Students who wish to learn about the environment from the perspective of the social sciences and humanities may choose a major or combined major in environmental studies. This field of study is rooted in the liberal arts tradition of diversity and critical thought and requires coursework in the politics, anthropology, sociology and psychology of the environment as well environmental economics. In addition to a hands-on natural science, students may choose to study ecological history, religion and the environment and/or the application of philosophical ethics to the natural world.