Environmental Science Journal Club

Students entering college usually have had little exposure to Environmental Science with few High Schools teaching an Environmental Science Class and even fewer an AP Environmental Science Class.  For this reason, many students do not know that Environmental Science exists as a major nor what it means to major in Environmental Science and related fields.  The goal of this class is to introduce students to Environmental Science along with the related fields of Sustainability and Environmental Justice.  This introduction to Environmental Science and Sustainability will occur through a mix of talks, classic and recent journal articles, and guest speakers. Students will have weekly readings which over the course of the semester will cover a wide swath of topics.  The instructors along with guest speakers who are experts in their field, will come and talk to students about their work as well as their journey through their career.  The class will be discussion-driven with students expected to contribute every week.  There will be a reading to prepare for class each week.  Students will post responses to the readings before coming to class in order to be prepared for discussions.  In addition, students will be expected to lead discussions and participate in activities during the semester.  The class is limited to students participating in the Environmental Science Pathways Scholars Program. 

Students will:

• be exposed to a wide swath or Environmental Science Literature
• be exposed to topics in Environmental Justice
• begin to hone skills characteristic of an Environmental Scientist
• become better prepared for Barnard and an Environmental Major