Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies (EPA). The City of Detroit has faced many environmental issues, where several decades of industrialization resulted in a vast impairment of natural resources in urban ecosystems. Moreover, these environmental issues are more likely to occur in low-income and communities of color in the city.

This is an elective and transdisciplinary seminar course for undergraduate and graduate students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), social sciences and related fields. The objective of this course is to help students understand the intersection between environmental quality, social science, and public policy. We explore local environmental issues pertaining to air, water, and soil quality that require urgent attention in Detroit and the influence of environmental degradation on the health security and quality of life in marginalized communities. In this course, we will not only discuss the problems that Detroit is facing, but potential solutions that aim to positive outcomes.