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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Food, Ethics and Sustainability Discussion Activity
- EcoChallenge.org (OR)
Active, personally relevant learning is at the heart of an effective education.
This activity takes participants through a process of exploring sustainability
through small group discussion and personal reflection designed …
- Posted April 11, 2016
- Course Materials
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Toward Instruments of Assessing Sustainability Knowledge: Assessment development, process, and results from a pilot survey at the University of Maryland
- University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
Colleges and universities strive to educate all students for a sustainable future; however, few institutions assess students’ knowledge of sustainability concepts. Hundreds of institutions are currently measuring their overall sustainability …
- Posted April 11, 2016
- Publications
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Education for sustainability in business education programs: a question of value
This paper posits that sustainability is essentially a question of value, a notion that is situated within the context of an individual, organisational and community perspective. Each person or group …
- Posted April 11, 2016
- Publications
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Undergrad Perspectives: The Business of Changing the World
- Net Impact (CA)
Net Impact surveyed 1,650 undergraduate students on their beliefs about the current state of business, the role they see themselves playing in improving the world through their careers, and whether …
- Posted April 11, 2016
- Publications
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Building a Sustainability Road Map for Engineering Education
Major environmental, economic, and social trends are transforming the application of sustainability thinking within the engineering profession and within organizations that hire engineers. These include the growing demand for new …
- Posted April 11, 2016
- Publications
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Business Skills for a Changing World: An Assessment of What Global Companies Need from Business Schools
- Net Impact (CA)
The World Environment Center and Net Impact partnered to identify the core skills needed by business school students to prepare them better for future employment in companies with strong sustainability …
- Posted April 11, 2016
- Publications
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Culture of Disengagement in Engineering Education?
- Rice University (TX)
Much has been made of the importance of training ethical, socially conscious engineers, but does US engineering education actually encourage neophytes to take seriously their professional responsibility to public welfare? …
- Posted April 11, 2016
- Publications
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Missing the wood for the trees: systemic defects and the future of education for sustainable development
The division in approaches to education for sustainable development (ESD) as described by Vare and Scott is revisited. A strong bias in ESD towards personal behaviour change and aspirations to …
- Posted April 11, 2016
- Publications
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Learning and Teaching Academic Standards Statement for Environment and Sustainability
The Learning and Teaching Academic Standards Statement for Environment and Sustainability has been developed by the environment and sustainability higher education community. This statement describes the minimum or threshold learning …
- Posted April 7, 2016
- Publications
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Lecturers’ perspectives on how introductory economic courses address sustainability
Purpose
– The purpose of this article is to explore sustainability commitments’ potential implications for the curriculum of introductory economics courses. Universities have signed the Talloires Declaration, committing themselves to …
- Posted April 7, 2016
- Publications
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The Efficient Drowning of a Nation: Is Economics Education Warping Gifted Minds and Eroding Human Prospects?
Humanity has put itself in great peril, as the impending demise of the nation of Kiribati due to global warming illustrates. This failure to act is in part due to …
- Posted April 7, 2016
- Publications
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Introductory economics courses and the university’s commitments to sustainability
- University of British Columbia (BC)
The three largest public universities in British Columbia, Canada have signed the Talloires Declaration, committing themselves to promoting students’ environmental literacy and ecological citizenship. As a result, there is pressure …
- Posted April 7, 2016
- Publications
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Teaching (un)sustainability? University sustainability commitments and student experiences of introductory economics
The three largest public universities in British Columbia, Canada have signed the Talloires Declaration, committing themselves to promoting sustainability and creating expectations that they will integrate sustainability across the curriculum …
- Posted April 7, 2016
- Publications
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Sustainability in the Curriculum and Teaching of Economics: Transforming Introductory Macroeconomics
- Bridgewater State University (MA)
Present models of economic growth primarily focus on the role of expenditures as captured in the commonly cited economic indicator, gross domestic product (GDP), where GDP is defined as the …
- Posted April 7, 2016
- Publications
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Introductory economics textbooks: what do they teach about sustainability?
