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Environment and Society

Environment and Society will help you understand the social processes that promote the degradation of the Earth and our persistence in such destructive behaviour.  

 

Environment and Society at STU

The Environment and Society Program is an interdisciplinary program with courses from several departments which explore the root causes of environmental degradation and how society can address them.

 

Courses in Environment and Society at STU are designed around four pillars:

 

  • Problems
  • Perspectives
  • Politics
  • Praxis—reflection and action for social change

Our focus on tracing the root causes of an issue and using knowledge to create social change is what sets our Environment and Society program apart. 

 

Dr. Janice Harvey stands in the study hall leaning on the railing

 

“Environment and Society will introduce you to your eco-community, help you critically analyze how we are relating to our fellow inhabitants, and encourage you to imagine and work towards new relationships that will sustain that community.”

 

Dr. Janice Harvey, Coordinator of Environment and Society at STU

 

 

What sets STU’s Environment and Society Program Apart? 

  • Small, engaging classes that emphasize personal interaction, discussion, and debate.  
     
  • Our program is designed around four pillars: problems, perspective, politics, praxis (reflection and action). 
     
  • Lectures and seminars are always taught by professors—not teaching assistants—which means students learn from experts in the field. 
  • The greatest challenges associated with environmental problems aren’t scientific—they are political, economic, cultural, and ethical. Our liberal arts approach allows you to tackle these issues by focusing on their root causes and working for social change. 
     
  • Two courses within the Environment and Society program count toward STU’s unique Certificate in Experiential Learning and Community Engagement. 
     
  •  As an interdisciplinary program, Environment and Society draws on courses from disciplines like Communications and Public Policy, Anthropology, Human Rights, and Sociology, which gives you the opportunity to examine environmental issues through multiple perspectives.

Where the Study of Environment and Society can Take You

Studying Environment and Society will give you the ability to look at issues critically to understand causes and discover realistic solutions. You will develop advanced skills in research, as well as written and verbal communication, problem solving, and advocacy. Environment and Society students are able to connect their in-class learning to the real world and become effective ecological citizens.  

 

This prepares graduates for meaningful careers in fields like: 

 

  • Government
  • Business
  • Non-Governmental Organizations
  • Public Policy
  • Environmental Law
  • Activism
  • Education
  • Journalism 

 

“Working with the Nature Trust enhanced so many of my skills. I improved my professional writing, content creation abilities, confidence with public speaking, time management, leadership, critical thinking, and so much more. Most importantly, the opportunity to work at Nature Trust made me realize how much I love my chosen degree. It has reignited my excitement for my career path.” 
 
 
Kelly Green, BA ’22, Environment and Society and Communications and Public Policy

 

Gain Experience and Build Your Resume

Connect the study of Environment and Society with professional experience through the STU Internship Program in positions with:

 

  • Canada Parks and Wilderness Society of New Brunswick
  • Conservation Council of New Brunswick
  • Greener Village
  • Nature Trust of New Brunswick
  • The Gaia Project
  • Hayes Urban Teaching Farm

You will have opportunities to develop and implement environmental action campaigns, discover the local ecoregion, and work with groups that are involved in solving environmental problems. 
 
STU Sustainability—a student-led club—advocates for sustainability on and off campus.  

You might be interested in studying Environment and Society if…

  • You are concerned about what’s happening to our world
  • You believe environmental change is possible
  • You want to understand the root causes of environmental issues

Featured Courses

Environmental Praxis I: Thinking Globally, Acting Locally 
Ecological Literacy 
Social Dimensions of Climate Change 
Sustainability Auditing 

Fields that Enhance Your Learning in Environment and Society

As an interdisciplinary program, Environment and Society draws on courses from many departments including Anthropology, Political Science, Sociology, Economics, History, Native Studies, and Science and Technology Studies, among others.