Academics

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."  -- Nelson Mandela

Winthrop offers the following degree programs that focus on understanding today's environmental issues and examining topics from diverse viewpoints in anticipation of finding meaningful contributions to their solutions.  For more information contact, Dr. Scott Werts.

• Bachelor of Art in Environmental Studies - Introduces students to the scientific, social, political, cultural, economic, and policy aspects of environmental issues.
• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences - Introduces students to the scientific, social, political, cultural, economic, and policy aspects of environmental issues in preparation for scientific careers in industry, government, consulting, and for graduate programs in environmental sciences.
• Minor of Sustainability - The minor in Sustainability provides students with a broad understanding of how we can meet the needs of today without compromising the needs of future generations. Students will be exposed to sustainability issues in human systems, e.g., economics, as well as in natural systems, e.g., environmental biology, and will be encouraged to apply principles of sustainability to real-world problems.

A resource for understanding the interconnection of advancing economic vitality, ecological integrity, and social welfare is the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which is a call for collaborative international action, " . . . recognizing that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests."  These are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

The student organization, Student Environmental Action Coalition or SEAC, is a student and youth-run national networks of progressive organizations and individuals whose aim is to uproot environmental injustices through action and education. They work to educate our Winthrop community about environmental and sustainability issues. Through awareness, they aim to make positive changes in regards to sustainability on our campus. 

Contact the Office of Sustainability for information about possible internship opportunities to work on sustainability initiatives and program development on Winthrop's campus.

Consider using the library as a sustainable alternative to purchasing books individually. Doing so builds and strengthens the community while saving natural resources. Winthrop's Dacus Library has an excellent collection of resources (pdf - 90 KB) that focus on sustainability and the three dimensions of sustainability: social, economic, and environmental.