Environmental Economics This course is dedicated to the proposition that economic reasoning is critical for analyzing the persistence of environmental damage and for designing cost-effective environmental policies. The objectives of the course are that each student (a) understands the economic approach to the environment; (b) can use microeconomics to illustrate the theory of environmental policy; and (c) comprehends and can critically evaluate: alternative environmental standards, benefits and costs of environmental protection, and incentive-based environmental policies.

Community-Engaged Environmental Studies Practicum In this course students work in small groups with one of a variety of partners and organizations to complete a semester-long, community-engaged project. Project themes vary by term and typically focus on local and regional environmental issues that have broader application. Projects rely on students’ creativity, interdisciplinary perspectives, skills, and knowledge developed through their previous work. The project is guided by a faculty member and carried out with a high degree of independence by the students. Students will prepare for and direct their project work through readings and discussion, independent research, collaboration with project partners, and consultation with external experts. The course may also include workshops focused on developing key skills (e.g., interviewing, public speaking, video editing). The project culminates in a public presentation of students’ final products, which may various forms such as written reports, policy white papers, podcasts, or outreach materials. (Open to Juniors and Seniors)

Special Topics in Environmental Economics The objective of this seminar is that each student achieves fluency in a set of advanced concepts in environmental economics. The seminar is divided into two main sections. First, we introduce the core theory and policy implications of environmental economics. These include the economics of renewable and non-renewable resources, the theory of externalities and public goods, the Coase theorem, the Ostrom perspective; and sustainability. Second, we study selected topics including the promise and challenges of economic growth, the future of fossil fuels and renewables, and the imperative of climate justice.

Introductory Microeconomics An introduction to the analysis of such microeconomic problems as price formation (the forces behind demand and supply), market structures from competitive to oligopolistic, distribution of income, and public policy options bearing on these problems.

Love in Action In this course we will study the power of love to effect social change. We will review historic and current episodes–including the Civil Rights Movement, post-Apartheid reconciliation in South Africa, and Black Lives Matter–to address longstanding injustice. We will learn from historic (e.g. John Lewis, James Baldwin) and contemporary (e.g., bell hooks) leaders who promote love as a ‘force more powerful’ and also study the limits of love in the pursuit of justice. During the course, members of the college community and external speakers will share their perspectives on the power and limits of love.

Fighting for Justice How do people overcome injustice? In this course, we will study historic justice movements, including abolition and the fight against Jim Crow. We will then analyze two contemporary movements: the fights against mass incarceration and against climate change. After comparing and contrasting these fights with past movements and with each other, we will study ideas for accelerating the pursuit of justice in our time. Our reading will include the work of Frederick Douglass, Ella Baker, Bryan Stevenson, Michelle Alexander, Van Jones, and Mary Robinson. During our final two weeks, students will present their ideas for overcoming current forms of injustice.

Jon Isham

Reviews and ratings for Jon Isham at Middlebury College.Jon Isham teaches Environmental Economics, Community Engaged Practicum, Environmental Economics Topics and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Jon Isham good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Taught by Professor Isham, the course effectively bridged the gap between economic theory and its application to environmental issues. We had readings every week where we had quiz in the first class of the week for 15 mins and we were a final project that was constantly running in the background. 


Professor Isham is a great guy, but he really fell short as an instructor this semester. He was often unresponsive to emails, and didn't really help us that much with the final research paper. The paper and the oral exam are 55% of the overall grade, which makes the last two weeks hell. This class is way too much effort for such little reward.

Everybody says taking this course with Mez is a must, but I found Isham to be a great professor. We did have two exams. The midterm is easy as long as you listen in class and do a bit of studying to remember key people/topics. The last exam is take home. And in the last month, you write a policy paper on a chosen topic. Isham does sometimes draw out stories, but he deeply cares about the environment and brought in super cool people for us to listen to