Curriculum
Introduction
One of the primary functions of colleges and universities is to educate students. By training and educating future leaders, scholars, workers, and professionals; higher education institutions are uniquely positioned to understand and address sustainability challenges. Institutions that offer courses covering sustainability issues help equip their students to lead society to a sustainable future.
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Advancing Innovation through Sustainability Research and Scholarship
- Portland Community College (OR)
During this monumental time in history, it is essential to be educated, connect with good people, find hope, and discover new ways to make a difference. To do so, the …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Community Partnerships for Environmental Justice
- The New School (NY)
The Tishman Environment and Design Center at The New School is committed to environmental justice and community-academic partnerships grounded in the Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing. Using this framework, the …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Multiple Ways of Knowing in Sustainability Education: Stretching the Boundaries of Transformative Sustainability Learning
- Goucher College (MD)
This session focuses on how teaching for multiple ways of knowing can contribute to sustainability education by highlighting work done at the University of Saskatchewan which is encapsulated within two …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Better Together: Using an S Designation to Create Visible, Coherent, Trans-disciplinary Curriculum Out of What You Already Have
- University of Hawaii System Office (HI)
How the University of Hawaii ten campus system is using AASHE STARS curriculum designation criteria to transform courses across the curriculum. This session will cover all aspects of creating sustainability …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Catalyzing curricular coherence with a Sustainability Focus designation
- University of Hawaii System Office (HI)
The S Designation framework is a method of benchmarking sustainability curriculum and stimulating interdisciplinary dialogue to develop curricular coherence around topics of sustainability. The framework is an 'opt-in' process designed …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Integrating Sustainability Across Disciplines: A Step-wise Process for (Re)designing a Syllabus
- Creative Change Educational Solutions (MI)
Integrating sustainability' into a course means adapting both content and pedagogy to create a learning experience that is more interdisciplinary, experiential, and focused on authentic problem-solving. How can instructors juggle …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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A Long and Winding Path: Launching a New Embedded Certificate in Sustainability Studies at the University of Calgary
- University of Calgary (AB)
This case study examines the journey of developing a new undergraduate Embedded Certificate in Sustainability Studies at the University of Calgary. This interdisciplinary program combines theory with applied practice through …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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A Classroom of 'Cultural Creatives'?: A Values-Based Approach to Teaching About Sustainable Societies
- University of Connecticut (CT)
In their book The Cultural Creatives: How 50 Million People are Changing the World authors Paul H. Ray and Sherry Ruth Anderson present their research on the on-going values shift …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Transforming University Curriculum Policies for a Global Knowledge Society: A focus on a Chilean Context.
- University of Western Australia
University curriculum changes are moving to a centre stage in the higher education reform agendas of many countries, as they strive to strengthen their positioning in a competitive global knowledge …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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DON'T PUNT ON RECYCLING! What your recycling program can mean to your school's curriculum, eco-identity, & bottom-line!
- Loyola Marymount University (CA)
This presentation offers a macro-view lens of Sustainability Programs as one of the only truly new tools traditional fixed-sight Higher Education Administrators have to answer the dot-edu on-line degree program …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Teaching Sustainability and Social Justice Through Interprofessional Study Abroad Courses
- Western Michigan University (MI)
Experiential learning and developing on the ground knowledge of methods to advance social justice and sustainability can be crucial ways to enhance competency in sustainability for undergraduate and graduate students. …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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GreenTopics: How we Tackled Reaching Environmental Skeptics
- Western Kentucky University (KY)
Engaging students with an environmental interest is easy, but the question remains 'How can we reach the environmental skeptics?' How can we inform the students who will never step foot …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Tweeting @Sustainability: The #447challenge as an Active Teaching Tool
- University at Buffalo (NY)
Growing up, we are 'challenged' to be sustainable: turn off lights, stop cold water when brushing teeth, and unplug idle chargers. Reality proves that, while well-conceived, the environmental benefit of …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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A Fresh Start: From Soil-Grown Greenhouse to Hydroponics
- Dominican University (IL)
The study of the sciences occupy a prime place in Dominican University's curriculum. In the late 1930s, Dominican sister, Hilaire Ryan, OP built a greenhouse to provide botany students with …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Academicians: How to Teach with Paul Hawken's 'DrawDown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming'
- Oklahoma State University (OK)
Educators curious about how to adapt Paul Hawken's new book 'Drawdown' for use in the classroom (or for campus facilities and operations) should gather to share lessons learned and successful …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Developing Curriculum Around the Triple Bottom Line
- Colorado State University (CO)
This presentation is to assist faculty in developing, or revising curriculum to fit within the framework of the Triple Bottom Line in regards to addressing topics of sustainability in their …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Let's Develop a Sustainability Literacy Assessment!
- Colorado State University (CO)
Many institutions of higher education are interested in assessing their students' sustainability literacy, however developing a reliable and valid assessment tool is a difficult and time-consuming task. In this presentation …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Influences of Student Sustainability Literacy in a University Setting, A Dissertation Study
- Saint Louis University (MO)
This presentation will review the findings from a dissertation on sustainability literacy. The purpose of this study was to investigate how educational sources influence student knowledge, skills, and experiences regarding …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Sustainability skills - what are they? And how do we know students have them...
