This new program complements the Making of the Modern World’s summer Global Seminars abroad by offering a local option: the MMW California Seminar. This program is offered in a partnership between the Making of the Modern World Program at Eleanor Roosevelt College and UCSD’s Outback Adventures.

The MMW California Seminar asks a set of guiding questions: In this densely populated region of ~30 million people (Southern California and Baja California), why are these natural spaces preserved? Who manages them, and according to what policies and practices? What ecological and other challenges do they face? And how do these natural places connect with the broader environmental, cultural, and socio-political themes addressed in MMW15?  Students explore the complex interplay of nature and society, touching on such topics as climate change and its ecological impact, the politics of water and land use, the pressures of urban expansion, and the inter-relationship between environmental engagement, human well-being, and cultural identity.  Students pursue answers through the classroom and through a first-hand engagement in diverse settings, including State and National Parks, National Forests and Wilderness Areas, and the National Trail System, represented by the Pacific Crest Trail.

FULFILLS REQUIREMENTS: This program fulfills the UCSD Climate Change requirement and for ERC students, fulfills MMW15 and MWW122 (for transfer students).  

FORMAT:  The MMW CA Seminar will be taught remotely in Weeks 1, 2, 5, with the on-site experiential component in Weeks 3-4 (July 12–24, 2026). Students may also enroll concurrently in ERC192A (2 units) to reach the 6 units required to access financial aid. 

CAPACITY & COST: The MMW CA Seminar has two experiential options. The California Mountains program is limited to 12 students and the Baja California (Mexico) program is limited to 8 students.  Participants pay summer tuition for MMW15R (and ERC192A, if needed) and a Program Fee that covers transportation to/from UCSD, all necessary equipment, camping and lodging costs, site permits, food, and guides.  The MMW15R CA Seminar is subsidized by ERC, which reduces the Program Fee to $600.  

MMW CA Seminar – Mountain

MMW CA Seminar – Baja California

APPLICATION:  MMW CA Seminar Mountain application and MMW CA Seminar Baja application. Priority application deadline is Nov. 25, 2025, final deadline is Feb 1. The programs run concurrently (July 12 – July 24). A student may submit an application to both programs, but will only be accepted into one of these.

QUESTIONS:  Contact Prof. Matthew Herbst, MMW Director, at mtherbst@ucsd.edu