Jacob Weiner introduced a proposal for the establishment of a Concentration in Environmental Studies, and Arthur McGarity spoke in support of the concentration. He stressed the multidisciplinary aspect of the proposal and reported that students already pursue similar courses. James England [the Provost] moved the proposal on behalf of the Curriculum Committee. In its discussions this committee had an initial concern about whether there were enough policy courses in the proposal and have encouraged a new appointment in political science or another department on environmental policies. So far there has been money available to fund ad hoc courses, and there are also policy courses available at Bryn Mawr and Haverford.
Weiner wanted to get the concentration started even if not all desired courses were in place. Lisa Smulyan was supportive of the concentration but felt that ad hoc courses made it difficult for the students to plan for the concentration and asked for a commitment from the social sciences to support the concentration. Jerome Wood responded that he was supportive and felt that it was a possibility that the Department of History could contribute to the concentration. Judith Voet was concerned with the prerequisites for the science courses, and Weiner responded that the concentration was interdisciplinary, it did not constitute a major, and it was not a concentration in environmental science. He wanted the students to have some experience in the sciences as well as the policy area. There are more resources available in the sciences, but there is not an emphaisis in the major on the sciences. James Kurth gave a low estimate of the probability that the Department of Political Science would teach a policy course suitable for the concentration. The concentration was approved unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 5:00.
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