2025-2026 Academic Year

Fall 2025

ENST 161 Environmental Connections
This introductory environmental studies course draws from the influences of the humanities and natural sciences on the social sciences in relation to the environment. The course will examine the ideas, concepts, and debates central to the field. Students will examine the relationship between humans and the environment and become familiar with a range of environmental challenges, with an emphasis on how these challenges have emerged over time and space. The course will investigate and evaluate a variety of strategies that are currently being pursued to address these environmental challenges. The course stresses the importance of “seeing connections”, thinking carefully and critically about environmental issues, and appreciating that complex questions rarely have a single solution. This is an introductory course for those majoring in environmental studies and environmental science. Non-majors should enroll in ENST 121 Introduction to Environmental Science. This course has no laboratory section.

INST 290 Environment, Conflict & Peace
Cross-listed with ENST 372-01. The goal of this class is to examine the complex relationships between the environment, conflict and peace. We will discuss the emergence of the environment as a topic of conflict and peace studies, and ask if the environment should be a security concern. We will scrutinize the extent to which environmental degradation, resource scarcity, natural resource wealth, and even climate change, increases the likelihood of violent conflict, and discuss the environmental consequences of war itself. We will explore whether environmental cooperation reduces the risk of violent conflicts, and whether responses to environmental problems can serve as catalyst for peace. We will strive to understand how international institutions—governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental—act to address security and peacebuilding challenges linked to the environment. The course approaches the topic from different levels of analysis (local, national, transnational and supranational), diverse theoretical frameworks and analytical methods and range of environmental issue areas. Finally, we will use a broad range of materials, employ lectures and seminar-like discussions and incorporate field trips and guest speakers.

ENST 372 Environment, Conflict & Peace
Cross-listed with INST 290-03.

ENST 406 Leadership & Social Action
Students will form a deep understanding of the theories, approaches and practices of social change and enhance their understanding of what leadership is, and how it informs organizing and advocacy. Throughout the course, students will explore their passions, values and skills, and how this informs their "leadership style." Students will learn about the tools and skills needed to organize for social change and build organizations. How do you select an issue? How do you develop a strategy and what tactics should you employ to meet your objectives? Students will learn the ins and outs of issue campaigns, community organizing, using new and traditional media, building alliances and engaging communities, understanding the power of story and narratives, and power analysis. Students will learn from leaders and organizers and get hands-on experience putting their ideas for social change into practice. The course will use a variety of readings, discussions, activities, exercises, assignments and projects. It will require that students to interview leaders and develop their own strategy for a sustainable social change they want to initiate.