Psychology Meets Sustainability this Spring at USC

Are organizations doing a credible job of decision-making for sustainability? If not, why not and how can they do better?

Explore these questions in Spring 2026 with PSYC 411: Not Easy Being Green: Decision-making for Sustainability taught by Dr. Joe Árvai, Director of the Wrigley Institute.

This is a 4-unit Spring 2026 class that includes a mandatory spring break trip to Zürich, Switzerland where students will meet the people and organizations at the forefront of sustainability in Europe. During the rest of the spring semester, classes and lectures will be complemented by meetings with sustainability leaders in Los Angeles.

Applications for this course are now open.

Virtual Information Session: Monday, September 29 from 12-1pm. Register here.

Application Deadline: October 19, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PT

Apply for this course

Connect with Innovators of Real-World Sustainability Solutions

During the 2025 Zurich trip, the class visited organizations representing:

  • Sporting mega-event production
  • Chemical engineering
  • Carbon capture
  • Rail transportation
  • Sustainable fashion
  • Wildlife conservation

Organizations subject to change in 2026.

“Switzerland’s cultural commitment to collective responsibility and systemic thinking makes it fertile ground for such work, and I left feeling energized about the possibilities for applying these models back home in Los Angeles.”

Brooke Robertson, Spring 2025 student

Course Details

    • Application Launch: Early September 
    • Application Deadline: October 19, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PT
    • Decision Notifications Sent: Week of October 20
    • Student Commitment Deadline: November 7 at 11:59 p.m. PT
    • This class is only open to juniors and seniors at USC.
    • A 3.7 minimum GPA is required.
    • D-clearance and an application are required for this course. 
    • Because this class requires international travel, all enrolled students must have a valid passport prior to the start of spring semester, and they must be legally eligible to both travel abroad and return to the United States.
    • Extensive background preparation in psychology and sustainability is not required. However, PSYC 100 (Introduction to Psychology) is a prerequisite. Waivers can be granted according to these instructions. Please speak to an academic advisor before requesting a prerequisite waiver, as these waivers will permanently affect your USC course plan. ENST 100: Introduction to Environmental Studies or ENST 150: Environmental Issues in Society is strongly recommended.
    • Class will meet Tuesday/Thursday from 12-1:50 p.m. during the spring semester until March 13th, 2026. 
    • Zurich trip dates: Saturday, March 14, 2026 – Sunday, March 22, 2026
      • Note that due to the time change, a March 14 arrival requires a departure on Friday, March 13, from Los Angeles.
      • Students must be in attendance for the entire duration of the Zurich trip. Permission to arrive late or leave early will not be granted.
    • The class will meet for approximately 8 hours (for classes and field trips) each day we are in Zurich, Switzerland.
    • In-person classes at USC will resume on April 2, 2026, on Tuesdays only. Our final classroom session will be on April 9, 2026.
    • The final presentation of class projects will take place during Earth Week 2026.
  • Billable Amount (Charged to USC E-Bill)
    Tuition is part of the 12-18 unit spring block rate $0
    Overseas student health insurance* $57
    Program fee (subject to change)** $1,000
    Billable Total $1,057
    Non-Billable Amount (Out-of-Pocket Costs)
    Refundable Airfare (range $1,000-$1,500) $1,200
    Books and supplies $0
    Personal meals (varies by student) $600
    Personal expenses (varies by student) $200
    U.S. Passport*** $165
    Visa (varies by student/nationality) $ –
    Non-Billable Total $2,165
       
    Estimated Total Cost
    		 $3,222

    *Waived for students enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
    **Fee Includes: Lodging accommodations, 2 group meals, Swiss Rail Pass, excursions. Please note: All students are responsible for the full program fee. Fees are non-negotiable and vary based on location, length, season, and other program-specific factors.
    **Subtract this cost if you already have a U.S. Passport

  • The Dornsife ExL award can cover up to $1,500 per academic year for overseas studies for eligible students. Learn more here.

    For additional funding opportunities, contact the Dornsife Scholarship Office. Students can also browse awards on the USC Scholarship Universe page and review the expanded resource lists.

    Please note: Students are responsible for all program costs listed. Do not rely solely on scholarship funding. For questions about scholarships, financial aid, or course planning, reach out to the appropriate office.

    External Scholarship Resources 

Apply for this course

Questions?

If you have questions about any aspect of the course, please contact Wrigley Institute Education and Engagement Administrator Hannah Maryanski Kiszla at maryansk@usc.edu.