NOTE: The EVHM degree program will be phased out beginning in Fall 2013. As of February 19, 2013 the major will no longer be accepting new students. Prospective majors should contact Thomas Reynolds about similar major options or about the EVHM minor, which will continue to be available.
Recently, the EVHM degree added three distinct tracks. Click on each for more information.
The Course Work
The Environment and the Humanities degree takes a three-part approach to the study of the natural world: the "foundation" intellectual disciplines, creative arts, and EVHM courses in which these are combined in a truly interdisciplinary manner.
The Foundation (48 hours)
EVHM focuses on the following major fields of study:
Science (15 to 21 hours)
Literature (12 hours)
Philosophy (9 hours)
Humanities (6 hours)
Communication and Interpretation (12 hours)
EVHM majors are required to take an additional 12 hours of coursework in English, journalism, or the visual arts, designed to give them a strong background in the following:
Creative Writing
Photography
Illustration
Journalism
The EVHM Interdisciplinary Courses (27 hours)
Students also take 27 hours of EVHM-specific courses that study the interrelationship between science, literature, philosophy, and art, often through a mix of content and practical skills. Here are some sample EVHM courses that demonstrate how this is done:
EVHM 1302 "Introductory Fieldcraft"
Interdisciplinary content: regional ecology/history/illustration
Practical skills: students learn to identify regional plants and animals and hone field-based observational skills by keeping a traditional naturalist's notebook; service learning project involving a local environmental concern (example: restoring habitat for the Lesser Prairie Chicken)
EVHM 3305 "Ecology"
Interdisciplinary Content: the science behind major environmental issues/ethics
Practical skills: students learn to interpret science for the general public through content-specific projects. These may include a variety of media approaches, such as writing, film, or photography (example: a published article in The Encyclopedia of the Earth)
EVHM 3350 “Advanced Fieldcraft”
Interdisciplinary Content: ecology/culture of the southwest United States
Practical skills: students learn to interpret science for the general public through content-specific projects. These may include a variety of media approaches, such as writing, film, or photography (example: a "re-photography" service project with the National Park Service to document changes in the Rio Grande riparian zone over a period of several years)
Core Curriculum and Electives (33 hours minimum)
Finally, students will take as many Core Curriculum and elective courses as needed to reach a minimum of 120 hours in order to complete their degrees. The number of hours needed for completion will vary, as many of the Core requirements can be met through EVHM, Creative Option, or Foundation courses.