How can understanding the human mind contribute to protecting the planet? Open to students of all majors, this interdisciplinary course explores how psychological principles can be applied to global environmental challenges. Explore the intersection of human behavior and ecological principles of interconnectedness, the impact of minor actions, circular life systems, growth limits, and how diversity fuels resilience. Learn how psychological innovations and action research approaches can promote environmental justice. Through a hopeful lens, this course encourages a shift from despair to actionable solutions, equipping students with tools to foster a sustainable future for all. This course may not be used to satisfy requirements for the major or minor in Psychology. Open only to first-and second-year students. Not open for credit to students who have received credit for PSYC 100, PSYC 101, or for a 100-level psychology course taken at another university.
In this special topics class, we will review psychological theory and research on resilience, which is the process of harnessing personal assets and external resources to overcome trauma. There is growing evidence showing that building your resilience portfolio (your total range of psychosocial assets and resources across meaning making, regulatory, and interpersonal domains) can help people counter even large dosages of exposure to violence and other trauma. Easily accessible tools, such as mindfulness, photovoice, and shinrin yoku (“forest bathing” or spending time in natural environments), build resilience portfolios and minimize the aftereffects of trauma. Easily implemented environmental interventions can also strengthen our services and support providers. This course will go over ways that people can integrate these tools into their lives and shared work and school spaces. The course will incorporate experiential exercises in mindfulness, photovoice, walk audits, and other activities.