BA in Environmental Studies in Canberra Australia | The Australian National University

The environment stands as a significant topic of discussion and influence in modern society. It exists as both a reactive and autonomous force, extending beyond cultural boundaries and national jurisdictions. Serving as a unifying framework for all organisms, every life form relies on its essential resources and life-sustaining properties. However, both human and non-human actors inhabit, perceive, and interact with distinct environmental settings. Due to its evolving nature and regional variations, environmental studies have become crucial in social science research, particularly during this era of climate change. The Environmental Social Science major introduces students to the intricate connections between societal and ecological systems, their processes, and transformations. Through this program, students explore environmental issues from multiple academic viewpoints, including sociology, biological anthropology, historical analysis, development studies, indigenous perspectives, policy research, geography, human ecology, and sustainability science. Central to this study is examining the reciprocal relationships between humanity and the natural world across different settings, along with how global and local events affect environmental dynamics, and conversely, how these processes influence society. This major equips students with cross-disciplinary understanding and investigative tools to address complex environmental challenges facing current and future generations, while offering chances to apply this knowledge through practical solutions and initiatives.