University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
EN-12: Continuing Education

Sustainability (SUS) 101-7101 ● Principles of Sustainability
Professor Robert Golder ● Third 5-Week Session, Online
3 credits. This course provides an introduction to the fundamental principles of sustainability. We will examine what it means to live and work “sustainably” from the local to the global level, and we will approach these issues from a wide variety of perspectives. Prerequisite: None. University Studies: 4A or 4C. CAS: Social Science.


Marine Science (MAR) 115-7101 ● Introduction to Climate Sciences
Professor Miles Sundermeyer ● Online
3 credits. As part of this course, students will explore a variety of topics, including the effects of acid rain, the greenhouse effect as related to carbon footprint (e.g., the amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds emitted due to the consumption of fossil fuels based on human activity), how warmer air and surface temperatures (brought on by climate change) impact corals and alter coral reef environments, and how global sea level rise might affect our coastal megacities. Prerequisites: None. University Studies: 2B. CAS: Natural Science. SUS: Natural Sciences.

Sustainability (SUS) 350-7101 ● Food, Feast & Famine
Professor Kathryn Caldera ● Second 5-Week Session, Online
3 credits. Throughout human evolution, knowledge about food gathering, food production, and food choices have been an inherent part of individual and cultural sustainability. Food has always mediated cultural, political, and economic transactions. Paradoxically, while food production has increased dramatically in the last decades, the common citizen is largely ignorant about food systems. Furthermore, food insecurity remains a reality in both the industrialized and non-industrialized worlds. This course addresses these paradoxes as well as the role of food in both sustaining and undermining social and cultural identities. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. CAS: Social Science. SUS: Economy, Society & Policy.



Economics (ECO) 337-7101 ● Environmental Economics
Professor Sarah Cosgrove ● First 5-Week Session, Online
3 credits. This course will study the fascinating and growing field of environmental and natural resource economics. All the topics covered (e.g., property rights and externalities, regulation and pollution control) will be examined as part of the general focus on the problem of economic growth in the presence of limited environmental and natural resources. We will employ the tools from `basic' microeconomic theory to study the relationship between the economy and the natural environment. Prerequisite: ECO 231. CAS: Social Science. SUS: Economy, Society & Policy.



Political Science 315-7101 ● Public Policy in America
Professor Shannon Jenkins ● Second 5-Week Session, Online
3 credits. Analysis of the policy-making processes, including agenda setting, adoption, implementation, and evaluation. These processes will be examined through the lens of major US policy areas such as education, the environment, and crime and justice policy. Prerequisite: PSC 101 or junior standing. CAS: Social Science. SUS: Economy, Society & Policy.



Political Science 347-7101 ● Environmental Law
Professor Chad McGuire ● Maymester, Online
3 credits. Introduction to the concepts surrounding environmental law. Students explore the reasons, development, and implementation of environmental laws. Areas of focus include the following: using the law to consider environmental impacts before taking action; using the law to protect water and air quality; the law of land use; and global applications of legal frameworks to deal with large scale environmental problems like climate change. Prerequisite: Junior standing. CAS: Social Science. SUS: Economy, Society & Policy.



Economics (ECO) 360-7101 ● Cost-Benefit Analysis
Professor Devon Lynch ● Online
3 credits. Market failures are widespread in societies, resulting in the non-provision of some goods and services deemed desirable to society. Additionally, firms often fail to take into account the negative effects of their actions on the society as a whole. In these situations, government intervention is deemed necessary. Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) is a tool used by government agencies to determine the effectiveness of public works projects. CBA is the application of economic, financial and quantitative reasoning tools to issues of resource allocation in public policy. It identifies, quantifies, and aggregates the positive and negative effects (the benefits and costs) associated with a public policy decision. The course will cover applications of CBA to crime, health care, education, transportation, the environment, and other public policies. Prerequisite: ECO 231 or permission of instructor. CAS: Social Science. SUS: Economy, Society & Policy.


Political Science (PSC) 311-7101 ● State Politics (may be contracted for SUS credit)
Professor Shannon Jenkins ● MWF 1:00-1:50
3 credits. An exploration of politics, government, and policy in the American states. The course is a comparative analysis of the 50 states, with a focus on how variations in political arrangements across the states can help us understand difference in policies. Prerequisite: PSC 101 or junior standing. CAS: Social Science. SUS: Economy, Society & Policy.

Political Science (PSC) 342-7101 ● Public Administration (may be contracted for SUS credit)
Professor John Fobanjong ● Online
3 credits. Examination of the general nature of the bureaucracy in public and private organization and in various cultural contexts. Attention is given to administrative responsibility. Prerequisite: None. CAS: Social Science. SUS: Economy, Society & Policy.

The Online Environmental Policy Graduate Certificate offers an excellent opportunity to achieve advanced knowledge and professional certification in the formulation and implementation of policies that achieve sustainable operations. It provides students a foundation in public policy and the environment while introducing environmental issues of local, state, regional, national, and global concern.

Rachel Kulick
Renee Trial
Jamie Jacquart