Sustainability courses
Sustainability courses at the University of Washington explore environmental, economic, and/or social aspects of sustainability, addressing the ability for society to innovatively utilize, develop, and protect natural resources and ecosystems in a way that meets the current and future generations' needs. Sustainability focused courses examine one or more topics with regards to all three dimensions (environmental, economic, and social) of sustainability in depth, or analyze a broad range of topics using a sustainability lens. Whereas, sustainability inclusive courses examine one or more topics with regards to at least one dimension of sustainability, or sustainability or the environment is a discrete element of the course description, but not necessarily the main focus.
The following highlighted sustainability courses offered at UW Seattle provide an introduction to courses that are focused on and related to the environment or sustainability.
To find more classes, see our full list of sustainability courses at UW.
Attaining a Sustainable Society
Building a sustainable future depends on restructuring the global economy, major shifts in human
 reproductive behavior, and dramatic changes in values and lifestyles.
Climate and Climate Change
An introductory course for nonscience majors on climate and climate change. The class will be divided in three parts:
Climate, Justice, and Energy Solutions (ATM S 100)
Presents visions of the future when the climate crisis is solved and describes paths towards reaching these goals.
EarthGames Studio
Students work in teams to create their own video games or interactive digital experience relating to climate change or other pressing environmental issues.
Energy and Environment
Discusses diverse environmental issues around energy sources and uses and the importance of evaluating environmental challenges.
Environmental Innovation Practicum
Students develop innovative solutions to real-world environmental problems.
Environmental Norms in International Politics
Explores development of international environmental consciousness from 1960s to present.
Health and Sustainability
Focuses on the intersection of human health and environmental sustainability and emphasizes a systems thinking approach to formulating solutions.
Introduction to Environmental Economics
Introduces environmental and natural resource economics.
Introduction to Environmental Health
Introduction to environmental health concepts.
Law, Justice, and the Environment
Examines the role law plays in shaping environmental policy.
Literature and Discourse on the Environment
Pays attention to verbal expression; forms and genres; and historical, cultural, and conceptual contexts of the natural environment.
Principles of Sustainability
Overview of principles of sustainability, including discussion of current literature and presentations by practitioners, and methods for balancing social, economic, and ecological consequences of policies and actions.
Risk and Reward in Sustainable Development
Focuses on the intersecton of green, high preforming buildings and the law.
Society and Sustainable Environments
Introduces the application of social concepts and theories to understanding and managing urban, urbanizing, and wildland landscapes in a sustainable manner.
Sustainability Studio
Exploration of definitions and critical concepts of sustainability and analysis of sustainability practices on the UW campus.
Sustainability, Resilience, and Society
Introduction to concepts of sustainability and resilience and their relevance to environment and society in the current Anthropocene era
Sustainability: Personal Choices, Broad Impacts
An introduction to the frameworks and approaches to sustainability through exploration of the three pillars of sustainability.