Something I’ve noticed while working at iSEE is the amazing wealth of opportunities to get involved with sustainability on campus — whether that’s joining a club, volunteering, or incorporating sustainability into my daily life. Now that Spring 2019 course registration (and the stress of filling electives!) is in full swing, I’ve decided to give you another way to be involved with sustainability: taking classes.
This article lists some courses that are worth considering — including recommendations we’ve received from students via Instagram! While most of these will be offered for Spring 2020, I added few that will only be offered in the fall because of their uniqueness.
1. Environmental Psychology — PSYC 472 / NRES 472
Prerequisites: Psych 100 or Psych 103
Environmental Psychology is not offered in Spring 2020, but the class is important to mention because it combines two subjects one might not think go together. This class focuses on the theory and research of environmental perception, cognition, experience, values and emotion, perceived environmental quality, environmental hazards and risk perception, and conservation attitudes and behavior.
2. Imagining the End Times: Science, Fiction, and Climate Change — ENGL 475
Prerequisites: One year of college literature or consent of instructor
One of the advantages of this class is that it is offered to both graduate and undergraduate students. When you first click on the class, it will say “Literature and Other Disciplines,” but once you click that link the class will show up. This course is about how climate change affects humans and nonhumans through analysis of literature in conjunction with science.
3. Environmental Economics — NRES 210 / ACE 210 / ECON 210 / UP 210
Prerequisites: N/A
The basis for this class is discussing environmental issues and how they influences economics and economic policy — and vice versa. This class discusses economics in the U.S. as well as internationally.
4. U.S. Environment, Justice & Policy — NRES 424
Prerequisites: Junior standing
Unfortunately, this is another course that will not be offered in the Spring but is well worth considering in future semesters. The goal of this class is to understand, identify, and write about the impact of justice and policy on human-environment relationships. Topics covered in this class include race, class, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and environmental policy.
5. Climate Action Planning — UP 494-SK
Prerequisites: Senior standing
Last but not least is this Urban Planning class. This class specifically focuses on addressing climate change; thus, a huge part of this class is a group project and presentation. Along with homework, lectures and quizzes, this hands-on approach will teach students to understand, evaluate, develop and design based on conserving resources for the environment.
