{"id":128,"date":"2021-04-03T10:56:29","date_gmt":"2021-04-03T15:56:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/college-of-letters-sciences\/school-of-humanities-global-studies\/department-of-philosophy\/philosophy-environmental-ethics\/"},"modified":"2026-05-20T19:29:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T19:29:22","slug":"philosophy-environmental-ethics-university-of-wisconsin-stevens-point","status":"publish","type":"uwsp_programs","link":"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/programs\/philosophy-environmental-ethics-university-of-wisconsin-stevens-point\/","title":{"rendered":"Philosophy: Environmental Ethics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">OPEN A WORLD OF POSSIBILITY WITH A UW-STEVENS POINT DEGREE IN PHILOSOPHY WITH AN EMPHASIS IN ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Environmental ethics explores questions concerning the values, beliefs and attitudes that influence how people relate to the environment.&nbsp; We train students to navigate diverse perspectives skillfully, to reflect on the ethics of these perspectives, and to communicate clearly and persuasively about environmental issues. Graduates with this major find employment in the nonprofit sector working for environmental advocacy, conservation, sustainable food systems, alternative energy, and environmental education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Environmental Ethics at UWSP has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/news\/environmental-ethics-event-2023\/\">a proud history<\/a>, as one of the oldest such programs in the nation. The first course in Environmental Ethics offered anywhere was offered here at UW-Stevens Point, in 1971.\u00a0 The enormity of environmental concerns and the need for an ethical response to those issues has resulted in the rapid spread of the environmental ethics concept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwsp-horizontal-cards gold-hex blockspacetop blockspacebottom\"><div class=\"site-width\"><div style=\"text-align:center\" class=\"horizontal-card-intro\"><h3>Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies<\/h3><div class=\"acc-intro-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/school-of-humanities-and-global-studies\/department-of-philosophy-and-religious-studies\/\">Explore Department Resources <\/a><\/div><\/div><section class=\"hcard-container\" aria-label=\"Horizontal Card\"><div class=\"uwsp-horizontal-card-container\" aria-live=\"off\">\n<div class=\"uwsp-horiz-card-block\" id=\"hcard17786964693619104\"><div class=\"uwsp-horiz-card-individual split5050 hcard-imgright\"><div class=\"hcard-infocell\"><h3 class=\"hcard-title\">Why Study Environmental Ethics at UW-Stevens Point?<\/h3><div class=\"hcard-content\"><p>Our students benefit from deep knowledge in the field of environmental ethics. Our program is the oldest in the UW system. Students may pursue a bachelor&#8217;s of science or bachelor&#8217;s of arts major in Philosophy with an Emphasis in Environmental Ethics. They can find employment in the nonprofit sector working for environmental advocacy, conservation, sustainable food systems, alternative energy, and environmental education.<\/p><\/div><div>\n<a class=\"uwspbtn uwsp-btn-solid-purple\" href=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academic-success\/\" target=\"_self\">ACADEMIC AND CAREER ADVISING <i class=\"fa-solid fa-circle-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"uwspbtn uwsp-btn-solid-purple\" href=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/admissions-aid\/\" target=\"_self\">SCHOLARSHIP AND AID <i class=\"fa-solid fa-circle-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"uwspbtn uwsp-btn-outline-purple\" href=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academic-and-career-advising-center\/current-students\/degree-planning\/major-maps\/\" target=\"_self\">MAJOR MAP <i class=\"fa-solid fa-circle-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/a>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"hcard-mediacell\"><div class=\"iframe-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XriGkXsQnhM\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwsp-horiz-card-block\" id=\"hcard17786964706928362\"><div class=\"uwsp-horiz-card-individual split5050 hcard-imgright\"><div class=\"hcard-infocell\"><h3 class=\"hcard-title\">Awards and Scholarships<\/h3><div class=\"hcard-content\"><p>The Philosophy Department has scholarships to currently enrolled students. Students are notified of available scholarships in class and via email at the beginning of the spring semester. In April, and after scholarships have been awarded, students, parents, family members, and faculty come together to honor awardees at our Annual Department Awards Ceremony.<\/p><\/div><div>\n<a class=\"uwspbtn uwsp-btn-link-purple\" href=\"https:\/\/uwsp.scholarships.ngwebsolutions.com\/CMXAdmin\/Cmx_Content.aspx?cpId=1601\" target=\"_self\">SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH <i class=\"fa-solid fa-circle-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/a>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"hcard-mediacell\"><div class=\"hcard-images hcard-oneimg\"><div class=\"hcard-image\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2021\/04\/phil-bookawards.jpg)\">\u00a0<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwsp-horiz-card-block\" id=\"hcard17793026389433662\"><div class=\"uwsp-horiz-card-individual split5050 hcard-imgright\"><div class=\"hcard-infocell\"><h3 class=\"hcard-title\">ALUMNI VOICES<\/h3><div class=\"hcard-content\"><p>Philosophy helped them carve a path to fulfilling careers. UWSP Department of Philosophy alum&nbsp;from 1994- 2019&nbsp;share their graduate stories!