This course examines the practical decision-making challenges faced by environmental engineers, planners, and scientists throughout the lifecycle of environmental programs and projects—from conception to completion. Learners begin with foundational models of decision-making, exploring environmental worldviews and ethics to better understand intercultural dynamics that can shape or hinder implementation.Emphasis is placed on the praxis of effective decision-making, encouraging learners to analyze real-world cases, assess their own approaches, and develop practical solutions. Topics include NEPA, fossil fuels, nuclear and renewable energy decision-making, Superfund sites, public land use, and the influence of environmental and social movements. Each module features perspectives from practitioners across the environmental field to illustrate current and emerging approaches to decision-making.The course is delivered asynchronously, with optional opportunities to join select modules synchronously for real-time engagement. These flexible participation options allow learners to choose their preferred mode of interaction without affecting course completion. Additionally, students may collaborate with global peers in role-playing simulations and select from alternative project formats designed to support diverse learning styles and enhance successful completion of graded assignments.
Deadlines for Adding, Dropping, and Withdrawing from Courses
Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar. Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.
Academic Misconduct Policy
Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility
Student Conduct Code
Classroom Climate
JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).
Course Auditing
When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team (EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu) in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.