Environmental Policy

The foundation of the environmental policy emphasis is a basic scientific understanding of environmental issues, but its focus is on the varying social processes that contribute to environmental problems and solutions.

Students integrate their understanding of the natural sciences with not just politics, but disciplines like economics, sociology, anthropology, communication and the law. Exposing students to such a variety of faculty members and perspectives guides students toward a broader understanding of complexity of environment issues that a single discipline is unable to provide.

Opportunities for Engagement

  • Internships with state and local governmental agencies, such as the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, or nongovernmental organizations, such as the Region One Planning Council
  • Research in the Behaviors, Attitudes, Resources and Knowledge of Sustainability (BARKS) Survey or Illinois Municipal Sustainability Survey (IMSS)
  • Service through the Environmental Committee for the Student Government Association
  • Participation in the Washington, D.C. spring break trip for a hands-on seminar in government and politics

More Resources

We restructured our emphases. Check out the Policy and Law emphasis, available to new ESE majors, for additional resources.

Contact Us

Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability and Energy
325 Montgomery Hall
DeKalb, IL 60115
Phone: 815-753-1814
Email: envs@niu.edu
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