Faculty: Bensel, Bethurem, Carbone

The Energy and Society minor is a program in the Interdisciplinary Studies Area of Study. Energy and Society minors may complete any major to satisfy the college requirement that the major and minor be in different areas of study.

Energy and Society Minor Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete a minor in Energy and Society are expected to be able to:

• Investigate, identify, and predict social and behavioral aspects of energy consumption at the individual, organizational, and community levels.
• Explain, describe, and evaluate different energy symptoms and how natural processes control their formation, extraction, and environmental impacts.
• Evaluate the spatial distribution of energy resources. Compare and contrast economic and geopolitical issues in their utilization and trade.
• Develop and apply analytical tools to promote access, efficiency, conservation, and/or equity in energy systems within local, regional, national, or international communities.

The Energy and Society Minor

The Energy and Society minor consists of 20 credits. At graduation, Energy and Society minors must have a GPA of at least 2.0 in the minor. The calculation is based on the grades of all courses presented for the minor. Only the most recent grade is considered for courses that have been repeated. Only 1 course may be taken Credit/No Credit. A maximum of 12 transfer credits may be counted toward the major; exceptions must be approved by the department chair.

The Energy & Society minor requires three required foundation courses cover 12 credit hours, while the remaining 8 credit hours (two courses) are completed in one of four elective tracks: Ethics & Social Justice, Communication, Economic Systems, or Political Systems. Each student in the minor is assigned an advisor; students work with their advisor to identify particular electives to complete the minor.