Environmental Studies (BA/BS)
The New School
Description
The Environmental Studies program is part of a new wave of urban-focused study that examines both the natural and social ecosystems that flourish in cities and the wider ecosystems, such as watersheds, that support cities with natural resources. Students analyze the ecological impact of the systems that sustain city life, including energy, food, water, construction, manufacturing, and transportation, many of which draw on distant natural resources. The Environmental Studies major for both the BA and the BS degrees includes coursework in sustainable design, urban ecosystem science, and the social sciences. Bachelor of Arts students can choose to concentrate in Urban Ecosystems or Environment, Society and Public Policy. Bachelor of Science students have the option of concentrating in either Urban Ecosystems or Sustainable Design. Both degree programs are cross-disciplinary and include fieldwork, internships, and collaborative final projects. Administered by the Tishman Environment and Design Center, Environmental Studies looks beyond natural ecology and resource conservation to emphasize urban ecosystems, sustainable design, and public policy. The program allows undergraduate students to study and work at the intersection of society and nature, with interdisciplinary courses and individualized study that combine faculty expertise with student interests.