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Sustainability & Ecological Regeneration

In these courses, students learn to live in an ecologically just and regenerative relationship with the living earth. They learn to embed principles and practices of sustainability into every aspect of their lives to address local and global environmental crises, to build flourishing communities, and to help foster life-sustaining societies. These courses emphasize critical thinking, writing, and oral presentation skills.

COR-222 Sustainability Seminar (3)

The Core Sustainability Seminar invites students to apply their vision and creativity toward a flourishing future and away from crisis. This course introduces students to principles, perspectives, and practices of regenerative community, resilience and sustainability, and analyzes current environmental, economic, and social trends. With the aim of developing skills and lasting commitment to create vibrant and equitable systems, the course draws upon sustainability studies, contemplative education, ecological thinking, citizen engagement, and other innovative approaches.

EDU-300 Nature and Education (3)

This course contributes to broadening and deepening student understanding of the relationship between nature and education. The scope, scale, trends, and implications of nature and education in classroom practices, pedagogy, and curriculum are theoretically and experientially examined and practiced. This course will research topics such as: How contact with natural settings, animals, and other natural objects or phenomena influence the development, identity, and well-being of children; how nature experiences can positively impact children’s social, emotional, and behavioral functioning; and developmentally appropriate ways to address environmental interests or concerns with children. The course work will draw attention to various forms of biology, botany, diversity, socioeconomic class, and culture as they relate to the social construction of, and access to, nature. Cross-listed as EDU552.

ENV-100 Earth Systems, Cosmology, and Gaia Theory (3)

Deepening the natural understanding of the Earth as a living system, this course explores Gaia Theory and how the cosmology of the Earth is emerging in science. Within this framework, students explore the formation of the Earth (including geomorphology and geophysiology), and the systematic influences on the vitality of the planet. This aids the vision in Western science that is reawakening and understanding the role of humans in the reciprocal regeneration of the Earth.

ENV-207/207E History of the Environmental Movement (3)

An examination of the history of the environmental movement from a U.S. and global perspective. Fundamental elements that inform and shape environmental movements around the world, and the impact on people and their responses, are studied. Required for ENV majors.

ENV-215 Sustainability (3)

An introduction to the definitions and principles of sustainability, this course explores models and dimensions of sustainability in both the natural world and in human societies. Current examples of sustainable design and development in different parts of the world are offered to inspire students to think sustainably and to be alert to it in every aspect of their learning. Personal impact on the environment and personal sustainability are examined as aspects of developing a sustainable vision for the present and the future. Required for ENV majors.

ENV-245/245E Geography: Pilgrimage and Sacred Landscape (3)

Religious and cultural worldviews play a significant role in shaping our understanding of, and impact on, the earth. Students explore the world through the lens of pilgrimage and sacred landscape. Geography is a discipline of storytelling of the earth. Thus, we engage in listening, reading, writing, and telling stories to recall and awaken our connection with the earth.

ENV-253/253E Solidarity Economics (3)

Democracy, cooperation, environmental sustainability, and social and racial justice are core principles of solidarity economy projects across the world. Tools of conventional and alternative economic analysis are gained, as well as the cultivation of visions of a more just, verdant and peaceful world. Innovative research on solidarity economy projects like cooperative enterprises, community financing, food sovereignty, and many more, provide insight into our visions of collective prosperity for all people and the planet.

ENV-257/257E Food Justice (3)

An introduction to the food justice movement, this course examines it from the local, national, and international levels. Topics include food policy, grassroots movements and action, food production and food access as they relate to the systems of privilege and oppression that shape them. Equally, this course explores the actions of various communities working towards empowerment and liberation. Students engage with relevant theory, hands-on service-learning site visits, as well as contact with professionals, activists, and impacted communities in the food justice movement. Prerequisite: COR150

ENV-260 Introduction to Permaculture (3)

This course introduces a core set of principles that help us to design human living environments that are increasingly self-sufficient, while reducing our society’s reliance on industrial systems of production and distribution that are fundamentally damaging to the planet’s ecosystems. This design system, known as permaculture, covers basic agro-ecological design theory. We explore this in a hands-on way while creating edible landscapes, diverse gardens, and compost systems, and growing food on campus. This course also includes field trips and demonstrations. Required for ENV majors.

