Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2025 - PSYC 366 D100

Psychology and Environmental Sustainability (3)

Class Number: 2197

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Jun 20, 2025: Tue, Thu, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Michael Schmitt
    mschmitt@sfu.ca
    1 778 782-6861
    Office: RCB 6325
    Office Hours: To be determined

  • Prerequisites:

    PSYC 201 and PSYC 260.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A survey of some of the ways that psychological theorizing and research, and social psychology in particular, can be applied to environmental sustainability. Introduces students to some of the environmental challenges faced by contemporary humans and the psychological implications of those challenges. Students with credit for PSYC 391 Psychology and Environmental Sustainability may not take PSYC 366 for further credit.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

After successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Have developed a basic understanding of climate change and other environmental problems (for example, knowing that human-caused climate is happening, as well as its causes and consequences).
2. Be able to explain multiple social psychological theories (related to social norms, well-being, identity, power and inequality, etc.) and describe existing evidence for their predictions.
3. Be able to apply social psychological theories to environmental issues.
4. Understand and be able to articulate reciprocal relationships between how humans relate to other humans and how humans relate to the rest of the natural world.
5. Be able to critique approaches to sustainability using social psychology.
6. Be able to critique approaches to sustainability using a justice/equity lens.
7. Have an increased sense of agency in making their own positive contribution to addressing environmental problems.

Grading

  • Grading percentages below are tentative.
  • Participation: 5%
  • Short paper: 5%
  • Midterm 1: 20%
  • Midterm 2: 20%
  • Final Paper: 25%
  • Final Exam: 25%

REQUIREMENTS:

Prerequisite: PSYC 201 and PSYC 260.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

No Textbook Required. Readings will be available online through the SFU Library, or elsewhere online.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.