This course examines the possibility of a sustainability transition, a future in which material prosperity may be combined with preservation of the life-support systems of the human and natural world. Over the past 200 years the human presence on the planet has changed dramatically, as seen in long-range trends of environmental modification, population growth, and economic change. Although human population growth is slowing, this is but one ingredient of a sustainable long-term relationship between humans and nature. Other important aspects, including loss of biodiversity, consumption and a globalizing economy, and technological change will be reviewed, in an effort to illuminate the idea of a transition toward sustainability and the challenges implied by its ambitions and hopes. Course objectives: 1) Students should understand the idea of a sustainability transition, including the strengths and weaknesses of this social-learning approach to environment and social action. 2) Students should be able to explore long-term, large-scale phenomena, calling upon a variety of disciplinary methods and drawing together information about both human activities and the natural world. Format: seminar. Requirements: there will be two research exercises, an in-class midterm, and a final exam. No prerequisites. No enrollment limit (expected: 10).