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Sustainability

The sustainability minor, which is open to all majors, is one of the first of its kind. The program is designed to familiarize students with the core values of sustainability, and gain an in-depth knowledge of why and how sustainability is approached.

Catalog Description

Sustainability (18 credits minimum)
A minor in Sustainability requires 18 credits, including SUST 2010; and 15 credits selected from AGM 3010, AGRB 2570, 3570, 4570*, ARCH 4250, 4710*, 4720*, BE 4080, 4240, 4400, 4510, 4640, 4730, 4740, 4750, BIOL 2040*, 3130, 4410, 4860, BT 2200, 2400, CE 4120, 4360, 4370, 4400, CHE 4500, COMM 3070*, ECE 4200, 4570, 4610, 4710, ECON 3190, EES 3030, 3040, 4300, 4510, 4800, 4840, 4860, ENGL 4340*, ENR 1010, 3120*, 4130, 4290*, 4500*, ENSP 1250, 2000, 2010, 3150, 4000*, 4720, ENT 3000, ETOX 4000, 4210, 4370, 4460, 4470, 4850, FOR 4230, 4340, 4510, 4650, GEOL 1120, 1140, 1200, 1250, 2700*, 3000, 4090*, HIST 1240*, 3920*, HON 2060 (when the course covers sustainable energy innovation or experimental forest topics), HORT 1010, 3080, 3090, 4560*, 4610*, LARC 4230*, ME 4200, 4260, MSE 4330, PES 3150, 3350, 4080, 4220, 4230, 4450*, 4510*, 4900, PHIL 3260*, 3400*, 3450*, PHSC 1070, PHYS 2450, 4200, PKSC 3680*, POSC 4160*, PRTM 4300*, RS 4010*, SOC 4030*, 4330*, 4590*, 4710*, STS 2150*, WFB 3130, 4180, 4300. At least nine credits must be selected from 3000- or 4000-level courses. At least three and no more than nine credits must be from courses addressing the social dimension of sustainability. These courses are identified by an asterisk in the list above. Creative Inquiry, study abroad, independent research, capstone project, or other courses that focus on sustainability issues may be submitted through SUST 2010 instructors for approval.

Flow of the Minor

SUST 2010, Sustainability Leadership, is intended as the first course students will take in the minor. The course includes brief coverage of the student learning outcomes listed below. As part of this course, students work with the instructors to select learning objectives from this list and use these learning objectives to develop their plan for completing the minor.

Students are encouraged to take SUST 2010 early in their studies, but may seek approval for courses taken prior to enrolling in SUST 2010.

An approved list of learning objectives, courses, and engagement activities will be maintained and students/faculty can submit new courses and projects for approval by showing how they meet specific learning objectives. This flexibility is critical due to the constant additions of courses and engagement activities related to sustainability.

Student Learning Outcomes

Scales of sustainability:

  • Define sustainability in 3 dimensions (environmental, social, economic)
  • Apply sustainability concepts on local and global scales
  • Integrate sustainability study and practice into the surrounding community
  • Evaluate the history of development through mercantilism, imperialism, capitalism
  • Assess the long term cultural and environmental impacts that shape our world today

Fundamental issues of sustainability:

  • Evaluate current and potential future impacts of sustainability issues including: Global climate and climate change; Food; Energy; Water; Environmental Degradation
  • Evaluate how sustainability impacts social and intergenerational justice

Systems thinking for sustainability:

  • Understand basic principles of systems thinking
  • Evaluate the role of their major in sustainability issues
  • Recognize interrelated systems

Evaluate tools for implementing/measuring sustainability:

  • Evaluate the costs and benefits of sustainability (see that it is not always more expensive)
  • Perform a Life cycle analysis and assessment
  • Measure impacts of point source pollution prevention; and cradle-to-cradle and lean manufacturing

Change agents for sustainability:

  • Practice change agent skills for sustainability
  • Practice group processes
  • Identify and address the root of problems, even when it seems to go against the status quo or social norms
  • Apply a new or changed mindset to your personal life