<\/p><\/div><div>\n<a class=\"uwspbtn uwsp-btn-link-purple\" href=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/05\/Alumni-RS-2024.pdf\" target=\"_self\">View Slideshow <i class=\"fa-solid fa-circle-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/a>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"hcard-mediacell\"><div class=\"hcard-images hcard-oneimg\"><div class=\"hcard-image\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/05\/Philosophy9.jpg)\">\u00a0<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwsp-horiz-card-block\" id=\"hcard17793022462951118\"><div class=\"uwsp-horiz-card-individual split5050 hcard-imgright\"><div class=\"hcard-infocell\"><h3 class=\"hcard-title\">Graduate School Preparation<\/h3><div class=\"hcard-content\"><p>For those whose career path leads through graduate school, the Philosophy major offers great preparation. Nationwide, students who major in Philosophy score higher on law school entrance exams (LSAT) that almost all other majors. Philosophy majors also have a higher rate of acceptance to medical school than students who studied Biology or Chemistry.<\/p><\/div><div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"hcard-mediacell\"><div class=\"hcard-images hcard-oneimg\"><div class=\"hcard-image\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2021\/04\/warren-dona.jpg)\">\u00a0<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"hslider-buttoncontainer\"><button class=\"hsliderBack horizontal-sliderbutton\" aria-label=\"previous slide\">\u276e<\/button><div class=\"single-card-nav\"><\/div><button class=\"hsliderForward horizontal-sliderbutton\" aria-label=\"next slide\">\u276f<\/button><\/div><\/section><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WHAT TO EXPECT<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Students in Philosophy with Environmental Ethics take a core of Philosophy classes in critical thinking, ethics, and the history of Philosophy, along with focused classes in Environmental Ethics and a senior seminar. A selection of interdisciplinary courses from Natural Resources and other disciplines also are included in the electives for this major. Most of the classes in the major are small and discussion-focused, stressing independent thinking and active learning.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students with a major in Philosophy with an emphasis in Environmental Ethics train in the skills employers are looking for including critical thinking, advanced writing and research, and clear argumentation.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students with outstanding original work have the opportunity to present their research at the College of Letters and Science <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/college-of-letters-and-science\/undergraduate-research-symposium\/\">Undergraduate Research Symposium<\/a><\/strong>, held each spring. Internships and creative experiential learning opportunities give majors hands on experience in professional settings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GET INVOLVED ON CAMPUS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Philosophy students are active in many student organizations, including the<a href=\"https:\/\/spin.uwsp.edu\/sga\/home\/\"> Student Government Association<\/a>, and are frequently included in the ranks of the Chancellor&#8217;s Albertson Student Leadership Award winners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/spin.uwsp.edu\/philosoph\/home\/\">Philosophy Club of UWSP<\/a> is a student organization dedicated to promoting and maintaining a mature and professional environment for students interested in the field of philosophy and philosophical discussion. Regular activities include student facilitated conversations about controversial and topical issues. Faculty also attend some meetings to share some of their own work with students. The club welcomes all students. For further information, please contact the faculty advisor to the Philosophy Club, <a href=\"mailto:Jason.Zinser@uwsp.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jason Zinser<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Phi Sigma Tau is the international honor society for the study of philosophy. The purpose of Phi Sigma Tau is to cultivate interest in philosophy among students and to celebrate high achievement in the study of philosophy. Phi Sigma Tau publishes a journal, <em>Dialogue<\/em>, for student contributions in all areas of contemporary philosophical research. For further information, please contact the faculty advisor to Phi Sigma Tau, <a href=\"mailto:Jason.Zinser@uwsp.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jason Zinser<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More opportunities can be found on the <a href=\"https:\/\/spin.uwsp.edu\/\">Stevens Point Involvement Network (SPIN).<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">MEET YOUr faculty<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>UW-Stevens Point philosophy faculty ensure students read carefully, think critically, communicate effectively and participate meaningfully in environments characterized by cultural, religious and philosophical diversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/directory\/profiles\/?position_types%5B%5D=Faculty&amp;department_ids%5B%5D=60&amp;search=&amp;page_size=12\">Archives: Faculty \/ Staff Profiles \u2013 Faculty \/ Staff Directory<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uwsp-directory-profile-list wp-block-uwsp-directory-profile-4 align-center\"\n     style=\"--profile-container-width-desktop: 100%; --profile-item-width: 25%;\">\n<div id=\"uwsp-directory-profile-247\"\n     data-profile=\"247\"\n     data-profile-name=\"Alice Keefe\"\n     class=\"uwsp-profile-card \"\n     >\n  <div class=\"card-header\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"175\" height=\"175\"\n           