Areas of Study
The Department of Geography, Sustainability, Community, and Urban Studies works to address questions related to sustainability, resilience, health, and social inequities under the converging impacts of climate change and global urbanization.
Department Areas
Founded in 2024, the Department brings together geography and urban and community studies and also provides an administrative home for the cross-college Environmental Studies Program.
Geography
The geography area focuses on addressing social, environmental, and economic challenges of the 21st century. From health and water to sustainable food systems and resilience to hazards, our research and teaching is inspired by and serves communities, both locally and abroad.
Urban and Community Studies
The urban and community studies area works to improve urban and community life for all people. With courses in urban studies, economics, geography, history, political science, and sociology, our faculty prepare students with the knowledge and tools they need to help build a sustainable world.
Environmental Studies
Environmental studies is an interdisciplinary, multi-departmental program that explores the ethical and cultural dimensions of human relationships with their environments. We dive into environmental sustainability, issues concerning public policy, environmental justice, and food systems, and the literary and philosophical legacy of human encounters with the non-human world.