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Environmental Justice

The Environmental Justice Minor at Kean University is a 15-credit interdisciplinary program that examines the complex challenges, social movements, and areas of contestation surrounding environmental justice. Students engage with a carefully selected set of courses that foster critical thinking, develop analytical and communication skills, and promote solution-driven approaches to achieving equitable environmental outcomes.

Topics include global and local issues such as disparities in toxic waste disposal, ecological protection, water and air quality, and climate change mitigation — all with an emphasis on ensuring the fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens.

Coordinator:
Allison Edgley, Ed.D.
CAS 431 | edgleya@kean.edu | 908-737-0487

Program Requirements (15 credits)

Required Courses (9 credits)

  • ID 1350 – Introduction to Environmental Ethics

  • SOC 3420 – Environment and Society

  • ENV 4450 / 5750 – Climate and Environmental Justice

Students are advised to complete the foundational courses first.

Electives (6 credits)

Choose two courses from the following options:

Communication

  • COMM 3700 – Community Building and Advocacy

  • COMM 4200 – Environmental Communication

Environmental Science / Sustainability

  • ENV 3250 – Medicinal Botany

  • SUST 2200 – Introduction to Laws and Sustainability

Health Studies

  • HLTH 3100 – Environmental Health

Interdisciplinary Environmental Justice (IDEJ)

  • Any IDEJ course at the 3000 or higher level

Sociology

  • SOC 2000 – Introduction to Social Justice

Alternate/Transfer Course

  • Approved substitution with permission from the Minor Advisor or Program Coordinator

Additional Notes

  • The ID 1350 course can count toward both General Education distribution requirements and the minor.

  • Graduate-level courses (e.g., ENV 5750) may only be applied toward one degree level (bachelor’s or master’s, not both).

  • At least two courses must be at the 3000 level or higher.

  • Only 6 transfer credits (grade of B or better) may count toward the minor with coordinator approval.

  • Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in each course to fulfill the minor requirements.