Topics in Sustainability and Environment: Environmental Planning

Course Description

Seminar addressing interdisciplinary topics in sustainability and environment. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor; Notes: May be repeated when the topic varies for up to 9 credits in the major.

Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

  • Understand the key elements of environmental planning and policy on selected topics.
  • Critically explore the legal and regulatory framework governing environmental planning and policy.
  • Apply systems thinking and interdisciplinary perspectives on environmental planning.
  • Apply analytical, spatial, and other tools for analyzing environmental planning and policy issues.
  • Develop foundational knowledge and skills about community-engaged research with a focus on selected local environmental issues.

Course Grading Information:

Activities and Assignments

Activity/Performance Measure Percentage/Points
Exams 40%
Capstone project 30%
Assignments (pop quizzes, in-class activities, writing assignments) 30%

Grading Scale

Percentage Letter Grade
≥ 93.0%A
90.0-92.9%A-
87.0-89.9%B+
83.0-86.9%B
80.0-82.9%B-
77.0-79.9%C+
73.0-76.9%C
70.0-72.9%C-
60.0-69.9%D
<60.0%F

Attendance/Participation:

Attendance/participation is not a graded component included in the student's final grade for this course.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

  • Randolph, J. (2012). Environmental Land Use Planning and Management. Island Press, Washington.
  • Salzman, J., Thompson, B. (Eds.) (2019). Environmental Law and Policy. 5th edition. Foundation Press.

Scholarly Perspectives

This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.