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Publication Date

2003-5

Document Type

Capstone

Study Type

EVS 300

Department

Environmental Science and Policy

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to provide information on how sustainability can be a priority of the Smith College curriculum. Courses from three liberal arts schools with established Environmental Studies programs (Middlebury College, Mt. Holyoke and Wellesley) in the Natural and Social Sciences were compared to Smith, and a survey of current Smith students was conducted. Smith offers more courses with at least some mention of environmental issues than I expected, and has nearly as strong an offering as Mt. Holyoke (which offers a major in Environmental Studies). Compared to Wellesley and Middlebury, however, Smith is noticeably weak. Student responses to the survey indicated a strong personal interest and belief in the importance of sustainability and more than ninety-percent supported the creation of an Environmental Studies major at Smith. However, almost half of the respondents had taken zero courses at Smith with at least some environmental content. Faculty and student interest in incorporating sustainability into the curriculum is apparent, but the lack of organization is a large obstacle -- any progress seems to be mainly due to individual faculty effort.

Rights

© 2003 Emily Kolod

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