Date of Award

11-1-2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS)

Department

Liberal Studies

First Advisor

Dale Willman

Second Advisor

Nedra Stimpfle

Abstract

Human impact on nature has led to global environmental destruction and degradation. Young people are not environmentally knowledgeable, and they are not receiving the type of instruction they need in order to be environmentally literate citizens. In order to repair some of the damage that has been done and to diminish future impact, environmental education must be thoroughly and thoughtfully incorporated into people's lives.

Environmental education has existed, in various forms, for nearly a century as, at best, a supplement to "real education." Rather than being a fringe subject, environmental education warrants attention in American education that is equal to core curriculum subjects such as math, science and English. There are many viable approaches for the widespread inclusion of environmental education, but the three components that must be included in any successful program are: interdisciplinary study; place-based, experiential learning; and improved teacher training in environmental education.

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