Permaculture is an ethically based, whole-systems design approach to creating sustainable landscapes and human settlements. It strives to create agriculturally productive environments that have the diversity, stability, and resiliency of the natural biosphere while harmoniously integrating people and landscapes. As an interdisciplinary design method, permaculture is rooted in horticulture and agriculture, but also spans into regional planning, ecology, animal husbandry, technology, architecture, and international development. This introductory permaculture course explores the fundamentals of permaculture science and design. Throughout the course, students will work individually to create a permaculture design plan for a site of their choosing.

The course is comprised of 12 self-paced online learning modules, covering the following topics: Ethics & Principles, The Garden as an Ecosystem, The Design Process, Soil Building, Water Management, Plants of Many Uses, Habitat Restoration, Polycultures & Guilds, Food Forests, Urban Permaculture, Structure & Greenhouses, and Social Equity. Each module includes assigned reading, a video-recorded lecture, supplemental videos, a journal/design prompt and an open-book content quiz. Students will be expected to complete three modules per week during the four-week summer session. Students will also complete a permaculture design plan for their own site or an assigned site.

Grades are based on journal/design prompts, open-book content quizzes, and a final design project.