Ecological and Social Sustainability

Quarters
Winter Open
Location
Olympia
Class Standing
Graduate
Shangrila Joshi
Erin Martin

The second program in the MES core sequence examines sustainability at theoretical and practical levels. We will examine how sustainability is understood from multiple perspectives, emphasizing systems thinking and complexity theory at regional, national, and global scales. Students will develop a foundation in climate science, development theory, and energy policy to help them assess current strategies of climate mitigation and adaptation. Seminars, lectures, and workshops will help students refine their critical thinking, writing, discussion, and presentation skills. By the end of the quarter, each student will produce a professional quality research paper (individual candidacy paper) and presentation based on current scholarship. 

Hi-Flex Class Format: This course is offered in a “Hi-Flex” format. Students can attend fully in-person, fully online, or a mix of both. Each class will be offered in-person but will also include a zoom link for remote attendees. We will do our best to provide comparable experiences for both in-person and remote students. Remote students can expect to engage with one another through breakout rooms, online discussion boards and other collaborative online methods. 

Class Schedule: Tuesday and Thursday nights, 6pm-10pm.

Registration

Academic Details

8
36
Graduate

Schedule

Winter
2026
Open
Hybrid (W)

See definition of Hybrid, Remote, and In-Person instruction

Evening
Schedule Details
Olympia