Through this minor, students will acquire critical knowledge and skills in applications of the social sciences to environmental conservation and natural resource management. Students will learn to analyze conservation problems and identify solutions through awareness of how social science concepts, theories/frameworks, methods, and tools are used in conservation. In addition to facilitating enhanced understanding of the social aspects of conservation issues, coursework will build capacity in systems thinking, leadership, conservation planning, communication and stakeholder engagement, conservation governance and policy processes, and collaborative approaches to conservation. This minor aims to prepare students, as future leaders in the conservation field, to conserve biodiversity through a nuanced understanding of the relationship between people and nature.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of the minor, students will be able to:
- Define key issues and topics related to natural resource conservation and management from a social science perspective.
- Acknowledge the importance of social science approaches in conservation and how those approaches are used in conservation practice.
- Apply social-ecological systems thinking to frame conservation problems and solutions in a holistic manner.
- Appreciate the varied traditions, contributions, and approaches of different social science disciplines and applied fields in the conservation context.
- Identify key conservation social science concepts, theories, and frameworks and describe their applications in conservation.
- Apply widely used methods and tools from social science approaches in conservation.
Effective Fall 2026
Additional coursework may be required due to prerequisites.
Students must satisfactorily complete the total credits required for the minor. Minors and interdisciplinary minors require 12 or more upper-division (300- to 400-level) credits.
A minimum grade of C (2.00) is required in each course used to satisfy the requirements of this minor.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| NR 320 | Natural Resources History and Policy | 3 |
| NR 400 | Public Communication in Natural Resources | 3 |
| NRRT 279 | Biodiversity and Conservation Social Science | 3 |
| NRRT 400 | Environmental Governance | 3 |
| NRRT 401 | Collaborative Solutions to Conservation | 3 |
| NRRT 412 | Social Change for Conservation | 3 |
| Social Science/Humanities Electives (select one course from the following): | 3 | |
| Climate, Capital, Culture | ||
| Human Ecology | ||
| International Development Theory and Practice | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| Biogeography | ||
| Climate Change: Science, Policy, Implications | ||
| Science and Environmental Communication | ||
| Food and Natural Resources Communication | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| U.S. Environmental Politics and Policy | ||
| Global Environmental Politics | ||
| Power, Equity and Inclusion in Env Justice | ||
| Environmental Politics in Developing World | ||
| Population-Natural Resources and Environment | ||
| Environmental Justice | ||
| Environmental and Natural Resource Sociology | ||
| Program Total Credits: | 21 | |