Southern Oregon University
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

The Environmental Science and Policy (ES) major provides an integrated natural and social sciences approach to environmental decision-making, ecological issues, and human use of natural resources. The ES curriculum promotes interdisciplinary perspectives, providing analytical skills and problem-solving opportunities in each course. ES graduates are prepared to work effectively in environmentally related careers requiring both science and policy expertise and to pursue advanced degrees in specialty areas. ES majors take a common core of classes and develop an upper division focus area with an advisor. ES majors are required to complete an internship or practicum to provide valuable practical experience.

The sociology and anthropology degree offers students a major based on the shared intellectual foundations and methods of inquiry of two distinct social science disciplines. Sociology is the study of the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of human groups and how people act within social contexts. Since all human behavior is social, the subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob; from organized crime to religious movements; from the divisions of race, class and gender to the shared beliefs of a common culture; from work lives to digital selves. Anthropology’s diverse subject matter of human beings in all times and places reflects the discipline’s interest in human culture dating from the Paleolithic past to contemporary times; from distant societies to the myriad subcultures of the Western world; from the biological bases of human behavior to our most elaborate cultural creations; and in the interaction of diverse peoples from colonial to modern contexts. Students develop the conceptual and analytic skills for understanding identity, behavior, culture, power, and social change. Coursework and curriculum in the sociology and anthropology program emphasize practical application of skills to a variety of social questions. Our students develop a critical, historical, and comparative perspective on social worlds and an appreciation for cultural diversity. The program’s close and supportive relationship with local groups and organizations provides a basis for meaningful student involvement in problem solving. Practical experiences culminate in a senior capstone designed and carried out under faculty supervision. Program Objectives Our graduates will be able to describe and explain how people, cultures, social institutions, power-relationships and environments interact across time and space. They will be able to document, analyze, and interpret patterns in culture and society. They will be able to write and speak effectively. Finally, they will practice ethical and civically engaged anthropology and sociology.

The Certificate in Sustainability Leadership (CSL) is an undergraduate interdisciplinary program designed to prepare individuals for leadership roles in organizations committed to sustainable practices. The program is designed to give students a strong foundational understanding in the three E’s of sustainability: economy, environment, and equity (also known as the Triple Bottom Line). The certificate provides students with a broad understanding of all of the major applied areas of sustainable organizational leadership, including alternative transportation, waste reduction, renewable energy, green building, corporate social responsibility, fair trade, shared value, localization, community finance, and other emerging sustainable business practices. Students who complete the certificate will have a strong grasp of what sustainability means, how it is achieved, and the forces that discourage sustainable practices. This understanding will enhance their ability to serve as effective leaders in both small and large corporations, nonprofit organizations, and the public sector throughout the region, state, and country. Students will have opportunities to work on real-world projects in the many fields of sustainability and explore how their personal values and future goals relate to their practice of sustainable organizational leadership.

A minor in Environmental Science and Policy integrates natural sciences and social sciences to address complex environmental issues. This minor provides the opportunity to develop an understanding of the complexity of natural systems, natural resource use and sustainability enabling students to appreciate and solve dynamic environmental issues. Students will research and address such global issues as climate change, water resource management, energy use, sustainable development, and the conservation of biodiversity.

The interdisciplinary Studies major allows students to draw coursework from two or more academic programs to support individual learning goals. The selected program of emphasis plays a central role by providing primary advising and courses to meet upper-division writing and capstone requirements. One or two supporting program(s) provide additional courses and faculty support. Potential areas of study may be selected from the following programs: anthropology, art, biology, business, chemistry, communication, computer science, criminal justice, economics, education, emerging media & digital arts, English, environmental studies, gender, sexuality, and women’s studies, geography, geology, health and physical education, history, international studies, mathematics, music, native American studies, outdoor adventure leadership, philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, Shakespeare studies, sociology, and world languages/literatures.

Regional Studies and Applied Research Certificate The Regional Studies and Applied Research (RSAR) Certificate program is a 36-credit interdisciplinary certificate. The overall goal of the Regional Studies and Applied Research Certificate program is to provide students with the knowledge and tools necessary to understand interrelationships among the social, cultural, economic, geographic and environmental aspects of a region. Although the region of southern Oregon will be emphasized in some of the classes, students pursuing this certificate will learn modeling processes that are widely transferable and applicable to other settings. http://catalog.sou.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=7&poid=2055