History of Environmental Studies at UVM
The Environmental Studies Program at University of Vermont was established in 1972 to understand the ecological and cultural systems that support life on Earth. The Environmental Program established the Environmental Studies major, one of the first in the nation, which drew on faculty expertise and courses from many different disciplines.
Core Principles
- Interdisciplinary approach to understanding
- Commitment to high-impact experiential learning
- Joy of creative teaching
- Sustainability in all things
- Catalysts for change
Scholarship, teaching, advising, and service are the hallmark of UVM's Environmental Program. Our interdisciplinary approach is to support students by designing individualized courses of study based on interest and skill level.
The strength of the Environmental Studies Program starts with the faculty and the work they do to advance interdisciplinary environmental thinking. Their areas of expertise range from ecocritical media studies to forest carbon markets. Our faculty's interdisciplinary research sets the bar and serves as a model for student research, whether in course projects, senior capstones, or independent studies.
Learning Objectives for the Environmental Studies Program Are:
- Demonstrate a deep understanding of the scope, scale, and multiple dimensions of current environmental challenges.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply interdisciplinary approaches to critically evaluate environmental challenges and solutions.
- Understand how people from diverse walks of life value, engage with, and are affected by environmental challenges.