Sustainability Studies Minor Requirements
(20-21 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Courses 1 | 14 | |
| Introduction to Sustainability Studies | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Sciences | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Introduction to Global Supply Chain Mgt. | ||
| Disciplinary Explorations 2 | 3-4 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Technology and Science in America | ||
| Honors Seminar: The Environment: a Conflict of Interest | ||
| General Ecology | ||
| Literature and the Environment | ||
| Food Writing | ||
| Grant Proposals, Fundraising and Development | ||
| Statistical and Computer Applications in the Natural Sciences | ||
| Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Weather and Climate Change | ||
| American Environmental History | ||
| Global Politics | ||
| Environmental Politics | ||
| Comparative Environmental Policy | ||
| Geopolitics of Energy | ||
| Population Study | ||
| Power and Politics | ||
| Social Policy | ||
| Experiential Learning 3 | 3 | |
| Independent Study: Research and Creative Expression | ||
| Internship in Sustainability | ||
| Total Credits | 20-21 | |
Courses and Descriptions
SUS 100 Introduction to Sustainability Studies 4 Credits
Sustainability is an idea that will shape the lives of all in the 21st century. Students will explore how we arrived at our current precarious environmental situation and investigate cutting-edge methods that support human development and protect the natural ecosystems on which we will depend. By exploring principles of sustainability (whole-systems approaches, resource limitations, stewardship) through many different lenses, students will appreciate the interdisciplinarity of the sustainability enterprise. This course counts towards the fulfillment of the Disciplinary Perspectives element of the CLAS general education curriculum.
Corequisite(s): SUS 100L.
SUS 100L Intro to Sustainability Lab 0 Credits
For students concurrently taking SUS 100. Field trips, visiting speakers, and films to complement topics covered in the introductory course. One three-hour laboratory per week.
Corequisite(s): SUS 100.
ENV 100 Introduction to Environmental Sciences 4 Credits
Examines how ecosystems function, with emphasis on the interactions between biological organisms and their physical environment, and the chemical processes that govern these interactions. The impact of human populations on natural ecosystems is investigated in detail using case studies from history and current events. The laboratory provides for hands-on experiences and/or short field trips to local sites for a better understanding of many of the concepts discussed. Weekday and weekend field trips may be required. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour lab per week. CLAS general education areas addressed: DP, SP, GP.
Corequisite(s): ENV 100L.
ENV 100L Introduction to Environmental Sciences Lab 0 Credits
This lab is a co-requisite and must be taken with the corresponding course.
Corequisite(s): ENV 100.
GSC 115 Introduction to Global Supply Chain Mgt. 3 Credits
This course introduces students to components of global supply chains and issues of managing the global supply chain. It is designed as a survey course to give first or second year business students a general view of supply chain management at both domestic and international levels, as well as familiarize them with basic concepts and major challenges of supply chain management. Delivery of course material will include lectures and guest speakers from industry, and in-class logistics mini cases.
PHL 215 Environmental Ethics 3 Credits
A comprehensive introduction to environmental ethics that examines the major theoretical approaches, including anthropocentric (human-centered), zoocentric or sentientist (animal-centered), and biocentric or ecocentric (nature-centered) value systems, as well as the most important critiques of these ethical approaches. We will examine and analyze several classical ethical theories that are particularly relevant to a study of contemporary environmental controversies. We will also address specific issues such as biodiversity and wilderness preservation; human use of animals as food, entertainment, and research subjects; environmental racism and toxic dumping; sustainable development, population and consumption. Students will analyze and discuss the ethical dimensions of several contemporary environmental controversies. This course counts towards the fulfillment of the Disciplinary Perspectives element of the CLAS general education curriculum.
SUS 490 Independent Study: Research and Creative Expression 1-4 Credits
Immerses the student in applying sustainability principles in a field setting. Students are expected to assess the outcomes of their projects and communicate their results verbally and in writing to interested audiences.
SUS 491 Internship in Sustainability 1-4 Credits
A supervised work/service experience in an approved organization where students gain understanding and experience with applying sustainability principles. Placements may be in private, public, educational, non-profit or governmental organizations. Students are expected to include measurement and documentation of the environmental, social, and economic impact of their work. A minimum of 50 hours of work is required for one credit. At least 150 hours are required to earn 3 credits.
BHP 259 Honors Seminar: The Environment: a Conflict of Interest 3 Credits
Examines critical environmental issues such as global warming; food, water and energy resources; population trends; and global industrialization. Topics for context will include the origin of the elements, the origin of solar systems, and the origin of life as well as the basic principles of the current biotechnical revolution. Scientific understanding will be combined with knowledge about strategies for raising community awareness in order to (re)formulate public policy. In teams, students will be asked to define the problems; research available and prospective solutions; identify the technical, social, political, and economic constraints; and finally propose a workable strategy for making progress toward solutions.
BIO 350 General Ecology 4 Credits
An investigation of the processes that regulate the distribution of plants and animals throughout the biosphere. Relationships among species and their interactions with the environment are stressed. Quantitative analyses of experimental results and current research in basic and applied ecology are discussed. Laboratory activities explore conceptual models using both field activities and computer simulations. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour lab per week. One Saturday field trip (laboratory time will be adjusted accordingly). Prerequisite(s): BIO 115 with a minimum grade of C and BIO 116 with a minimum grade of C
Corequisite(s): BIO 350L.
