Education

Several courses and initiativesteach concepts related to effects of engaging with nature for well-being, with some courses extending into social justice and/or conservation. Below are representatives of a growing list of courses, as well as connections to creations by and for students.

 

 

Environmental Literacy Requirement

In 2019, UConn launched the new environmental literacy general educational requirement that ensures students graduate having taken at least one three-credit course anchored to environmental topics. This requirement ensures students upon leaving UConn will have a comprehensive understanding of the environment, an important component of all professions.

To search for the most up to date E-course list, follow this link and filter under 'Content Area' for 'COMPE.'

UConn Today Article

 

UConn Reads 2021 - The Great Derangement

The UConn Reads program in 2021-2022 centered on the selected book, The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable, and its author, Amitav Ghosh. The University hosted several events supplemented by additional resources, which can be found by clicking on the image to the left.

In 2011, the University of Connecticut introduced UConn Reads, a common reading program that welcomes you to join in a book discussion open to the entire University community. UConn Reads aims to gather together students, staff, alumni, faculty, and state citizens alike who share an interest and sense of pride in the University, who relish intelligent, respectful debate, and who each can bring their own individual perspectives and personal experiences to a thought-provoking and engaging conversation.

 

Pollinator-Related Course List

Since 2017, UConn has been certified as a Bee Campus USA approved by the Xerces Society.  Beginning as a student-run initiative by UConn PIRG (later called Praxis), the Office of Sustainability now leads the application process each year and organizes the UConn Bee Campus USA Committee. This committee, which NatureRx has actively sat on since our inception, gathers annually to discuss and collaborate on pollinator-related events, initiatives, and related efforts on campus. The UConn OS compiles this information for the recertification application each year, which is due in February.

Click on the image to the right to find an up-to-date list of ALL pollinator related courses at UConn Storrs.

Cover page student book

SOCI 3998 Special Topics: Human Societies and the Living Earth (with Dr. Phoebe Godfrey)
Students in this course produced a book of contemplative self-help activities.

SOCI 3998 Special Topics: Human Societies and the Living Earth (with Dr. Phoebe Godfrey)
Students in this course produced a guide to foraging on the UConn Storrs Campus.

Environmental Justice Toolkit

UConn graduate Himaja Nagireddy ('20) created the Environmental Justice Toolkit during her undergraduate career as a way to teach others about environmental justice. She used her experiences at COP@25 and ongoing research to provide an opportunity for others to take action to support the environmental justice movement.

UConn NatureRx with TED

Sam Kocurek ('23) gives a TED talk highlighting the intersections between mental health and nature. He discusses our very own UConn NatureRx and how our mission is a central theme to his own experiences of mental health.