Abstract
The new undergraduate major in Earth Systems, Environment, and Society (ESES) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is designed to offer an innovative, multidisciplinary liberal arts and sciences education in the scientific and human dimensions of the Earth system that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries to explore the complexities and interconnectedness of society and the physical environment. The fundamental motivation behind the ESES major is the recognition that the Earth is a complex system in which the solid planet, the oceans, the atmosphere, and life (both human and non-human) interact in countless ways. To respond adequately to the environmental challenges of our time, it is necessary to understand these interactions and interdependencies that transcend traditional disciplinary classifications. The curriculum within ESES balances a broad exposure to diverse disciplines at an introductory level with a more focused substantive course of study at the upper level. Bringing together diverse perspectives from the sciences, social sciences, and humanities, this program allows students to study important and exciting interdisciplinary Earth system topics, such as climate change, societal development with limited resources, human impacts on the environment, deforestation, land use change, and issues pertaining to water use and availability.
Published Version
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