Environmental Policy & Equity

The Environmental Policy and Equity minor prepares future leaders from numerous degree programs to collaborate with communities, advocacy organizations, and policymakers to develop equitable solutions to pressing environmental problems. Interdisciplinary coursework enhances students’ understanding of complex interactions between society and the environment, including social drivers of environmental issues.

The minor equips students with practical knowledge and policy-oriented skills to confront ecological challenges, making them competitive candidates for careers in government, non-profit, business, agriculture, conservation, and advocacy sectors.

Earning your minor

The minor requires a minimum of 18 credits in Sociology and related disciplines. At least 9 credits must be upper-division work taken in residence at WSU or through WSU-approved education abroad or educational exchange programs. Students must maintain a 2.0 average. The 18 hours includes at least three Soc-Env courses and three additional elective courses.

Required courses (at least 9 credits)

• SOC 101 [SSCI] Intro to Soc or 102 [SSCI] Social Problems
• SOC 230 Society & Technology
• SOC 332 [SSCI] Sustainability & Society
• SOC 333 Science, Power and Human Values  
• SOC 335 Shopping and Society
• SOC 336 Sociology of Food
• SOC 337 Climate Change in Your Lifetime
• SOC 338 Environmental Inequality and Justice  
• SOC 340 [EQJS] Social Inequality
• SOC 375 Aspects of Sustainable Development
• SOC 474 Social Movements

Electives (9 credits)

Up to 9 additional SOC credits may count toward ENV electives.

• AFS 336 [SSCI] Agriculture, Environment, and Community
• SOE 110 [BSCI] The Environment, Human life, and Sustainability (4 credits)
• SOE 285 The Science and Policy of Climate Change
• SOE 312 [DIVR] Natural Resources, Society, and the Environment
• SOE 438 Natural Resource and Public Lands Policy and Law
• SOE 444 Environmental Assessment
• SOE 477 [CAPS] Environmental Collaborative Governance and Dispute Resolution
• PHIL 220 [HUM] Philosophy of Food
• PHIL 370 [HUM] Environmental Ethics  
• POL_S 430 [CAPS] [M] The Politics of Natural Resource and Environmental Policy
• SOC 101 or 102, SOC 230, SOC 332, SOC 333, SOC 335, SOC 336, SOC 337, SOC 338, SOC 340, SOC 375, SOC 474