
College of Arts and Sciences
Environmental Studies

What is Environmental Studies (EVST)?
Environmental Studies (EVST) is an interdisciplinary field that explores the human and social dimensions of environmental issues. EVST creates connections between such diverse disciplines as art, philosophy, economics, history, literature, anthropology, outdoor recreation, and nutrition in order to better understand the complex interplay between nature and society while helping students to build marketable skills geared toward solving today's most pressing environmental challenges.

What do EVST students do?
Through the place-based, experiential focus of UTC's EVST program, students gain first-hand insight into the effects of human societies on the natural world and the role that environments, both natural and built, have played in shaping human cultures. Environmental Studies students connect what they learn in the classroom to real-world experience in the community while preparing for careers in business, government, nonprofits, the arts, and education.

Who should major or minor in EVST?
Any student interested in exploring the environment from a perspective rooted in the humanities and social sciences, and in becoming a leader in creating a just, sustainable future, should consider majoring or minoring in EVST. Learn to be an engaged scholar and creative environmental advocate who can address global, national, regional and local challenges with rigor and compassion while preparing for a career that could take you anywhere.
When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.
-John Muir, from My First Summer in the Sierras
Diversity creates harmony, and harmony creates beauty, balance, bounty and peace in nature and society, in agriculture and culture, in science and in politics.
-Vandana Shiva, from "India Divided: Diversity and Democracy Under Attack"