Environmental Humanities
Humans have constructed and transformed the environment through their social and technological systems. Humanities disciplines have given increasing attention to environmental matters as crises such as climate change become more pressing.
Environmental Humanities at UNSW
Teaching and research on the environment is spread across UNSW. Studying Environmental Humanities in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences allows you to concentrate on the social and political implications of human impacts on the environment. The program will also develop your critical thinking capacities about the relationship between human society and the rest of the environment, and assist you in discussing and writing coherently about the complexity of environmental change.
The program focuses on how and why environmental concerns have risen to the forefront of current policy agendas since the latter part of the twentieth century. It examines how social, technological and scientific systems dominate human interaction with the environment, how these systems vary across the world and change with time, and the ways in which environmental decisions are made and controversies resolved. It explores the values and world-views that frame the ways in which we interact with the natural world.
Environmental Humanities offers courses from across the Faculty of Arts and Social Science led by the School of Humanities.
Download the Environmental Humanities information brochure (PDF) (459 Kb)
Careers
Environmental Humanities graduates have diverse career opportunities, including: research, policy-making in government agencies, community consultancy and dispute resolution. Environmental Humanities graduates are equipped to engage critically and productively with what are likely to be some of the most pressing social and environmental issues of the future. As a result, they are well placed to contribute to addressing vital issues such as how to avoid pollution, how to implement new energy technologies or how to clean up contaminated sites. Graduates are employed in planning teams with engineers and other technologists, or contribute to the public participation processes that are now a normal part of major project decisions.
Graduates of this major include: policy maker in a government environment agency; industry manager; consultant for community organisation.
International Opportunities
As one of Australia’s most international universities UNSW offers you the opportunity to spend a session or two overseas studying at one of our partner institutions as part of your degree. UNSW manages a large and active exchange program with over 200 different student exchange opportunities in 38 countries.
Program Information
Environmental Humanities is offered as a major or minor within the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and combined degree programs. The UNSW BA provides the opportunity to combine two disciplines from a choice of over thirty five majors and minors. Environmental Humanities is also offered as:
- A major in the Bachelor of Social Research & Policy
- A major in the Bachelor of Economics
- A fourth (Honours) year for high achieving students
- Postgraduate studies, including Masters and PhD by research (School of Humanities) and the Master in Environmental Management (Institute of Environmental Studies)
- An elective or general education course
Program Convenors: Dr Thom Van Dooren; Dr Matthew Kearnes
View your course options in the UNSW Handbook
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Media (Communication & Journalism)
- Bachelor of Media (Media Production)
- Bachelor of Media (Screen & Sound)
- Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Social Research & Policy
Courses
Courses available are listed at the UNSW Handbook.
