmental studies. The Environmental Studies Program, which launches this fall, is open to undergraduate science and non-science majors and follows the Jesuit mission of educating the whole person. Through courses such as “Ecological Chemistry” and “Religion and Ecology,” students can explore the scientific, business, religious, philosophical and political aspects of the environment, in a manner that fits their educational and career interests. “The program will hopefully inspire students to become environmentally literate and concerned citizens,” said John Van Buren, Ph.D., an associate professor of philosophy and the program’s director. “Even if they are not interested in environmental careers, they will have a chance to explore issues that will have a significant impact on the future.” The program grew out of environmental research and instruction already being done at Fordham by 25 faculty members in more than 15 departments.
The Fordham minor consists of six to seven courses in either the Environmental Science Track for science majors or the Environmental Values and Policy Track for non-science majors. Both tracks entail environmental science, values and policy components, as well as opportunities for hands-on internships or community service experiences. One of the many resources available to students is the Louis J. Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk, N.Y. For further information view our website.
