2015 Conference

Discussion Symposium

Environmental Studies engages the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences to investigate and improve the relationship between humans and their biophysical surroundings. Earth System Science integrates physics, chemistry, biology and geology to understand processes and environments on Earth.  While the disciplines that underlie both Environmental Studies and Earth System Science are well established, both of these broader, boundary-crossing fields are in a newer formational stage and must identify a meaningful scholarly trajectory to make disciplinary progress, while also adequately addressing very urgent, ‘wicked,’ real-world issues.  We posit that systems and complexity theories play a vital role in this endeavor throughout the disciplines.   Specifically, our panel will focus on:  1) How has Earth System Science used systems theory both as an analytical tool and as a framework? How has Environmental Studies used systems and complexity theories as analytical tools and frameworks? Might systems and complexity frameworks contribute to conceptualizing how Environmental Studies and Earth System Science curricula interrelate?  2) What conceptual frameworks can help our students address crucial cross-boundary issues that require both science-based Earth System Science and broad Environmental Studies disciplines – issues such as climate change, energy systems, pollution, and resource management -- in a creative, scholarly, and adequate manner?   3) Can the current work opportunities and grant funding opportunities that face our graduates in Environmental Studies inform our curricular design to provide theoretical constructs and analytical skills needed to best prepare them, both for feasible careers, and for cogent contributions to real world environmental solutions?