The Environmental Humanities Minor explores critical issues like sea level rise, environmental justice, and species extinction through a change to humanities lens or perspective lens. By taking diverse courses across Film, Environmental Studies, English, Geography, Anthropology, and Art History, you will examine how culture intersects with ecological concerns. This interdepartmental minor connects you with faculty from varied fields, all working to better understand the complex relationships between humans, nonhumans, and their environments.
Environmental Humanities Minor Requirements
Review the minor requirements, explore the official website and download the Environmental Humanities Minor Sheet.
One course from the following (4-5 units):
- English 22: Introduction to Literature and the Environment (satisfies GE Area G or E, and European Traditions)
- English 23: The Climate Crisis (satisfies GE Area G or E)
- Environmental Studies 3: Introduction to the Social and Cultural Environment (satisfies GE Area E and Writing)
- Environmental Studies 70: Introduction to Environmental Ethics
20 UD units from the following, taken from at least three different departments, and at least three courses taken from Area A:
A. Humanities Department Courses
- Art History 109C, 109L, 136I, 136J, 136O, 142D
- East Asian Cultural Studies 103B, 128, 141, 179
- English 122AP-CS-NE-WE, 139AA-ZZ, 141 AA-ZZ, 142AA-ZZ, 143AA-ZZ, 162, 165EM*, 192AA-ZZ*, 197*
- Film and Media Studies 166GG, 187CN, 187OC
- History 117E, 173T, 193F
- Religious Studies 103, 156EE
- Writing 105S, 105SW, 107EP
B. Social Sciences and Mathematical, Life, and Physical Science Department Courses
- Anthropology 111, 115, 147, 148
- Chicana/o Studies 191J
- Environmental Studies 103, 108W, 109, 129, 146, 160, 181, 183, 184, 188, 193TK
- Geography 108, 130, 141A, 161
- Sociology 105E, 118CW, 126
*Courses may be applicable by petition depending on instructor and content. Contact Env. Humanities advisor for details.
Winter 2027 Approved Courses for Environmental Humanities
Registration Considerations:
- See EH Minor Sheet for more details including restrictions on courses.
- Review individual course descriptions in the UCSB General Catalog for prerequisites needed to enroll.
- The " * " Indicates course approved for this term only; additions and changes may or may not be made to future minor sheets, however, courses taken during the quarter listed below will count toward the minor requirements.
- PDF version of Approved Course List
- ENGL 23 THE CLIMATE CRISIS
- ENVS 3 INTRO SOC & CULT ENV
- GEOG 5 PEOPLE, PLACE, ENVIRON
FROM AREA A (3 UD Courses minimum required for the minor from Humanities Division):
- WRIT 105S WRIT SUSTAINABILITY
- WRIT 105SW SCI WRIT FOR PUBLIC
- *CLASS 178 ENVIRON INTERACTIONS IN ANCIENT WORLD
- *ENGL 155AI CRITICAL AI
FROM AREA B (2 UD Courses maximum from the Social Sciences and MLPS Divisions):
- ENVS 184 GENDER & ENV
- GEOG 130 URBAN ENVIRONMENT
- GEOG 141A POPULATION GEOG
- SOC 105E ENVIRON SOC
- SOC 118CW CONSUMPTION & WASTE
- SOC 126 URBAN SOCIETY
- *ANTH 197ER SENSORY ECOLOGIES
- *BL ST 154 ENV, RACE & JUSTICE
- *ENV S 108O HIST OF OCEANS
- *ENV S 193RE RELIGION & ECOLOGY
- *GEOG 119 CLIMATIC CHANGE
Don't just watch the world change- reshape the story.
Email us your questions, request additional information, or declare the Environmental Humanities Minor.
envhumanities@ucsb.edu