In response to accelerating ecological deterioration, many universities have made commitments to integrate sustainability across the curriculum and to ensure they graduate ecologically responsible citizens. This study involves a content …
- Posted April 7, 2016
- Publications
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The Need for Social Ethics in Interdisciplinary Environmental Science Graduate Programs: Results from a Nation-Wide Survey in the United States
- Michigan State University (MI)
- Oregon State University (OR)
Professionals in environmental fields engage with complex problems that involve stakeholders with different values, different forms of knowledge, and contentious decisions. There is increasing recognition of the need to train …
- Posted April 3, 2016
- Publications
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Bachelor in Marine & Environmental Science
- Hampton University (VA)
Program includes a rigorous curriculum covering subject matters related to marine & environmental science, such as geology, biology, physics, chemistry, and more. Students enrolled in the program will receive real …
- Posted April 1, 2016
- Academic Programs
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Environmental Science and Environmental Law Degrees
A degree in Environmental Law is just that, it isn't a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD, it is a “doctor of Law”, or Juris Doctor (JD). You may also see the …
- Posted March 31, 2016
- Tools
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Pursuing Sustainability: A guide to the science and practice
- Harvard University (MA)
- Stanford University (CA)
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
The book Pursuing Sustainability suggests that the ultimate determinants of intergenerational well-being should be thought of as the stocks of assets on which people now draw and will draw in …
- Posted March 31, 2016
- Publications
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Learner-Centered Teaching Activities for Environmental and Sustainability Studies
The broad goal of this volume from Springer International Publishing is to help advance environmental education practices that help increase students’ environmental literacy through learner-centered teaching activities.
- Posted March 29, 2016
- Publications
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MBA - Sustainability Concentration
- University of Houston - Clear Lake (TX)
With an MBA degree, students can pursue higher learning and key management opportunities in a wide variety of disciplines. Includes concentrations in sustainability and environmental management.
- Posted March 25, 2016
- Academic Programs
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MS in Environmental, Health & Safety Management
- Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)
The MS degree in environmental, health and safety management curriculum provides a solid foundation in the managerial aspects of developing and implementing environmental, health and safety management systems that can …
- Posted March 25, 2016
- Academic Programs
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Minor in Environmental Studies
- St. Mary's College of Maryland (MD)
The Environmental Studies Program prepares students to address complex environmental problems requiring knowledge and skills from multiple science, social science, and humanities disciplines.
- Posted March 25, 2016
- Academic Programs
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BA in Environmental Studies
- St. Mary's College of Maryland (MD)
The Environmental Studies Program prepares students to address complex environmental problems requiring knowledge and skills from multiple science, social science, and humanities disciplines.
- Posted March 25, 2016
- Academic Programs
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The Responsible Business Person: Studies of Business Education for Sustainability
The Södertörn University doctoral dissertation, The Responsible Business Person: Studies of Business Education for Sustainability, by Pernilla Andersson, identifies the roles of a responsible business person that are articulated in …
- Posted March 15, 2016
- Publications
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Boston University Institute for Sustainable Energy
- Boston University (MA)
The Institute for Sustainable Energy is a university-wide center for research, academic program enhancement, and engagement with industry and the energy policy community.
We work with faculty in many departments …
- Posted March 8, 2016
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Dr. David Orr Presents AASHE 2015 Monday Keynote Address
- Oberlin College (OH)
- AASHE (MA)
Dr. David Orr, Oberlin 2020 Project founder and Senior Adviser to the President at Oberlin College, spoke on the AASHE 2015 conference theme, Transforming Sustainability Education.
- Posted March 3, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
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Transformational Model of Principles for Responsible Management Education Implementation
The Transformational Model for Principles for Responsible Management Education Implementation is a guide on how to systemically approach the implementation of Principles for Responsible Management Education, taking into consideration the …
- Posted March 3, 2016
- Publications
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The Campus as a Living Laboratory: Using the Built Environment to Revitalize College Education
- American Association of Community Colleges (DC)
- U.S. Green Building Council (DC)
As community colleges redesign and retrofit campuses in greener ways, many forward-thinking institutions are using these projects as hands-on learning opportunities for students. These so-called “living laboratories” merge academics and …
- Posted March 3, 2016
- Publications
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A Guide to Climate Resiliency & The Community College
- American Association of Community Colleges (DC)
Too many municipalities are crafting climate adaption and resiliency plans without community colleges as partners. Yet, community colleges are positioned to be powerful partners in implementing a holistic local response …
- Posted March 3, 2016
- Publications
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The Sustainability Literacy Test (Sulitest)
- United Nations Environment Programme
- KEDGE Business School (Bordeaux)
The Sulitest is a tool for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to assess and verify the sustainability literacy of their students when they graduate. It assesses the level knowledge in economic, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Tools
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Transforming Sustainability Education through Mindfulness, Movement, and Creativity
- Portland State University (OR)
This workshop will share how we have implemented contemplative practices (including meditation/mindfulness, body movement, visualization, and creativity) within student sustainability leadership programs. In addition, the session will be experiential in …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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An Overview of Innovative Interdisciplinary Sustainability Degree Programs
- University of Virginia (VA)
This case study examines innovative degree programs that create unusual disciplinary alliances with sustainability. Integrating sustainability across the curriculum is an important goal for AASHE members. While many universities have …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Integrating Sustainability into All Study Abroad Programming
- Concordia College (NY)
Two current priorities in higher education are global learning/study abroad and sustainability. These fit together uneasily; in fact they seem often to be in tension with one another. Students are …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Sustainability Across the Curriculum: Fostering Enthusiasm by Making it Real for Faculty and Students!
