In the Classroom, Sustainability | Earlham College

Earlham College faculty engage students in the academic study of sustainability through a variety of lenses. Much of this study occurs outside the walls of the traditional “classroom” to include experiential learning on campus and in the local community, as well as in international locations.

 

Earlham College’s major in Environmental Sustainability offers the opportunity to develop both the expertise and the leadership skills the world needs moving forward. The Environmental Sustainability major:

  • Is an interdisciplinary major combining study in the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities.
  • Encourages experiential learning through field research, internships, and applied projects that emphasize student leadership and community throughout all four years.
  • Partners with Earlham's Environmental Leadership Program for opportunities to apply what is learned in the classroom to the real world through programs in outdoor education, sustainable agriculture and campus sustainability.

ENSU 141 Environment, Society and Sustainability and ENSU 151 Environment, Science and Sustainability take a systems-thinking approach to the study of environmental problems. Lab sessions engage students experientially in the systems context by exploring Earlham College as an environmental system which is embedded in local and regional systems. These courses are open to any student and can be taken to fulfill divisional general education requirements.

During the spring semester of senior year, Environmental Sustainability majors engage in a collaborative, integrated research project, often with a community partner. Recent projects include Playground with a Purpose and an update to Earlham’s Comprehensive Sustainability Plan.

Student-led courses in sustainable agriculture practices are offered each semester at Miller Farm, Earlham’s student-run farm. Read more.

Whether you do it for endurance training, running errands, or fun, cycling is an excellent way to promote health and sustainability. This fall semester course will include a Wellness component introducing riders to different kinds of cycling, a Sustainability component looking into bike policy, planning and community engagement, and an Education component teaching bike safety and maintenance skills.

Integrated Pathways allow students to personalize their education and make direct connections between academic interests and co-curricular activities. Several Integrated Pathways include environmental and/or sustainability themes. Read more.