This page contains a catalogue of the courses that have been offered under the Environmental Studies major/minor in recent years. It also provides a short description of the core courses that all Environmental Studies majors are required to take as part of their degree requirements.

 1. Gateway Course

Required of all majors and minors

YID1201 Introduction to Environmental Studies: An introduction to the central concerns and dominant analytic and policy approaches of scholars and activists working in the field of environmental studies. Insights from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities are used to interrogate an array of environmental problems, from climate change and energy technologies to consumerism, the formation of environmental values, and theories of social change. Special emphasis is placed on issues of regional concern, including waste management, biofuels, escalating energy use, and competing environmental value sets, which will be used to understand and illustrate a distinctive ‘environmental studies’ approach to these challenges. Generally offered every semester.

 2. Conceptual Approaches to Environmental Studies

Required of all majors and minors (majors must complete a minimum of two of the following five courses, while minors must complete a minimum of one). All 2000-level courses in Environmental Studies fall into this category.

YID2201 The Theory and Practice of Environmental Policymaking: Environmental problems frequently arise from asymmetries in political power that result in policies that benefit some groups at the cost of environmental integrity. Likewise, addressing environmental problems often involves the redistribution of power and influence, with new policies that reflect or cement these political-economic changes. How might we best understand those dimensions of political power and policy change that relate to environmental quality and human health? What models of political and social change best inform our thinking as we try to understand systems of power, policy, and politics consistent with prevailing notions of environmental sustainability? What can we learn from successful and failed attempts to implement effective and efficient environmental policies at the local, state, national, and/or transnational level?  (Taught by Professor Michael Maniates) Generally offered every second or third semester. Prerequisite: Introduction to Environmental Studies or permission of instructor.

YID 2203 Ecology and Ecosystems: Ecology investigates the complex interactions of organisms with one another and their environment at different levels of organisation, from populations up to ecosystems. This course does not try to cover as many topics within the broad field of Ecology as possible, but rather focuses on three broad ecological questions: 1. What limits and regulates the growth of populations? 2. What drives the coexistence of species in natural communities (biodiversity)? 3. How are trophic interactions, diversity and the dynamics and resilience of ecosystems related?  We study ecological theory related to each question, after which we use our newly gained knowledge to explore the role of ecology in a range of applied topics. The questions go from the level of populations, to the level of communities and subsequently that of ecosystems. Each question introduces new concepts while explicitly building on what we learned previously (Taught by Associate ProfessorMichiel Van Breugel).  Generally offered every second or third semester.  Introduction to Environmental Studies is a recommended but not required course.

YID 2207 Social Theory and the Environment: This foundational course in environmental studies introduces students to social theories applicable to socio-ecological problems. It equips students with the theoretical knowledge for social scientific analysis expected in upper-level environmental studies courses and the capstone project. As an interdisciplinary course, students are introduced to concepts and theories in environmental sociology, environmental anthropology, political ecology, and science and technology studies, among others (Taught by Assistant Professor Marvin Joseph Fonacier Montefrio ).  Generally offered every second or third semester. Prerequisite: Introduction to Environmental Studies, and Modern Social Thought or permission of instructor.

YID 2208 Foundations of Environmental Humanities: A survey of the contribution of humanities disciplines—literature, art, history, religious studies, and philosophy—to understanding the relationships among human beings, nonhuman beings, and the techno-natural world we inhabit. Students read influential works in ecocriticism and environmental humanities and analyse relevant texts, such as novels, films, art, and music. Specific topics include the role of art, literature, and popular culture in shaping and reflecting beliefs about ‘the environment’; bioregionalism; environmental ethics and values; animals; posthumanism; climate change fiction; and the Anthropocene (Associate Professor Matthew Schneider-Mayerson).  Generally offered every second or third semester.  Prerequisite: Introduction to Environmental Studies or permission of instructor.

YSC2253 Principles of Environmental Science: This course explores how the Earth functions as a complex and inter-connected system throughout the lithosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), and atmosphere (air). We will consider the interaction of physical, chemical and biological processes, and highlight the ways in which human activity impacts the resilience of Earth systems. Classroom learning will be supplemented with field excursions to understand first-hand how environments are structured and their response to human disturbance.

3. Analytic Methods Course

Required of all majors beginning with Class of 2019. Students must consult with their academic advisor to determine an appropriate course.

4. Area of Specialisation:

Typically, upper-level coursework focused on a specific topic, question, or field of inquiry, as approved by a student’s academic advisor and the Head of Studies of Environmental Studies.

All students majoring in environmental studies must complete a minimum of 20 units in this category drawing from the most relevant courses across the curriculum.  Students move through a planning process beginning in their third year of study, and arrive at a binding list of courses by the beginning of their fourth year.  Students are encouraged to include relevant advanced courses at NUS or from study abroad programmes, subject to approval by their academic advisor.  Students may also draw from the following upper-level courses offered within the Environmental Studies major when designing their Area of Specialisation:

• Special Topics: Entangled Environments: Ocean & Society in S.E.A
• Special Topics: Planetary Health
• Special Topics: Asia Edible Ocean
• Another World is Possible: Ecotopian Visions
• Global Environmental Governance
• Agrarian Change and Environmental Transformations
• China’s Energy and Environmental Sustainability
• Environmental Movements: Past, Present and Future
• Climate Science and Policy
• Energy Humanities: Culture, Energy, and the Environment
• Ecological Economics
• Risk and Geohazard
• Environmental Conflict and Collaboration
• Urban Ecological Systems
• Sustainable Consumption
• Environment, Development and Mobilisation in Asia
• Conservation Biology
• Singapore Biodiversity: Past, Present, and Future
• Volcanos, Climate, and Society in the 19th Century
• The Ethics and Politics of Reproduction in the Age of Climate Change
• Wildlife Forensics and the Shark Fin Trade