Experiential learning

In Denison’s Sustainability and Environmental Studies program, students acquire skills and knowledge through practice-based learning experiences.

In addition to classroom learning, Denison’s Sustainability and Environmental Studies (SES) program requires students to acquire skills and knowledge through practice-based learning experiences. The degree requirement gives graduates a resume that reflects their ability to succeed in consulting careers and others with strong client relations components.

In the classroom

During a year-long junior practicum course, students are assigned to consulting teams that solve challenges for real-world clients. Recent clients and projects include:

Developing a green infrastructure plan for Licking County
Developing sustainability plans for Dawes Arboretum in Newark, Ohio, and Granville’s Otterbein Senior Life Community,
Working with the Village of Granville’s Planning and Development Department on sustainable development of local green infrastructure
Developing a nine-element Raccoon Creek Watershed management plan for the Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District

Building on their junior practicum experience, every senior major in the program creates a capstone consulting project on a topic of their own choosing.

Outside the classroom

Students majoring or minoring in SES are required to participate in one or more sustainability-related experiences outside of regular classwork at Denison. This praxis can be completed at any point during a student’s Denison career. Possibilities include internships, summer research, project-based off-campus study programs, and more.

Proposals for experiential opportunities are normally due to the SES director by the Friday before Spring Break for any summer and/or fall plans, and by the day before Fall Break for any spring plans. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with the SES director prior to submitting a proposal. See the degree requirements for more information.

Internship

Generally speaking, internships are handled through Denison’s Internship Program with the Knowlton Career Center.

How it works

Find an internship through Handshake or work with a faculty member or career coach and conduct your own research to find the internship best suited to your needs.
Consult with staff at the Knowlton Center to ensure your internship matches the “Denison Internship Program” parameters. This applies to both summer as well as academic-year internships.
Confirm the sustainability relevance of your proposed internship with an SES faculty member.

Summer research

How it works

Summer scholar research programs are available through the Lisska Center.
Propose an independent project or collaborate on research with a member of the faculty.
Summer Scholars receive a stipend and a housing allowance plus supplemental funds for research expenses.
Off-Campus Summer Scholars also receive travel funding. Interested students must find a professor to work with by mid-fall.
Confirm the sustainability relevance of your proposed project with an SES faculty member.
Applications—which include a detailed project proposal and a letter of recommendation from the faculty mentor—are due in late January.

Off-campus study

How it works

Off-campus study (OCS) can take place during the academic year or summer.
Apply through the Center for Global Programs.
Generally speaking, most students pay only an administrative fee for a semester abroad, and for students with demonstrated financial need, Denison will provide a flight allowance.
To qualify for the SES experiential component, the program must include a sustainability-oriented, in-depth project or internship that earns the student a minimum of three credit hours or is commensurate with that standard.
OCS has an advising guide with pre-approved for the SES experiential component.
Apply in fall of your sophomore year for a fall or spring semester abroad in your junior year.

Long-term sustainability project

How it works

Project guidelines are matched to the Denison Internship Program
A minimum of 200 hours are required for a summer project.
A minimum of 100 hours are required for an academic-year project (about seven hours of work each week for a semester).
You must have a faculty or staff coordinator/advisor for the project.
That person must sign off at the end of the experience to attest that the basic SES experiential standards were met.
Projects must be approved by the end of the semester prior to implementation.