- Fleming College (ON)
Is adding sustainability to the curriculum new work for faculty? This case study will demonstrate how we discovered that many sustainability elements are already being brought into the classroom – …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Using Case Studies and Case-based Instruction to Teach Sustainability
- Colorado State University (CO)
Complexity is reality-in the world, in our communities, relationships, and our classrooms-and even more so when emotions run high. Mention climate change or use the adjective 'green' to describe a …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Recycling at a Higher Education Institution: Case Study of a Successful Program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City
- University of Missouri, Kansas City (MO)
The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) has been offering educational programs in waste management and environmental science for about 25 years and has recently added a sustainability minor to its …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Sustainability Course Designation: Values and Best Practices
- Dickinson College (PA)
Dickinson is leading the way in integrating sustainability across the curriculum. As an innovative liberal arts college, over 96% of our Class of '15 students have taken sustainability-focused and related …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Generating Hope and Agency in Education for Sustainability Through Communities of Praxis
- Manhattanville College (NY)
Recently, the Journal for Sustainability Education has called for research on education practices that generate hope and agency in our students and work against hopelessness. Dr. Tina Evans reminds us …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Designing and Assessing Sustainability Learning Outcomes
- Portland State University (OR)
How can we ensure that our educational offerings lead to sustainability competencies? This workshop will support participants in designing learning outcomes (LOs) and assessment plans. The presenters' diverse perspectives make …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Teaching Systemic Sustainability through a Local Lens: A Minnesota Experience in Engaging Students with the Greater Community
- Prescott College (AZ)
One critical component of sustainability education is to help students understand the interconnectedness of environmental and social justice issues. The intersection of sustainability education, service learning, and social justice offers …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Transforming Student Leadership in Sustainability through Integrative Learning
- University of South Carolina (SC)
Pressure is mounting for institutions to graduate students in four years with jobs. As professionals in higher education, how do we help students turn their academic content into currency? The …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Retention, Graduate Rates, and Sustainability Literacy
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (IL)
In the current climate of increased governmental oversight of higher education and fiscal downturns, retention and graduation rates are being emphasized as key markers of an institution's success. Meanwhile, individual …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Assessing the Kinnickinnick Project at River Falls: Sustainability Curriculum Transformation at Five Years
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WI)
After five years of Sustainability Fellows Workshops, the sustainability curriculum at UWRF has grown to prominence with its own identity as The Kinnickinnick Project (named after the River Falls' local …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Professor Sustainability Coordinator': Maximizing the Potential of the Multiple Roles of the Sustainability Professional
- Bowling Green State University (OH)
Question: Where does the line between full-time Sustainability Professional and Faculty Member teaching about sustainability begin? Answer: There is no line! This case study presents a successful model for strengthening …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Sustainability Education: A Pedagogy of Complexity
- Ohio University (OH)
College graduates entering the work force increasingly are confronted with 'wicked' sustainability issues regardless of profession. In response, models of instruction that transcend disciplinary boundaries are emerging in higher education …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Sustainability Blitz for a Rapid Diffusion Across the Curriculum
- Skyline College (CA)
- Strategic Energy Innovations (CA)
The time is now for addressing sustainability education across the curriculum. While there remain plenty of barriers to doing so – overburdened faculty, lack of interdisciplinary coordination, misaligned incentive structures …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Fostering Change through a Team-Taught First Year Sustainable Living and Learning Community
- Hobart and William Smith Colleges (NY)
This session will overview the goals, structure, and implementation of a unique two-semester sustainability learning community for first year students at a liberal arts college in upstate New York. A …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Achieving Sustainability-related Employment- How School of Sustainability at ASU achieves success in employment for graduates.
- Arizona State University (AZ)
The desired end result is career employment for graduates with degrees in sustainability. Yet we continually hear that green jobs and opportunities are limited and stagnant at best. At the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Experiential, Community-based Learning and Sustainability Assessment: A Field Skills Course for Professional Degree Students
- University of Saskatchewan (SK)
In 2014, the School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, launched a week-long field course for its professional Master of Sustainable Environmental Management program. Previously separate ecological and social …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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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.