Ecological Justice Pathway

This course builds a social ecology perspective that emphasizes integrated social–ecological systems as a necessary theoretical framework for understanding the interconnectedness of human health, well-being and resilience with that of other species and the natural environment. You will review and analyze theoretical concepts and models for contextualizing the important social and ecological issues impacting our global environment as well as the societal implications of global environmental change. Using an integrated social science approach that highlights regenerative development, you will be prepared to implement effective, strengths-based solutions to support sustainable development and capacity-building efforts at various scales in the United States and abroad.

Social and environmental impact assessments are important tools for analyzing and managing both the intended and unintended consequences of development projects on human and ecological systems in order to bring about a more equitable and sustainable social ecological system. This class incorporates an understanding of the history and concepts of the three levels of impact assessments (micro, mezzo and macro) into the research process that is the core of social impact assessments. You will be able to prepare and evaluate social ecological impact assessments by learning to identify and define problems, select theoretical frameworks appropriate to the problem, identify research questions, design a study appropriate for the identified questions, gather and analyze data and write a final assessment.

The impacts of the climate crisis and global environmental degradation are becoming increasingly apparent upon mental health. Social workers are well positioned to address the mental health implications of the climate crisis, ecological injustice and environmental degradation. Understanding how these phenomena bear upon the mental well-being of clients and communities will be explored in this required choice methods/skills class. Emphasis will be placed on building resilience to climate grief, solastalgia, eco-anxiety and climate trauma utilizing a strengths-based perspective. Students will develop knowledge and awareness of how climate change impacts our thoughts, emotions and behavior to be of support to clients and foster self-care as social work practitioners.

This course builds students’ skills and strategies to enhance wellness for individuals, organizations and communities. Students will explore differences and beliefs related to health and wellness in both their internal/personal experience and in social work practice. Course topics include soul- and nature-based human development models, Eastern and Indigenous medicine models, and traditional or evidenced-based wellness frameworks. The Western medical industrial complex of ableism and “moral and physical fitness” is focused on illness prevention. In contrast, holistic health models focus on wellness promotion. Students create wellness promotion plans for an organization or community to address gaps found in data for private, public, tribal health systems, community health and in organizational and public policies. The course emphasizes interdisciplinary knowledge and skills, professional ethics and values and the role of social workers as change agents in creating solutions for public health issues at micro, mezzo and macro levels.

This course explores how we can create a regenerative future that is life-renewing for people and planet—a future in which all people, species and ecosystems thrive. The concept of a “regenerative future” will be examined for how it goes beyond the limitations of a sustainability paradigm and analyzed from the lenses of ecological justice and power, privilege and oppression. This course will use frameworks of permaculture, regenerative design and futures thinking to move beyond “fixing” climate change or other planetary emergencies to a more robust, holistic framework for planning socio-ecological change. Students will gain skills of regenerative design, regenerative mapping and emergent theories of change. These skills will be discussed in a vast array of applications (with both social and ecological systems) to focus on integration and regeneration of humans and the more-than-human world.

Social development is a process of planned change intended to bring about a better correspondence between human needs and social policies and programs. This class has a fully global focus with particular emphasis on transitioning economies to align with human well-being. Through this practice-oriented class, you will gain knowledge of policymaking for global human security within a dramatically changing environment and build the skills required for local social development.

EarthLinks cultivates transformation and self-worth with people experiencing homelessness and poverty by creating opportunities through Earth-centered programs. Individuals step out of isolation and into a community, restoring each other and the planet. Interns learn how to set professional boundaries and communicate with diverse populations while experiencing conservation social work and One Health—uniting the health of the planet with the health of humans. 

Re:Vision is a community-based nonprofit working in Southwest Denver neighborhoods to cultivate thriving, resilient communities by establishing community food systems, building collective efficacy and igniting community wealth building. Interns help families improve their access to fresh food by growing fresh fruits and vegetables in their backyard.

350 Colorado is building a movement of everyday people to transition away from fossil fuels and toward 100% renewable energy. Interns support and mobilize grassroots community organizing efforts to address the climate crisis and create a better Colorado.

The Urban Land Conservancy preserves and stewards affordable land and housing. Interns support outreach, data and research efforts alongside the strategy and communications team, contributing to the vision of vibrant, diverse neighborhoods in Denver with thriving quality of life.