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Show ijouf new/ B4 MONDAY*AUGUST 21 »2006 Environmental studies on campus David R. Keller Guest Writer we do here in the arid west, whereas nomadic herding and hunting cultures alter the land through animal husbandry, as Mongolians do in central Asia and Bedouins do on the Arabia peninsula. Manufacturing centers in industrialized countries require the diversion of water and the implementation of waste disposal systems, as well as complex transportation infrastructure. These activities affect the environment. The scope of Environmental Studies extends from the local to the global, because social and natural systems are connected at each of these levels and every level in between. Since humans are integral parts of ecological systems, an understanding of the structure and function of the biosphere is crucial, as well was not consistent with the ecology of the island ecosystem, and led to the end Environmental Studies of that civilization. is a nationally popular proAlternately, the flow of gram new to UVSC. The water through rice paddies discipline is rich with pos- in Bali is strictly regulated sibilities, as it weaves to at the community level, else ether threads from the Hu- farmers on higher ground manities and Natural Sci- might hoard water and ences. This cross-fertiliza- cause lower rice paddies tion is essential, as the goal to dry up, possibly causof Environmental Studies ing food shortages. And, is to discern complex rela- confronting starvation, the tionships between nature early Mormon pioneers and culture. pooled together scarce natCulture is linked to na- ural resources and devised ture, because nature pro- a _fast offering_ system to vides the context within distribute goods to famwhich humans create cul- ilies in need, for the welture. Cultures persist or per- fare of the community as a ish depending on whether whole. customs and rituals conNature is linked to form and are sustainable culture, because humans within the particular natural modify nature through the environment of that culture. economic activity necesFor example, Easter Island sary for civilization. Agrarculture's ritual of erecting ian cultures modify the gigantic stone monuments land through -farming, as | j ) Remington Place Condominiums FREE Cable and Internet! Just across the street from UVSC! FREE as an understanding of the ways humans see nature through cultural lenses. Due to its interdisciplinary character, a degree in Environmental Studies is not a straightforward science or technology degree. Rather, it is a liberal arts degree useful for students seeking academic or professional paths in public policy on the environment. Because environmental issues transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries. Environmental Studies encourages cross-disciplinary thinking. Classroom activities and field studies allow students to engage in real world issues such as land use planning, natural resource management, biodiversity, global climate change, private property rights, transportation, and so on. The curriculum is designed to sharpen critical thinking and problem solving skills by encouraging students to translate theory and classroom learning into practice. Students are able to participate in excursions to Sleeping Rainbow Ranch in Capitol Reef National Park, a Held station which is unique not only within in the Utah System of Higher Education but also within higher education as a whole. Sleeping Rainbow Ranch is an ideal place to study the overlay of humamancestral Puebloan and European<and natural history. Environmental Studies graduates have many educational and career opportunities. Environmental Studies is excellent preparation for graduate and professional school, such as law school, business school, post-secondary school in government. Environmental Studies is also good for landing jobs dealing with environmental policy. Hundreds of thousands of environmental professionals work for local, state, and federal government agencies. Tens of thousands of jobs become available annually in both the public and private sectors in such areas as land-use planning and zoning, agriculture, parks and recreation, water resource management, public health, community and economic development, energy de- 2007 Seven Peaks Seaso Pass!* velopment, consulting, scientific, sociological and anthropological research, marketing, environmental non-governmental agencies (NGOs), humanitarian organizations, fisheries management, and many other areas. Environmental Studies graduates work for public agencies such as the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Environmental Protection Agency, and many private firms. The UVSC Environmental Studies Program has received high praise from outside consultants across the country for its faculty and curriculum. It includes instructors and courses from across campus, including biology, philosophy, history, geology, geography, literature, anthropology, environmental technology, economics, communication, psychology, and sociology. For more information, visit www.environmentalstudies.cc, e-mail environmental. studies@uvsc.edu, or call me at 863-6363. Grand Opening September 6tb Private Room, Fall/Spring Shared Room, Fall/Spring Private Room, 12 mos. Shared Room, 12 mos. 12 Month Full Unit Contract $295 $225 $245 $183 $599 Married housing available! 1219 S. 580 W. •> Orem, UT 84058 801.224.1070 remingtonplaceutah. com "Ffcc Severs PpaVs Senwi P.iii «/ p-.irctoT-c of Vl Monti conUiKt ?£?. Here's an exam your parents may even be hoping you flunk. It's your annual eye exam. Go ahead. Fail it. 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