- Macquarie University (NSW)
Sustainability in the curriculum. Everyone is talking about it and wondering how you do it! Especially when you are a professional staff member entering into the world of faculty. Three …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Designing Diverse Online Learning Environments as Laboratories for Connecting Across Difference
- Peralta Community Colleges District Office (CA)
How can community college online learning environments help motivate students to connect across differences and develop capacities as change-agents for a healthier world? Drawing from her experience teaching online humanities …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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A Co Curricular Course about Sustainability, Leadership, Civic Engagement, Integrity and Interculturality
- Universidad de Monterrey
As part of UDEM´s Formative Model, every student has to take 4 co-curricular courses. From these 4 courses, one is mandatory and they can choose the other 3. META is …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Campus as Classroom at Smith College
- Smith College (MA)
This poster is a unique opportunity for attendees to engage with students who are actively using 'Campus as Classroom' methods for their respective research projects. Campus as Classroom is an …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Energizing Campuses & Communities Through More Meaningful and Applied Learning
- Skyline College (CA)
- Strategic Energy Innovations (CA)
This networking meeting is open to all campus stakeholders interested in the Energize Colleges program. Current and potential future campus partners are invited to discuss year one successes and challenges, …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Applied learning for sustainability projects: Developing high impact student-community collaborations
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Portland State University (OR)
Applied learning opportunities, from internships, to community-based learning courses to student research provide exceptional training for students in addressing complex sustainability challenges. These endeavors are mostly designed to optimize the …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Collaborative Studio Re-Imagining Wood Design and Construction
- University of Arkansas (AR)
In the face of new and shifting demands for sustainable practices imposed upon the building industry and the world of design, wood is gaining popularity as a biodegradable and renewable …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Outcomes of Collaborative Learning of Sustainable Building Design and Construction Practices
- University of Arkansas (AR)
In this second paper, the authors present the formative evaluation results from research conducted during Fall 2016 at Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas. …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Developing Community Solidarity Through Beekeeping
- Central Community College (NE)
This presentation will cover how a college beekeeping course resulted in an informed community of concerned honey bee supporters. Central Community College started a beekeeping course that drew participants from …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Implementing an Environmental Sustainability Badge Program: Best Practices for Co-Curricular Learning and Community Engagement
- Central Community College (NE)
Integrating environmental sustainability across a community college's curriculum requires more than interest from administration and faculty. Integration needs employees across the entire college capable of communicating, implementing, maintaining and modeling …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Sustainable Living: Off-Grid Tiny Hydro Powered House
- University of Hawaii Kauai Community College (HI)
One of the major challenges in modern society is providing affordable housing for the everyday person. The next level to this challenge is providing housing that is both affordable and …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Grow Native - A Plant and Pollinator Garden Catalyzes Engagement and Learning
- Dallas College (TX)
Over the past two years a small, inspired group of students, employees, community friends and alums of Brookhaven College (Dallas County Community Colleges) proposed, designed, crowd-funded, and installed a 4,000 …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Engaged Scholarship with Community Partners: What We Can Learn From our Peers' Greenhouse Gases
- Colgate University (NY)
Through the class Sustainability & Climate Action Planning for Local Government at Colgate University, students engaged in community projects, one of which aimed to benchmark the University among its peer …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Sustainability in the apparel discipline: The layers of ESRAP
- Baylor University (TX)
- University of Wyoming (WY)
Social responsibility and sustainable fashion are two topics that have emerged as prominent themes in courses within textiles and apparel curriculums around the globe. As important as these topics and …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Green Career Toolbox: Skills Workshops for More Effective/Employable SustainaStudents
- University of Virginia (VA)
This session will allow attendees to discuss some of the specific skills that make students more effective agents for social change. For example, many sustainability offices already incorporate community-based social …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Sulitest Presents "The Updated Sustainability Literacy Test"
- U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development
- KEDGE Business School (Bordeaux)
Come Experience the Updated Sustainability Literacy Test (http://www.sulitest.org). This is a fun learning and assessment tool designed to improve the quality of sustainability education. Up your STARS points by using …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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The Sulitest: How to Raise Awareness and Assess Sustainability Literacy Worldwide?
- U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development
- KEDGE Business School (Bordeaux)
This session covers how the Sulitest can be used to raise awareness of sustainability and assess sustainability literacy.
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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A Sustainable Energy Laboratory Course for Non-Science Majors
- Eastern Connecticut State University (CT)
- Trinity University (TX)
Using sustainable energy to address climate change is of growing importance as society tries to balance its energy needs while minimizing environmental impacts. To help students better understand this balance, …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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A study-away experience in Costa Rica through the eyes of students and faculty from Trinity University.
