Environmental Analysis

Environmental Analysis (EA) is an interdisciplinary major focusing on the interaction between human and non-human components of the biosphere. The major applies approaches in the social sciences, arts and humanities, and natural sciences to understanding and solving environmental problems. Environmental Analysis offers an integrated, unifying perspective on life, as well as a program for creating positive change. The major prepares students for graduate work and careers in teaching, public policy and administration, law, environmental sciences, international affairs, environmental design, and the non-profit sector. Developing sustainable ways of living is one of the greatest challenges of our time. The Environmental Analysis Program combines the strengths of the five Claremont Colleges to provide robust interdisciplinary training for students interested in environmental issues. Resources for field research, community-based research, internships, and service learning include the Robert Redford Conservancy for Southern California Sustainability, the Pitzer in Costa Rica Program, and the Firestone Center for Restoration Ecology, the Pitzer in Ontario Program, the John R. Rodman Arboretum, the Bernard Biological Field Station, and numerous local partnerships.

The Environmental Analysis Program regards study abroad as a valuable, though not required, part of the curriculum, enabling students to secure deeper appreciation of the global dimensions of environmental challenges. Additionally, the Program encourages students to engage in internships and fieldwork that move them beyond the classroom and library to engage in research and action.

Pitzer Advisers: M. Herrold-Menzies, L. Neckar, S. Phillips

Department of Natural Sciences Advisers: (Environmental Science Track): D. McFarlane, K. Purvis-Roberts, C. Robins, D. Thomson, V. Vriesman

Learning Outcomes of the Program in Environmental Analysis

Student Learning Outcomes for All Tracks in Environmental Analysis:

1. Understand and describe the complex natural science, social science and humanistic aspects of environmental issues.
2. Understand and apply both disciplinary and interdisciplinary analysis to environmental issues.
3. Critically analyze, evaluate, and interpret scholarly arguments.
4. Present articulate, persuasive, and well-informed work.
5. Craft well-written, well-researched, and informative scholarly work.
6. Develop well-reasoned solutions to environmental predicaments, testing them against relevant criteria and standards.
7. Demonstrate social responsibility by completing environmentally-related internships, social justice theory and social responsibility praxis courses, community-based research, and community engagement activities.

Environmental Internship Guidelines

Environmental Analysis majors must engage in one semester’s worth of intensive (70-100 hours, or 7-10 hours per week for 10 weeks) internship work with an organization. Students are encouraged to complete the internship requirement before their senior year. Options for completing this requirement are as follows:

Independent Study: Students may fulfill the internship requirement as an independent study, to be arranged with an appropriate professor. See the ‘Independent Study and Internships’ section of the catalog for more information.

Study Abroad: A student may petition to have work abroad in the Costa Rica program or another study abroad site count toward the requirement. Students must furnish evidence of hours and submit the final product (DISP, field notes, final paper, etc.) to their EA adviser for approval.

Ontario Program: Students may complete their internships through the Ontario Program. Internships and final papers must explicitly revolve around environmental issues. Students must work with an adviser from Environmental Analysis to ensure that their Ontario work is appropriate to the major.

LEEP: Participation in the Leadership in Environmental Education Partnership (LEEP) and enrolment in EA 146 PZ Environmental Education fulfills the internship requirement.

Non-credit Internship. Students may complete their internships outside of their academic coursework over the course of a semester or during the summer. Students are still required to complete all forms, training and requirements and are responsible for being in communication with their EA adviser.

Note: Most Pitzer courses with a social responsibility praxis component do not require enough hours to fulfill this requirement. Students should speak to their advisers to see if a course is eligible to fulfill the internship requirement.