Fundamentals of the Earth’s environmental systems; human impact on natural systems at global, national and regional scales. Environmental hazards, concerns and issues; ethical, legislative, economic, and political responses and constraints.

Environment and Society is designed to provide students from all disciplines and backgrounds with an awareness of current environmental concerns at the global, national and local levels. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding the relationship between people, their activities, and the biophysical environment, and on developing an informed understanding of the socio-cultural context of environmental problems. Acknowledging the range of values different people have for environmental systems and natural resources is critical to constructing meaningful responses to environmental challenges. Environment and Society requires students to critically think about environmental issues, ask questions about the evidence for such issues and make decisions based on the evidence put forward to support claims about the environment.