- Trinity University (TX)
Few places in the world are as biologically diverse as Costa Rica and as such it is a captivating and educational place to visit for students interested in sustainability. Trinity …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Visual Art and Poetry in Environmental Education
- Trinity University (TX)
The presenters, an artist and a poet, have co-taught several courses incorporating student production of art and poetry in environmental education. The presentation will describe and show how specific experiences …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Developing a Doctoral Program in Sustainability
- University of South Dakota (SD)
The University of South Dakota (USD) has proposed a new graduate program in sustainability that would build upon USD's existing academic and research leadership in sustainability in the state and …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Student Learning Outcomes in Sustainability Education: Faculty Participation and Measured Student Learning
- University of South Dakota (SD)
Sustainability degrees are becoming increasingly common in higher education. There are over 420 institutions now offering programs related to sustainability that range from certificates to doctoral degrees. There are at …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Utilizing the Garden to Integrate Community-Based Learning in the Classroom
- Portland Community College (OR)
The purpose of this presentation is to explore, discuss and reflect on Community-based Learning (CBL) as a form of civic education utilizing a school learning garden or community garden. CBL …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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North Carolina State University: Performance, LEED, and the Arc Platform
- U.S. Green Building Council (DC)
This panel will present a case study on the experience of the North Carolina State University leveraging the Arc Platform and the performance approach as part of their LEED lab …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Growing the BULB; Urban Ecology and Butler University's Living Building
- Butler University (IN)
- Hellmuth + Bicknese Architects (MO)
The BULB sits at the highest and most iconic location on campus adjacent to Holcomb Observatory and within 100' of the Carillon Tower which connects to an 'organ' at the …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Engaging Students in Sustainability through High-Impact Teaching Practices: Two Case Studies
- Saint Joseph's College - ME (ME)
- University of North Carolina, Pembroke (NC)
This session (1) describes activities at diverse institutions to involve and instruct students in sustainability and (2) engages audience members in sharing experiences, identifying barriers to success, brainstorming solutions, and …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Sustainability: Formative Assessments Across the Curriculum
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WI)
Formative Assessments are the cog in the wheel of the educational assessment cycle. These assessments drive daily instruction, before, during and after instruction, informing the teacher of student understanding and …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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The Mindful Praxis of Education for Sustainable Development
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WI)
This longitudinal inquiry involving 250 teacher candidates per year for five years, explores methods that motivate teacher candidates to create and integrate mindful sustainability curriculum in practice. Elementary and secondary …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Using Contemplative Practices to Cultivate Resilient Students and Social-Ecological Systems
- Michigan State University (MI)
- University of North Carolina, Asheville (NC)
This joint session will offer two presentations on the uses of contemplative practices and mindfulness-based pedagogy for teaching about environmental sustainability. Topic 1 (Goralnik): If sustainability is the effort to …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Best Practices Incorporating Sustainability into the Curricula/ Dallas County Community College District
- Dallas College (TX)
The 7 colleges that are part of the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) signed the ACUPCC/ Second Nature President's Climate Commitment and have set dates for carbon neutrality. Since …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Re-generation: Regenerate, Renew, and Refresh - Preparing Our Students to Lead
- Montana State University (MT)
Our graduates, coined the Re-Generation, has the responsibility to lead the world to a economical and ecological balance. To do this, they will draw on their campus experience to help …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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How a New Learning Lab Becomes a Continuous Career Fair and Sustainability Jobs Hub
- Sacramento City College (CA)
- Trane (TX)
The Sacramento City College Mechanical Electrical Technology (MET) Program has been in place for decades. In recent years, enrollment has leveled off but local industry still has a relative high …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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This tab provides access to data collected through AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS). STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS enables meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions using a common set of measurements developed with broad participation from the campus sustainability community.
All responses reference content from reports under the latest version of STARS, version 2.2. AASHE membership and log-in is required.
AC 1: Academic Courses
- Percentage of courses that are sustainability course offerings
- Percentage of academic departments with sustainability course offerings
- Inventory of sustainability course offerings (upload)
- Website URL - Sustainability course offerings
AC 2: Learning Outcomes
- Description of institution level sustainability learning outcomes
- List of degree programs that require an understanding of the concept of sustainability
- Percentage of students who graduate from programs that require an understanding of sustainability
- Website URL - Sustainability learning outcomes
AC 3: Undergraduate Program
- First sustainability-focused undergraduate degree program
- Second sustainability-focused undergraduate degree program
- Third sustainability-focused undergraduate degree program
- First sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration
- Second sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration
- Third sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration
AC 4: Graduate Program
- First sustainability-focused graduate-level degree program
- Second sustainability-focused graduate-level degree program
- Third sustainability-focused graduate-level degree program
- First sustainability-focused graduate-level minor or concentration
- Second sustainability-focused graduate-level minor or concentration
- Third sustainability-focused graduate-level minor or concentration
AC 5: Immersive Experience
- Description of the sustainability-focused immersive program(s)
- Second sustainability-focused graduate-level degree program
- Third sustainability-focused graduate-level degree program
AC 6: Sustainability Literacy Assessment
- Copy of the sustainability literacy assessment (upload)
- Copy of the sustainability literacy assessment (description)
- Website URL - Assessment of sustainability literacy
AC 7: Incentives for Developing Courses
- Description of the course development incentives
- Website URL - Incentives for developing sustainability courses
AC 8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.