Introduction to Environment & Sustainability

Course Description

Survey of environment and sustainability from four perspectives: environmental sciences, development and economy, equity and justice, and ethics and aesthetics. Local, global, ethical, and experiential dimensions help prepare students for subsequent coursework in environmental and sustainability studies. Intended for current and prospective majors and minors.

Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

  1. define selected keywords in sustainability

  2. discuss sustainability from environmental, economic, equity, & esthetic perspectives

  3. relate ethics to sustainability as a whole and in its various perspectives

  4. demonstrate the local and global connections of sustainability

  5. develop academic goals and plans related to Environment & Sustainability curricula

  6. build connections between self and community

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure

Percentage/Points

Quizzes (SLOs 1 & 2)

25%

Test (SLOs 1 & 2)

25%

Writing (SLOs 1, 2, 3, & 4)

20%

Engagement & Attendance (SLOs 5 & 6)

30%

Grading Scale

Percentage

Letter Grade

100

A

92

A-

88

B+

85

B

82

B-

78

C+

75

C

72

C-

68

D+

65

D

62

D-

0

F

Attendance/Participation:

You are required to attend classes. Three absences (without a major medical excuse) will result in lowering your final grade by one full letter grade (e.g. from A- to B- or from C+ to D+); every subsequent absence will result in lowering by another letter, with the result that after 6 absences you will fail the course, regardless of your other grades.

You may be withdrawn from the course if you do not attend and do not communicate about your absences.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

No course materials are required.

Scholarly Perspectives

This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.