Sustainability Courses

Huxley College Courses

385 ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIOLOGY (5) Prereq: any Soc 221, 251, 255, 260, 268, 269. Uses sociological concepts to analyze human-bio/physical environment interactions. Topics are environmental sustainability, population and limits to growth, the environmental movement, public opinions, environment and third world development, food production and agricultural technology, natural resource dependent communities, forestry and fishing, alternative environmental practices and the energy crisis.

415 PLANNING FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES (4) Prereq: admission to the Sustainable Design minor or Huxley College or permission of instructor. Synthesis and application of principles, practices and policies in sustainable development and the design of projects, processes, and products using a systems approach to promote social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Students apply sustainable design techniques to local, regional and international community problems.

471CAMPUS PLANNING STUDIO (2) Prereq: Estu 369 or 304 or equivalent or permission of instructor. Introduction to campus planning as applied to the WWU campus community. Planning requirements under the Growth Management Act and approaches to coordinating planning with the surrounding community. Selected research topics relative to Western’s master planning process. A studio course emphasizing the application of sustainability principles in campus planning, development and operations.

486 COMMUNITY-BASED ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (5) Prereq: environmental studies or environmental science major, with completion of environmental studies core course; must be within 3 quarters of graduation. Theory, research and practice of working in an inclusive community context to define, study, and facilitate social-environmental change. Study of participatory techniques and systematic approaches to behavior analysis and change. Requires working in an interdisciplinary group to examine problems and education-based contributions to solutions.

475 NATIVE AMERICAN PLANNING AN D NATURAL RESOURCES POLICY (3) Prereq: Estu 303 and 304 or permission of instructor.
Survey of political and jurisdictional considerations, treaty rights, and social and environmental conditions facing tribal communities in their pursuit of self-governance and sustainability. Historic federal Indian policy, court rulings and the consideration of off-reservation treaty rights in regional planning. Approaches to intergovernmental cooperation for sustainable natural resources management.

Economics Courses

101 THE U.S. ECONOMY AND GLOBALIZATION ( 4)
An introduction to the U.S. economy and its role in the world economy. Analysis of current economic controversies at home and abroad. Issues may include overall economic performance, problems of hunger and poverty, and the issues of economic insecurity, inequality, and sustainability. Examines the emergence of globalization and regionalism, and their implications for workers and the environment.

383 ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS (4) Prereq: Econ 206. Explores the economic basis of environmental issues and policies. An examination of property rights, externalities and the common property basis of environmental problems. Alternative policies are analyzed, involving such issues as air and water pollution, solid-waste disposal, hazardous substances, wilderness preservation and the protection of endangered species.

384 ENERGY ECONOMICS (4) Prereq: Econ 206. The role of energy in the economy and key aspects of energy supply and demand. Topics include the interrelationships among energy use, economic growth, and the environment; conservation; solar and "unconventional" energy sources; world oil markets; regulation of gas and electric utilities; and U.S. energy policy.

343 POPULATION, ENVIRONMENT, AND WORLD AGRICULTURE (4) Prereq: Econ 206. Utilizes economic principles to understand the interactions among population growth, food demand, agricultural development, and natural resource utilization, degradation, and conservation.

482 ADVANCED TOPICS IN ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS (4) Prereq: ECON 383 or equivalent. Examines an extended set of applications in environmental economics, with a focus on deepening the student's understanding of the field. Applications involve current controversies in environmental policy and management, as well as the methodological issues. Topics include climate change, solid waste management and recycling, water quality, and other issues of current interest.

483 RESOURCE ECONOMICS (4) Prereq: Econ 306 or 309. Principles of efficient resource allocation over time, distributional equity and cost/benefit analysis. Examines minerals and other exhaustible resources; forests, fisheries and other renewable resources; and public goods such as water and wilderness.

493 SENIOR SEMINAR: ECONOMICS, THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES (4) Prereq: senior status in economics/environmental studies combined major. Discussion and analysis of selected issues in the economics of the environment and natural resources. Also offered as ESTU 493.

Accounting Courses

484 ENVIRONMENTAL ACCOUNTING (4) Pre- or co-req: Acct 331 , 343 , 375. An in-depth analysis of accounting for the natural environment. Readings, discussion and case analyses cover current issues, such as financial reporting and disclosure, management decision making and evaluation techniques, taxation and the profession's role in environmental issues.

Fairhaven College Courses

231n INTRODUCTION TO APPLIED HUMAN ECOLOGY: SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS (3 ea)Study of relationships between human systems and the environment with an emphasis on the principle of sustainability. Study of models of sustainable development and appropriate technology complement practical applications in the Outback Farm/Wetland/Outdoor Learning Center. Student participation in instruction. Repeatable to 9 credits. Political Science Courses

436 MANAGING ENVIRONMENTA L COMMONS (4) Prereq: PLSC 271 or 291 or 372. Explores how political, economic and social institutions affect the management and sustainability of shared environments, both local and global.

Geography Courses

324 EAST ASIA (3) Prereq: EGeo 201 or EAST 201 or EAST 202 or permission of instructor. Survey of physical environment, sustainability, peoples, regions and resources of East Asia; problems and prospects.

328 CANADA (3) Prereq: EGeo 201 or C/AM 200 permission of instructor.
Characteristics and distribution of population, economic activities, various aspects of the physical environment, sustainability and the resource base are examined and analyzed to provide an understanding and appreciation of Canada.

421 BORDERLANDS (3) Prereq: EGeo 320, 327 or 328 or C/AM 200; or permission of instructor. Investigation of issues associated with the growing importance of the United States' border regions, especially our northern border; selected transborder environmental, sustainability, economic and urban topics.

423 PACIFIC RIM (3) Prereq: EGeo 32 0 or 324 or 32 7 or 32 8, or permission of instructor. Investigation of issues associated with the growing importance of the Pacific Rim nations; selected environmental, sustainability, economic, urban and cultural topics.