Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies at Bowdoin reflects the college's recognition that humans must learn to live in harmony with nature and that human activities are dependent upon natural processes. This recognition, coupled with an aspiration to present and future human well-being, provides a critical perspective from which to interpret history, science, politics, law, economy, religion, and the arts. A liberal arts education should promote environmental literacy: an understanding of the world around us - the built and the natural, the local and the global, our role in it, and our effects upon it.

Bowdoin offers a Coordinate Major in Environmental Studies. Students fulfill the requirements for a disciplinary major and also for the ES Coordinate Major. Students choose the combination; Coordinate Majors for the Class of 2009 include Anthro/ES, Geology/ES, Spanish/ES, Economics/ES, Visual Art/ES, Physics/ES, Chemistry/ES, Romance Languages/ES and History/ES. About 45 students per class choose the ES Coordinate Major. Many students integrate off campus study into their major.

Allison Dupont '12

Maine is a great place to study environmental issues. In addition to a beautiful and ecologically diverse location, Maine also enjoys an environmentally concerned citizenry and a strong network of environmental organizations, both governmental and non-governmental. Many students take advantage of internship and volunteer opportunities, adding a "real world" dimension to their academic program. In addition, many of our classes have a service learning component.

Check out the ES Alumni Webpage >>

Contact Information

Location: Adams Hall
Program Manager: Eileen Johnson
Phone: (207) 798-7157
Program Assistant: Rosemary Armstrong
Phone: (207) 725-3396
Program Director: Phil Camill
Phone: (207) 721-5149
Program Fax: (207) 725-3989