
Example Course Schedule
Pre-Major
CEP 200: Introduction to Community, Environment & Planning
Autumn or Winter Quarter
5 credits, I&S
Introduction to central themes of the major. Lectures, discussions, and critical writing exercises combine to increase knowledge and interest in these fields. Recommended for incoming CEP students, but not required.
Core Courses
CEP 301: The Idea of Community
Junior Year, Autumn Quarter
5 credits, I&S
Examining community as an object of study, a lived experience we intentionally foster and share, and a pedagogical approach that defines our unique form of learning.
CEP 302: Environmental Response
Junior Year, Winter Quarter
5 credits, I&S/NW
A foundation for understanding environmental crises and societal responses through readings and reflective analysis.
CEP 303: Social Structures & Processes

Jess Zimbabwe
Junior Year, Spring Quarter
5 credits, I&S
Investigates use of formal and informal social structures and processes within the context of the environments and communities of urban neighborhoods.
CEP 460: Planning in Context

Rachel Berney

Jess Zimbabwe
Senior Year, Autumn Quarter
5 credits, I&S
Examines theory against backdrop of practice for broad historical understanding of social, political, and environmental planning. Critique from viewpoints, e.g., planning history, ethics, ecofeminism, environmental justice, class and capitalism, planning, and global economy.
CEP 461: Ethics & Identity
Senior Year, Winter Quarter
5 credits, VLPA/I&S
Examination of personal, societal, vocational, environmental, planning ethics. Readings and discourse on ethical foundations for public life.
CEP 462: Capstone Course

Megan Herzog
Senior Year, Spring Quarter
5 credits, I&S
Capstone quarter merges core seminars, disciplinary courses in major, and community field experiences for mastery of personal knowledge and skills.
Methods Courses
25-credits of Self-Selected Courses
Alongside your core courses, you will take 25-credits of Methods courses. Methods are broadly defined in CEP as classes that provide ways of knowing, ways of thinking, or ways of doing. You should select your Methods courses based on your stated educational goals. Methods courses must be upper-division (300-level or above). They are chosen with intention each quarter, and are unique to every student.
Appropriate Methods courses include:
- Qualitative methods (interviews, observations)
- Quantitative methods (surveys, statistics)
- Research design methods
- Design, visual analysis, and communication
- Symbolic or discursive interpretation or analysis
- Critical theory
- Computer applications and modeling
- Group dynamics
- Facilitation and leadership
- Ethics and philosophy
- Theory and methods of organizational change
- Processes of communication
- Specialized writing
Other Required Courses
CEP 300: Leadership Retreat
Student-Led
Junior & Senior Year; Autumn & Spring Quarters
1 credit
Opportunities for community building and all-major policy deliberation and decisions. Workshops for skill-building in consensus, facilitation, and for major-specific activities such as policy deliberation and developing individual study plans.
CEP 400: Governance
Student-Led
Junior & Senior Year; Autumn, Winter & Spring Quarters
1 credit
Emphasizes personal and collective leadership, democratic decision-making, and learning through direct action and reflection.
CEP 446: Internship
Junior or Senior Year; Autumn or Spring Quarter
5 credits
Connects core and individual courses with field work.
CEP 490: Senior Project Prep I

Megan Herzog
Senior Year, Autumn Quarter
3 credits
Supports the conceptualization and planning of senior project/capstone work including selecting a project, beginning a literature review, finding a mentor, and developing a plan.
CEP 491: Senior Project Prep II

Megan Herzog
Senior Year, Winter Quarter
3 credits
Focuses on implementing the senior project/capstone, including revisions and updates as seen fit.
Diversity Course
Junior or Senior Year; Autumn, Winter, or Spring Quarter
5 credits
Each student must take at least 5 Diversity credits, in place of the UW standard of 3 Diversity credits. You can read more about what constitutes a Diversity course below.
Digital Skills Course
Junior or Senior Year; Autumn, Winter, or Spring Quarter
3 credits
CEP students must take at least 3 credits of courses that focus on digital technology and its practical and theoretical roles in the modern world.
CEP Electives
CEP 473: Digital Design Practicum
Spring Quarter
5 credits, VLPA/I&S
Uses digital technologies for mapping, drafting, modeling, and communication. Includes real-world case study projects that focus on urban design and planning issues.
CEP 498: Planning Practicum

David Blum
Autumn, Winter & Spring Quarters
5 credits, I&S
This practicum brings together multiple planning elements within the context of a real-world problem. Students will explore planning and design at the city, neighborhood, and site scale.