Summer Courses 2026

Track A / May 5th - June 18th

SS2200 Intro to Archaeology

Introduction to the methods of archaeology and the contributions of the discipline to understanding of world prehistory. Topics include the ways archaeologists discover and excavate sites, the analysis of archaeological artifacts and features, human evolution, and the patterns of world prehistory.
Fulfills: Ess Ed Foundations/Human World, Ess Ed SHAPE, Soc Resp & Ethical Reasoning, Gen Ed Soc Resp/Ethical CORE, Gen Ed Social & Behavioral Sci, SSS Anthrop/Archaeology Elect, Gen Ed STEM Restricted
CRN 52046, 3 Credits, Instructor: Tim Scarlett

SS2300 Environment and Society

Examines social approaches to understanding why environmental problems happen and how environmental problems are resolved. Includes concepts such as sustainability, market-based environmental policies, property systems, and environmental justice. Case studies may include biodiversity, deforestation, climate change, water quality, and toxics.
Fulfills: Ess Ed Foundations/Human World, Ess Ed SHAPE, Critical & Creative Thinking, Gen Ed Crit/Creative CORE, Gen Ed Social & Behavioral Sci
CRN 51703+51704 (Lec/Rec), 3 Credits, Instructor: R. Sidortsov

SS3110 Food Systems and Sustainability

Compares the embedded nature of culturally defined food production and consumption habits: the crux of nature meeting and mixing with culture. The course features classic food system scholarship as well as emerging topics and contemporary case studies.
Fulfills: Ess Ed Intercult'l Competency, Ess Ed SHAPE, Soc Resp & Ethical Reasoning, Gen Ed Social & Behavioral Sci
CRN 52045, 3 Credits, Instructor: Angie Carter

SS3315 Population, Health, and Environment

This course investigates relationships between the world's population, population change, population distribution, resource consumption, and environmental, health, and social consequences. Addresses local and global relationships and the population processes (mortality, fertility, and migration) involved.
Fulfills: Ess Ed SHAPE, Global Literacy, Gen Ed Social & Behavioral Sci
CRN 52047, 3 Credits, Instructor: Carolin Sjoholm

SS3540 History of Michigan 

The history of Michigan from before European settlement to the present.
Fulfills: Ess Ed Arts & Cultures, Ess Ed SHAPE, Soc Resp & Ethical Reasoning, Gen Ed Social & Behavioral Sci, SSS History Elective
CRN 51463, 3 Credits, Instructor: Laura Rouleau

SS3990 Community-Engaged Experience

Examines an important theme or topic in the social sciences, such as social theory, work and society, or the engineer in American society. May be repeated if topic differs.
Fulfills: Ess Ed Experience, Critical & Creative Thinking, Gen Ed Social & Behavioral Sci
CRN 52061, 3 Credits, Instructor: Kari Henquinet

Track B / June 22nd - August 6th

SS2400 Intro to Human Geography

This course introduces students to concepts, problems, and case studies that make up the study of human geography: the spatial differentiation and organization of human activity, environmental sustainability, and the role of space and place in our everyday lives.
Fulfills: Ess Ed Foundations/Human World, Ess Ed SHAPE, Soc Resp & Ethical Reasoning, Gen Ed Soc Resp/Ethical CORE, Gen Ed Social & Behavioral Sci
CRN 52052, 3 Credits, Instructor: Kathryn Hannum

SS3530 The Automobile in America 

Examines the automobile in diverse ways, seeing it as a complex product to be manufactured, as a stimulus to reshaping the environment, as an object that has altered social behavior, and as a problem solver and problem maker..
Fulfills: Ess Ed Arts & Cultures, Ess Ed SHAPE, Soc Resp & Ethical Reasoning, Gen Ed Social & Behavioral Sci, SSS History Elective, SSS Political Science Elective
CRN 51393, 3 Credits, Instructor: Laura Rouleau

SS3630 Environmental Policy and Politics 

A broad survey of how environmental policy making actually works in the U.S. Covers both environmental policy processes and politics, and the major environmental policies themselves for control of air pollution, water pollution, hazardous wastes, and other major environmental problems.
Fulfills: Environmental Engr Prof Elect, Ess Ed SHAPE, FES Environmental Electives, Soc Resp & Ethical Reasoning, Gen Ed Social & Behavioral Sci, SSS Geography/Environment Elec, SSS Political Science Elective
CRN 52056, 3 Credits, Instructor: Carolin Sjoholm

SS3800 Energy Policy and Technology 

This course examines the policies and technologies affecting the production, transportation, and use of energy. It focuses on U.S. domestic energy policy and places it in the context of the global energy system. The course aims at providing a holistic view of energy systems connecting technological options with societal and environmental concerns.
Fulfills: Ess Ed STEM, Critical & Creative Thinking, Gen Ed Social & Behavioral Sci, SSS Geography/Environment Elec, SSS Political Science Elective
CRN 52066, 3 Credits, Instructor: Roman Sidortsov

SS3920 Mining in the Keweenaw 

Survey of a major branch of American anthropology or archaeology, or a specific time period or region. Topics may include North American prehistory, experimental archaeology, applied anthropology, economic anthropology, or other specialized themes. Readings will emphasize both theoretical and substantive contributions. May be repeated if topics differ.
Fulfills: Ess Ed Intercult'l Competency, Ess Ed SHAPE, Critical & Creative Thinking, Gen Ed Social & Behavioral Sci, SSS Anthrop/Archaeology Elect
CRN 52053, 3 Credits, Instructor: Sam Sweitz