src=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/directory\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/78\/2026\/04\/Keefe-Alice.jpg\"\n           class=\"card-img\" alt=\"Profile Photo: Alice Keefe\">\n      <\/div>\n  <div class=\"card-body\">\n    <h2>Alice Keefe<\/h2>\n\n        <ul class=\"card-titles\">\n              <li class=\"card-title\">Professor of Religious Studies<\/li>\n                <\/ul>\n    \n    <div class=\"card-contact\">\n              <div>CCC 406<\/div>\n                    <div><a href=\"tel:715-346-3205\"\n                aria-label=\"Call Alice Keefe\">715-346-3205<\/a><\/div>\n                    <div><a href=\"mailto:alice.keefe@uwsp.edu\"\n                aria-label=\"Email Alice Keefe\">alice.keefe@uwsp.edu<\/a><\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"card-footer\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/directory\/profile\/alice-keefe\/\" role=\"button\"\n       title=\"View Alice Keefe\">View profile <i class=\"far fa-arrow-alt-circle-right ms-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n    <\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"uwsp-directory-profile-278\"\n     data-profile=\"278\"\n     data-profile-name=\"Dona Warren\"\n     class=\"uwsp-profile-card \"\n     >\n  <div class=\"card-header\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"175\" height=\"175\"\n           src=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/directory\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/78\/2026\/04\/Warren-Dona-scaled-e1675204635736.jpg\"\n           class=\"card-img\" alt=\"Profile Photo: Dona Warren\">\n      <\/div>\n  <div class=\"card-body\">\n    <h2>Dona Warren<\/h2>\n\n        <ul class=\"card-titles\">\n              <li class=\"card-title\">Professor of Philosophy<\/li>\n              <li class=\"card-title\">Critical Thinking Center Head<\/li>\n                <\/ul>\n    \n    <div class=\"card-contact\">\n              <div>CCC 122<\/div>\n                    <div><a href=\"tel:715-346-4115\"\n                aria-label=\"Call Dona Warren\">715-346-4115<\/a><\/div>\n                    <div><a href=\"mailto:dona.warren@uwsp.edu\"\n                aria-label=\"Email Dona Warren\">dona.warren@uwsp.edu<\/a><\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"card-footer\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/directory\/profile\/dona-warren\/\" role=\"button\"\n       title=\"View Dona Warren\">View profile <i class=\"far fa-arrow-alt-circle-right ms-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n    <\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"uwsp-directory-profile-231\"\n     data-profile=\"231\"\n     data-profile-name=\"Ryan O&#8217;Leary\"\n     class=\"uwsp-profile-card \"\n     >\n  <div class=\"card-header\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"175\" height=\"175\"\n           src=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/directory\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/78\/2026\/04\/Philosophy-Ryan-OLeary.jpg\"\n           class=\"card-img\" alt=\"Profile Photo: Ryan O&#8217;Leary\">\n      <\/div>\n  <div class=\"card-body\">\n    <h2>Ryan O&#8217;Leary<\/h2>\n\n        <ul class=\"card-titles\">\n              <li class=\"card-title\">Lecturer in Religious Studies<\/li>\n              <li class=\"card-title\">Academic Success Associate<\/li>\n                <\/ul>\n    \n    <div class=\"card-contact\">\n              <div>Room 162 &#8211; Student Center, Marshfield campus<\/div>\n                    <div><a href=\"tel:715-389-6533\"\n                aria-label=\"Call Ryan O&#8217;Leary\">715-389-6533<\/a><\/div>\n                    <div><a href=\"mailto:roleary@uwsp.edu\"\n                aria-label=\"Email Ryan O&#8217;Leary\">roleary@uwsp.edu<\/a><\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"card-footer\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/directory\/profile\/ryan-oleary\/\" role=\"button\"\n       title=\"View Ryan O&#8217;Leary\">View profile <i class=\"far fa-arrow-alt-circle-right ms-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n    <\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"uwsp-directory-profile-282\"\n     data-profile=\"282\"\n     data-profile-name=\"Shanny Luft\"\n     class=\"uwsp-profile-card \"\n     >\n  <div class=\"card-header\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"175\" height=\"175\"\n           src=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/directory\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/78\/2026\/04\/Philosophy-Shanny-Luft.jpg\"\n           class=\"card-img\" alt=\"Profile Photo: Shanny Luft\">\n      <\/div>\n  <div class=\"card-body\">\n    <h2>Shanny Luft<\/h2>\n\n        <ul class=\"card-titles\">\n              <li class=\"card-title\">Associate Professor of Religious Studies<\/li>\n              <li class=\"card-title\">Director of General Education<\/li>\n                <\/ul>\n    \n    <div class=\"card-contact\">\n              <div>ALB 206D<\/div>\n                    <div><a href=\"tel:715-346-4023\"\n                aria-label=\"Call Shanny Luft\">715-346-4023<\/a><\/div>\n                    <div><a href=\"mailto:sluft@uwsp.edu\"\n                aria-label=\"Email Shanny Luft\">sluft@uwsp.edu<\/a><\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"card-footer\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/directory\/profile\/shanny-luft\/\" role=\"button\"\n       title=\"View Shanny Luft\">View profile <i class=\"far fa-arrow-alt-circle-right ms-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n    <\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Students with a major in Philosophy with an emphasis in Environmental Ethics train in the skills employers are looking for including critical thinking, advanced writing and research, and clear argumentation. 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