Wilderness Studies Minor

Overview 

The Wilderness Studies Minor integrates an environmental focus on humanities, philosophy and ethics, with immersion experiences and hard skills related to outdoor experiences and industries. Through flexible course offerings, students can choose to focus on philosophy, theology, ethics, ecology, or environmental public policy, in combination with outdoor education and wilderness experience. The Minor enhances students' career readiness for vocations relevant to National Parks and Forests, outdoor leadership, education, recreation, and church-related ministries that engage the outdoors. 

Program Student Learning Outcomes

1. Display an ability to integrate humanistic reflection in philosophy, ethics, literature, politics, and/or theology with wilderness experience and environmental reflection and advocacy. 

2. Demonstrate understanding of and facility with philosophical and ethical theories, and influential literary text, relevant to ecological stewardship and restorative practices. 

3. Demonstrate knowledge of, and effectively communicate information about, natural and human system that relate to environmental concerns. 

4. Articulate and apply a coherent ecological ethic, that is compatible with biblical and theological understanding of shalom and creational value. 

5. Communicate effectively and analytically in oral and written forms, in support or critique of various environmental and wilderness recreational policies, theories, and ethics 

6. Demonstrate necessary skills to safely participate and or/ lead others in outdoor adventures, recreation, and education.