Evaluating the Inclusion of Environmental Justice and Equity Focused Curriculum in Environmental Programs at Minority-Serving Institutions
Abstract
Environmental justice (EJ) is used to discuss how racially minoritized and low-income populations are disproportionately impacted by environmental hazards and has become an important consideration when evaluating environmental concerns. Despite its growing relevance in environmental fields, the extent to which EJ topics are included in environmental science higher education is still unclear. Literature on EJ in higher education programs has focused primarily on what institutional factors contribute to its inclusion, while offering little information about what specific topics are covered and the expected learning outcomes (Hazula-DeLay, 2013). In addition, recent studies looking at the inclusion of EJ curriculum have focused primarily on predominantly white institutions (PWIs), suggesting an incomplete understanding of its inclusion (Garibay et al., 2016). This study utilizes a sample of 159 minority-serving institutions (MSIs) to identify how EJ and equity curriculum is incorporated into environmental programs, to determine whether this curriculum is required, explore the topics that are covered in relevant courses, and analyze what differences exist between environmental programs that emphasize science versus those that emphasize social science. The lack of inclusion of certain topics within curriculum may suggest to students that such topics are not essential. However, it is important that students are educated on EJ and equity topics to better understand different perspectives and how environmental hazards and social change issues are connected. In addition, given the highly political nature of the environmental field, inclusion of EJ and equity curriculum can help prepare students to face such issues in future careers.
Subject
Environmental JusticeEnvironmental Equity
Higher Education
Curriculum
Minority-Serving Institutions
Citation
Buckley, Corinne Marie (2022). Evaluating the Inclusion of Environmental Justice and Equity Focused Curriculum in Environmental Programs at Minority-Serving Institutions. Undergraduate Research Scholars Program. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /196590.