Academic Catalog

School of Humanities, Arts and Sciences

The St. Catherine University School of Humanities, Arts, and Sciences offers a comprehensive approach to the liberal arts, providing an extensive range of interdisciplinary degrees rooted in creative thinking and amplified through global understanding. We welcome all students who seek to become career-ready professionals and leaders with a breadth of and depth of study built on a foundation of social justice. Our model of learning is inspired by a legacy of women leaders — preparing each student to innovate and impact lives and careers.

We honor a legacy shaped by the Sisters of St. Joseph. We welcome all students to a learning community of strong, future-focused women who embody a spirit of inclusion and impact the world around them. As critical thinkers and ethical decision-makers, our students champion what’s good and just. Our distinct formula of learning deepens engagement with the greater community — both in work and in life. We design learning experiences that prepare students for meaningful lives and successful careers. By offering wide-ranging courses of study, we ready well-rounded students for promising careers in a variety of fields. Liberal arts is foundational to education and essential to career pursuits. By combining these principles with specialized applied learning, we inspire students with life-enhancing experiences and prepare them for professional opportunities.

Environmental & Sustainability Studies

The St. Catherine University Environmental & Sustainability Studies major provides an interdisciplinary education focused on the complex relationship between humans and the environment, emphasizing environmental justice and sustainability. Students develop the knowledge, skills, and perspectives to address pressing environmental challenges and promote equitable solutions for a sustainable future.

The program fosters a deep understanding of the complex and interdisciplinary nature of environmental issues, including their interconnectedness, the stakeholders involved, and the language needed to work across diverse disciplines. With a foundation in the environment, sustainability, economics, ethics, leadership, and the liberal arts, graduates are prepared to lead and influence positive environmental and sustainability change across diverse fields, within their communities, and beyond. Our program is distinctive with its focus on women, integration across the liberal arts, and grounding in the long-term environmental justice efforts of the Sisters of St. Joseph, reflecting the principles of kinship embedded in our tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.

See also: Sustainability Studies Minor

Consider pairing the Environmental and Sustainability studies major with a major or minor in another program such as:
  • Biology
  • Business
  • Chemistry
  • Community Engagement
  • Critical Studies of Race and Ethnicity
  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Fashion Design and Merchandising
  • Leadership
  • Philosophy
  • Political Science
  • Public Health
  • Public Policy
  • Sociology
or...explore another major of interest to you!
 
This major is offered in the College for Women only.

Curriculum

Required major courses
INDI 2222Building a Sustainable World2
LEAD 2202Leadership and Influence2
BIOL 1110Environmental Biology with Lab4
ECON 3300Environmental Economics and Policy4
PHIL 3100Environmental Ethics4
DSCI 1000Telling Stories with Data - Introduction to Data Visualization4
ECON 3650Cost-Benefit Analysis4
One internship or research course from one of the following subjects 2-4
Biology
Data Science
Economics
Leadership
Philosophy
BIOL 4860WSenior Seminar4
or ENGL 4860W Senior Seminar: Humanities Capstone
or ECON 4850 Theory to Action
or HIST 4850W Senior Seminar: Humanities Capstone
Choose 12 credits from the following: 112
Introduction to Ecology with Lab
Algal Ecology in a Modern World
Biology of Microorganisms with Lab
Quantitative Analysis with Lab
Advanced Analytical Chemistry with Lab
Analyzing Social Issues with Data
Introduction to Machine Learning for Data Science
Quantitative Impact Evaluation: Applied Research Skills
Environmental Health
Leadership, Effective Teams, and Change Management
Applied Leadership Ethics
Global Sourcing
Sustainable Product Development
LEAD 3460
Leading within a Diverse World
Public Policy
Topics
Challenging Oppressions, Civic Engagement and Change
Social Movements-Social Change
SOCI XXXX
Environmental Racism
Total Credits42-44
1

Students are advised to check course prerequisites prior to selecting the courses they will take for this interdisciplinary major.

Preqrequisite Courses
ECON 1120Economics of Social Issues4
ECON 1090Statistical Analysis for Decision Making4
Total Credits8