ENV-318/318E Deep Ecology (3)

This course serves as an exploration of the philosophical dimensions of the human/nature relationship. While deep ecology serves as the primary framework for this exploration, other approaches, such as ecofeminism and social ecology, are considered. Deep ecology alternatives for addressing ethical and ecological problems are examined, along with options for effective and compassionate action. Prerequisite: COR115. Required for ENV majors.

ENV-355/355E Environmental Justice (3)

An examination of contemporary issues of environmental justice and racism in the United States and throughout the world. The environmental justice movement is based on social justice and multicultural issues. Prerequisite: COR150 or COR113. Required for ENV majors.

ENV-363/363E Indigenous Environmental Issues (3)

An exploration of the historical relationship between indigenous peoples and their environment in each of the ecosystems under consideration; change in the relationship as a result of European contact; modernization and development; and the current integration of these areas into the present global market economy.

ENV-370/370E Environmental Philosophy and Ecopsychology (3)

This course serves as an exploration of the philosophical and psychological dimensions of the human/nature relationship. Deep ecology serves as the primary philosophical framework for this exploration, but other approaches, such as ecofeminism, social ecology, and cutting-edge theories are considered. On the one hand, deep ecology alternatives for addressing ethical and ecological problems are examined, along with options for effective and compassionate action. On the other, a basic tenet of ecopsychology is that personal and planetary well-being are inseparable, so that it’ theory and practice are directed toward enhancing the health of the human/nature relationship in order to understand, heal, and develop the psychological dimensions of the human/nature relationship through connecting with natural processes in the web of life. Required for ENV majors

ENV-411/411E Science for Sustainability (3)

Students will explore the science fundamentals of sustainability via the principles of ecology, climate science and systems thinking especially as they relate to human and other-than-human systems. Through lectures, case studies, and hands-on activities, students will explore the major concepts of Earth as a living system, along with the science behind successful sustainability research, trends and practices. Students will investigate how modern challenges stem from particular worldviews. By the end of the course, students will be able to discern, analyze, and explain the critical components of sustainability science, research, methods and practices, and examine their efficacy. This course will also provide students the opportunity to develop a self-directed research or action project that integrates the key learning strands in the major. The goal of this course is to equip students with the tools and resources needed to assess, encourage and implement sustainability initiatives within their communities and beyond. Required for ENV majors

WRI-380 Writing Workshop: Eco-Poetics (3)

“Eco” means “house.” Our larger house has come to be the whole global ecology, in detail. Students study and write poetry and prose, and conduct unclassifiable experiments and collaborations that tend to direct attention to surroundings, especially “nature.” Course includes a wide range of authors, from Thoreau to Annie Dillard, Orpingalik the Intuit songster to Rachel Carson and Stephen Jay Gould, and Mba Shole to Gary Snyder. We try to discover and invent new ways of representing nature’s rich variety in language. Prerequisite: COR110. Co-requisite: WRI210.

Contemplative Inquiry & Practice

Social Justice & Antiracism

Sustainability & Ecological Regeneration

Artistic Expressions & Creative Practice

Leadership & Service

Research & Communication

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Interested in Sustainability & Ecological Regeneration?

Read our blog or listen to our podcast!

Magazine

Sustainability & Ecological Regeneration

Interested in Sustainability & Ecological Regeneration?

Read our blog or listen to our podcast!

The Legacy of Joanna Macy

Episode 77. Miki Fire on Nature-Based Transpersonal Counseling

Episode 83. Travis Cox: Ecopsychology and Psychedelics

Sustainability & Ecological Regeneration

Interested in Sustainability & Ecological Regeneration?

Read our blog or listen to our podcast!

The Legacy of Joanna Macy

Episode 77. Miki Fire on Nature-Based Transpersonal Counseling

Episode 83. Travis Cox: Ecopsychology and Psychedelics

YOU ARE READY.

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