ENG 218 Literature and the Environment 3 Credits
Students examine literature on important environmental issues, such as climate change, pollution, dams, oil pipelines, and nuclear energy. The class focuses on how literature, which may include fiction, poetry, drama, and essays, helps readers understand and grapple with these complex global challenges.
ENG 318 Food Writing 3 Credits
Food Writing is a thematically based course in essay writing. It develops students’ ability to write effective informal prose while also extending their knowledge about food sources, preparation, and consumption. They learn through readings and exercises, however, that food writing is about more than food. It encompasses the pleasures of the table, history, culture, science, and politics.
Prerequisite(s): completion of composition requirements or permission of instructor.
ENG 322 Grant Proposals, Fundraising and Development 3 Credits
Students employ their analytical and writing skills to research and write grants for non-profit organizations in their local or regional communities. Fundraising and development activities on behalf of area organizations introduce them to career opportunities in this growing field.
Prerequisite(s): CMP 125 or CMP 203 or BHP 150 or permission of instructor.
ENV 200 Statistical and Computer Applications in the Natural Sciences 4 Credits
This course introduces important statistical concepts, their application, and the usage of computer technology relevant to biological, environmental, geological, and marine problems. Students will learn various graphical and statistical techniques and how to execute them on personal computers. The curriculum emphasizes the integrated nature of these techniques and their importance to meaningful data evaluation and representation. Laboratory exercises are designed to emphasize useful solutions to problems found in many scientific disciplines using computer-based methodologies. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour lab per week.
Corequisite(s): ENV 200L.
ENV 205 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 3 Credits
This course introduces the computer-based concepts and skills of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It covers the basic GIS concepts, such as map characteristics and projections, spatial data models and analysis, and relational databases. It explores data sources, data quality, and metadata, as well as implementation and management of specific GIS projects. Hands-on experience with ArcGIS software is provided through a series of student exercises completed throughout the semester. Students will also be taught how to process both vector and raster data using ArcGIS software. The course is relevant for students from numerous disciplines in the natural sciences, social sciences, and business, which require the analysis and graphical representation of spatial data. Three hours of lecture per week.
ENV 220 Weather and Climate Change 3 Credits
This course introduces students to the concepts of weather and climate change. These concepts frame a continuum from short-term or daily changes in the atmosphere (meteorology) to those changes averaged over much longer periods of time (climatology). Students will learn the fundamentals of weather forecasting, the causes of natural variation in the Earth’s climate, and the impact of human actions on the Earth’s climate. Connections will be drawn to other current issues in the Earth system, including land use change, biodiversity, and pollution. Three hours of lecture per week.
Prerequisite(s): GEO 100 or GEO 113 or permission of instructor.
HIS 224 American Environmental History 3 Credits
Surveys the history of the North American environment from pre-Columbian times through the 20th century. Topics include Native American uses of the environment; the reshaping of ecosystems under European colonization; U.S. frontier expansion; the ecological impact of industrialization and urbanization; and the rise of the environmental movement.
POL 215 Global Politics 3 Credits
The struggle for power, wealth, and order at the global level involving nation-states, intergovernmental organizations (such as the United Nations, the European Union, etc.), non-governmental organizations, transnational enterprises and other non-state entities, using military, economic, diplomatic, legal, and communication instruments. Overview of global problems such as the proliferation of weapons of destruction, ethnic and religious conflicts, human rights, and the global environment in the 21st century.
POL 328 Environmental Politics 3 Credits
Environmental Politics examines how policymakers deal with the political challenges of unsustainable resource consumption, which is a primary determinant of environmental problems such as climate change, adverse health effects, and biodiversity loss. The course introduces students to environmental politics and policies at the local, state, national, and international levels. The course is designed to provide students with a framework for understanding how varied interests compete within political institutions in order to transform contending ideas into public policy. With that in mind, students will not only become more informed consumers of political information, but will also become more effective at analyzing and advocating for policies as it relates to the environment.
POL 329 Comparative Environmental Policy 3 Credits
Comparative Environmental Policy analyzes cross-national approaches in developing, implementing, and evaluating policy responses to environmental problems. The course analyzes the political factors, actors, and tools that help and explain why some societies have been more likely to develop effective responses to environmental threats.
POL 330 Geopolitics of Energy 3 Credits
Geopolitics of Energy Security explores the role of energy in shaping global politics, natural resource management practices and volatility in economic markets. The course begins with an overview of energy security and explores issues associated with energy production, national security, energy consumption, and environmental conservation. Throughout the course students will become familiar with basic data, trends, issues and options in the exploration and production of renewable and non-renewable energy sources.
SOC 225 Population Study 3 Credits
Demography; its definition, historical emergence, and growth; population as a social problem in developing and developed nations; population theories, sources and methods of demographic data, population composition, and distribution; demographic processes including fertility, mortality, and migration.
SOC 340 Power and Politics 3 Credits
Examines the nature and distribution of power in contemporary societies; analyzes the relationships between power and politics.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 101.
SOC 350 Social Policy 3 Credits
Investigates the relationship between economic development and social policy in comparative and historical context. The main features of preindustrial, early industrial, and advanced industrial social welfare systems are described. Social, economic and political factors that shape social policy are investigated.