Minor in Environmental Ethics

Mission

Grounded in the broader framework of Catholic Social Teaching and the specific mission of Saint Elizabeth University, this minor will introduce students to central issues in environmental ethics through engagement with multiple disciplines. The aim of this engagement is to prepare students to address these issues in manners that are informed, creative, and effective. 

Program Goals

  • To graduate students who have a demonstrable understanding of the nature of the relationship between humans and the environment on both local and global scales through an interdisciplinary learning experience.
  • To graduate students who are able to analyze critically, evaluate, and address current issues pertaining to the relationship between humans and the nonhuman world.

Learning Outcomes

  • Articulate the necessity of interdisciplinary study for addressing issues in environmental ethics
  • Demonstrate the application of interdisciplinary study to contemporary issues in environmental ethics
  • Develop critical thinking skills that permit careful evaluation of theories and perspectives regarding the morally appropriate relationship between humans and the nonhuman world 
  • Understand the global nature of environmental issues
  • Critically consider the role and responsibilities of individuals in a deeply interconnected and globalized world.

Program Requirements

The minor should not exceed 24 credits and should be distributed among the areas necessary to meet the learning outcomes and reflect the vision of the minor. Students will complete a gateway course, two courses in ethics, two courses in the natural sciences, and one course designated to apply student learning to a particular issue in environmental ethics.

Requirements (22-24 credits)

Required Courses

REL115Living as Nature

3

REL245Ecology and Faith

4

REL299Catholic Social Learning

4

ES101Environmental Science

4

ES102Ecological Science

4

ES495Environmental Ethics Capstone

2

Plus choose one of the following:

AHS200Global Health and Cultural Perspective

3

FN217World Foods

3

HIS110Survey of Global History I

3

PHIL331Ethics in Health Care

3

PS105American Politics

4

AHS305Foundations of Public Health

3