Program Overview

Introduction to the Geography/Social Studies Program

The Geography/Social Studies program at Western Washington University provides students with a comprehensive understanding of geography, environmental studies, history, economics, anthropology, and political science. This interdisciplinary program prepares students for a wide range of career paths, including planning, education, environmental agencies, business, tourism, GIS, government service, transportation, and more.

Why Consider a Geography/Social Studies Major?

Students interested in teaching geography and social studies to children in grades 5-12 in public or private school settings can benefit from this major. The program meets Washington State requirements for a teaching endorsement and can also prepare students for teaching in non-traditional settings. Additionally, students with a degree in Geography/Social Studies can pursue graduate work in geography, education, or environmental education.

Student Resources

• Department website: Environmental Studies
• Professional Advisor: Kathryn Patrick, Environmental Studies 539
• Geography Education Advisors: David Rossiter, Arntzen Hall 232, and Patrick Buckley, Arntzen Hall 222
• Department advising: See the Advising section of the College of the Environment website
• Degree Works: Current students should log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress
• Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
• Sample Careers: Middle or High School Teacher, Planner, Land-Use Analyst, Eco Tourism Consultant, GIS Technician, Community Organizer, Private School Teacher, NGO leader

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process)

To declare a major in Environmental Studies, students must meet the following requirements:

• Confirmed admission to Western Washington University
• ENVS 203, HNRS 215, or equivalent transfer credit (completion with C- or better)
• ENVS 204 or equivalent transfer credit (completion with C- or better) Students can declare a pre-major at any time and then declare a major upon completion of admission requirements.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student's major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors. Courses required for a state teaching endorsement must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.

Requirements (88 credits minimum)

The Geography/Social Studies, BA degree requires 60 upper-level credits.

Geography (46-50 credits)

• Geography Foundations (11 credits)
  • ENVS 203 - Physical Geography (4 credits)
  • ENVS 204 - Human Geography (4 credits)
  • One course from:
    • ESCI 101 - Environmental Studies: A Scientific Approach (3 credits)
    • UEPP 202 - Introduction to Sustainability and Society (3 credits)
• Tools of Geography (8 credits)
  • ENVS 201 - Understanding Environmental Information (4 credits)
  • ENVS 319 - Research and Writing in Environmental Studies (4 credits)
• Human Geography (16-17 credits)
  • Four courses from:
    • ENVS 331 - Geographies of Canada (4 credits)
    • ENVS 332 - The Pacific Northwest: Society and Environment (4 credits)
    • ENVS 333 - East Asia: Society and Environment (4 credits)
    • ENVS 342 - Geography of the World Economy (4 credits)
    • UEPP 343 - Urbanization: Processes and Patterns (4 credits)
    • ENVS 418 - GIS II: Cartography and Geovisualization (5 credits)
• Physical Geography (4-5 credits)
  • One course from:
    • ENVS 325 - Mountain Geography (4 credits)
    • ENVS 326 - Climatology (4 credits)
    • ENVS 327 - The Soil Environment (4 credits)
    • ENVS 372 - Natural Hazards Planning (5 credits)
    • ENVS 392 - Introduction to Climate Change (4 credits)
• Advanced 400-level courses (8 credits)
  • Two courses from:
    • ENVS 426 - Water Resources (4 credits)
    • ENVS 427 - Soil Landscapes (4 credits)
    • ENVS 428 - Biogeography (4 credits)
    • ENVS 430 - Borderlands: Resource Management (4 credits)
    • ENVS 431 - Pacific Rim: Environment, Economy and Sustainability (4 credits)
    • ENVS 441 - Society, Space, and Natural Resources (4 credits)
    • UEPP 443 - Social Justice and the City (4 credits)
    • ENVS 444 - Geography, Colonialism, and the Pacific Northwest (4 credits)

Social Studies (41-43 credits)

• HIST 103 - Introduction to American Civilization: American History to 1865 (5 credits)
• HIST 104 - Introduction to American Civilization: American History Since 1865 (5 credits)
• HIST 121 - World History to 500 (5 credits)
• HIST 123 - World History, 1500 to the Present (5 credits)
• One course from:
  • HIST 391 - History of the Pacific Northwest (5 credits)
  • HIST 392 - Tribal Sovereignty and Washington History (5 credits)
• PLSC 250 - The American Political System (5 credits)
• One course from:
  • ECON 206 - Introduction to Microeconomics (4 credits)
  • ECON 446 - Economics for the Teacher (3 credits)
• One course from:
  • ECON 207 - Introduction to Macroeconomics (4 credits)
  • ECON 447 - Methods for Teaching About the National Economy in the Public Schools (3 credits)
• One course from:
  • ANTH 201 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (5 credits)
  • SOC 221 - Introduction to Population Issues (5 credits)
  • SOC 251 - Sociology of Deviant Behavior (5 credits)
  • SOC 255 - Social Organization of Criminal Justice (5 credits)
  • SOC 260 - The Family in Society (5 credits)
  • SOC 268 - Gender and Society (5 credits)
  • SOC 269 - Race and Ethnic Relations (5 credits)

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement