University of Virginia
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

Environments + Sustainability is a track or concentration within the interdisciplinary Global Studies major. Students specifically address problems associated with human transformations of the earth through the triple lens of environment, equity, and economy and policy by focusing on: - earth system science, environmental sustainability, ecosystem restoration and environmental conservation - human settlement patterns, rapid urbanization, and affordable housing - fresh water and sanitation production, consumption, and infrastructure - energy production, consumption, and infrastructure - agriculture, food systems, and food security - public health challenges connected with the built environment - environmental impact of material science and production - transportation technologies and logistics - economics, development, natural capital, resource allocation and externalities - environmental, social, and personal behavior and ethics

The curriculum integrates professional courses, both theoretical and technical, with a liberal arts education focused on understanding our cities and environments. In particular the Program introduces students to the theories of planning, methods of analysis, effective means of communication, planning processes, and creative strategies for implementation. Some key areas of study include: -Sustainable community development -Environmental impacts -Public and private costs of development -Neighborhood planning and community development

The Environmental Thought and Practice (ETP) major teaches undergraduates to think about environmental issues within a broadly interdisciplinary framework. Environmental problems concern natural phenomena whose dimensions are appropriately described by environmental scientists. However, the "problems" themselves result from changes in public perception that are contingent upon cultural constructs and historical events. Attempts to solve these problems necessarily fall within the political sphere, but policy debates draw on principles and discourses from philosophy, economics, and ethics. In short, understanding and solving environmental problems demands the ability to connect ideas from such diverse disciplines as anthropology, literature, history, ethics, politics, the natural sciences, economics, and land use planning.

The interdisciplinary Minor in Global Sustainability benefits students of all majors who want to understand the many facets of sustainability and learn how to apply this knowledge to their daily lives. The Minor empowers students across the University in common efforts to accomplish real change through community engagement with sustainable projects in their communities and beyond. The Minor also establishes connections between different disciplines and prepares students to incorporate sustainable practices into their varied future careers. The Minor is housed in the School of Architecture and guided by a Governing Board of representatives from the seven partner academic units and one student representative. In establishing the Minor we aim to shape students both into individual leaders ready to create and tackle projects on their own, and into creative collaborators who understand how to engage the material and human resources of their community to accomplish their goals.

The curriculum integrates professional courses, both theoretical and technical, with a liberal arts education focused on understanding our cities and environments. In particular the Program introduces students to the theories of planning, methods of analysis, effective means of communication, planning processes, and creative strategies for implementation. Some key areas of study include: -Sustainable community development -Environmental impacts -Public and private costs of development -Neighborhood planning and community development