People, Equity, and the Environment Specialization
The purpose of this specialization is to give today's professional environmental managers a range of theoretical, conceptual, and methodological skills necessary for understanding how to critique, improve and implement models of environmental management that address historically engrained challenges.
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For the reasons above, this specialization expands beyond ahistorical and technical training by focusing students on historical processes, power dynamics and changing societal values. We believe that any solution to global environmental problems must consider issues of social equity and human well-being, in addition to environmental sustainability.
Note that a capstone course used to fulfill the MEM capstone requirement cannot also be used toward fulfilling an MEM Specialization requirement; a capstone course taken once cannot be used to fulfill multiple requirements. Learn more about YSE capstone courses by visiting the MEM Capstone page.
People, Equity, and the Environment
Core
Two core courses required. Choose one course from Group A and one course from Group B.
Those students who matriculated to the program prior to Fall 2021 may follow the requirement for their entering class of 2 required core courses: ENV 826 & ENV 759.Elective
Students must take at least 1 course from each of the three bins below (Social Science, Humanities, Ecological). The 4th elective course must be from either the “Social Science Perspectives” bin or the “Humanities: History, Religion, and Ethics” bin.Social Science Perspectives
Course NameFall 2026Spring 2027Fall 2027Spring 2028ENV 621
Exploring Climate Solutions Through Science and FictionENV 640
Ethical Consumption: Promoting Workers’ Rights, Fair Prices, and SustainabilityENV 727
Food and Agriculture: Environmental and Health Challenges & SolutionsENV 740
Understanding Environmental Philanthropy: Funding, Financing, and Grant WritingHumanities: History, Religion and Ethics
Course NameFall 2026Spring 2027Fall 2027Spring 2028Ecological and Conservation Science
Course NameFall 2026Spring 2027Fall 2027Spring 2028ENV 626
Writing for Publication in the Natural SciencesENV 659
The Practice of Silviculture: Principles in Applied Forest Ecology (Friday field trips)ENV 686
Synthesizing Science for Policy and PracticeENV 696
YFF:Tribal Forestry:
Learning Community
There is a corresponding “Learning Community” for each specialization, where anyone interested in the topic can find related news, spotlights, colleagues, and events.
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