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Why Study Environmental Policy and Culture

Environmental Policy issues are emerging as among the most important challenges of the twenty-first century. Global climate change, food and water security, and the environmental impacts of renewal energy sources are of particular concern. Fundamental to these issues is how society interacts with the environment in the political and cultural realms. Both the social sciences and humanities provide insights into human-environment interactions.

The Environmental Policy and Culture Program offers students an interdisciplinary approach to environmental studies, focusing on the social sciences and humanities. The program is developing a focus on global issues, including climate change, energy production, and sustainable water and food supplies for a growing population.

We offer a program of study starting with a choice of two overview courses and continuing with more advanced lecture courses and seminars. Students in the EPC program acquire knowledge and analytical skills that will serve them in a variety of careers including public service in government and jobs in non-governmental organizations, business, law, medicine, and journalism. The interdisciplinary nature of the program makes it compatible with many other programs at Northwestern.