Environmental Science & Policy 335 - Seminar: Well-Being and the Environment: Landscapes of Health, Happiness, and Pleasure

Often, academic disciplines focus on environmental problems and the perceived moral shortcomings which produce them. This can overshadow positive experiences with nature. To better understand how people derive health, well-being, and sensual pleasure from interacting with nature through recreation, food, and the aesthetics, this course uses research from the natural and social sciences as well as the humanities. Starting with a survey of the scientific literature on pleasure, happiness, and health, the
course turns to contemporary perspectives in environmental psychology and epidemiology. After exploring how the arts and humanities have understood the environment and pleasure, the course ends by covering the emerging literature on the environment and human flourishing. Restrictions: Juniors and seniors only. Enrollment limited to 12. Instructor permission required.

[CE] JR/SR only