GUR Strands Overview

GUR Strands

GUR Strands consist of 2-3 existing GUR courses that can be linked in successive quarters so that freshmen take them as a cohort, building skills and knowledge throughout the year. The purpose of the Strands is two-fold. First, Strands provide a recommended year-long schedule of three classes which enhance and deepen student achievement of the GUR competencies within Western’s liberal arts core curriculum. Second, Strands improve the first-year experience through the coordination of curricula and the creation of a year-long cohort “learning community.”

Strand #1 Understanding Human-Environment Interactions View Course Details

  • Fall: Environmental Studies 201
  • Fall: Seminar 101
  • Winter: Environmental Studies 203
  • Spring: Environmental Studies 204

This strand will provide a year-long and cohesive sequence that develops the foundations of an epistemologically and methodologically diverse understanding of human-environment interactions. Starting with ENVS 201, and following with both ENVS 204 and ENVS 203, this strand will develop the students’ understanding of the Earth’s natural processes. ENVS 201 will introduce students to both the range of challenges we face in achieving a sustainable human-environment and the nature of the interdisciplinary inquiry and action required for effective environmental problem solving. ENVS 204 focuses on the spatial analysis of culture, politics, economy, and related human-environment interactions. ENVS 203 will develop students’ understanding of the Earth’s natural processes, particularly as they relate to human experience of the environment. Taken together, this sequence of courses will offer an excellent introduction to the study of human-environment interactions and should prove to be an attractive way for students to complete some of the general university requirements (GUR). Students interested in registering for this strand should contact: Kathryn.Patrick@wwu.edu 360 650-2817

Strand #2 Biology Scholars View Course Details

  • Fall: Chemistry 161
  • Winter: Chemistry 162
  • Spring: Biology 204
  • Spring: Chemistry 163

This GUR strand is by invitation only from the Biology Department.

Strand Options
Courses in Each Strand
  • Fall: Environmental Studies 201
  • Fall: Seminar 101
  • Winter: Environmental Studies 203
  • Spring: Environmental Studies 204
Strand #2
Biology Scholars

This cluster is available by invitation only.
  • Fall: Chemistry 161
  • Winter: Chemistry 162
  • Spring: Biology 204
  • Spring: Chemistry 163