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.
Featured Resources
Latest News from AASHE Bulletin
New Resources
Channel Sustainability: Applying & Sharing though Video Projects
- Indiana University South Bend (IN)
How better to teach students about an interdisciplinary topic such as sustainability than by using an interdisciplinary approach to assignments? Integrating video projects and assignments in courses as well as …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
AMS Partnerships to Raise Scientific Literacy
- American Meteorological Society (DC)
Collaborations are key to success and have allowed the American Meteorological Society to expand or enhance geoscience literacy curricula, including courses featuring sustainability, at hundreds of post-secondary institutions throughout the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Campuses as Living Laboratories for Sustainable Communities
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
- Portland State University (OR)
- EcoDistricts (OR)
How can universities use ecodistricts to create transformational change in the campus setting? What are the key roles for academic institutions to accelerate sustainable neighborhood development in their communities? This …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Fostering sustainability leadership
- Portland State University (OR)
Complex sustainability challenges require new values, skills, structures, and ultimately, a new leadership paradigm. Since higher education currently plays an important role in leadership development (Eich, 2008), it thus has …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Design Thinking & Sustainability Problem Solving: Reconceptualizing the First Year Curriculum
- Wesleyan College (GA)
- EcoEthos Solutions (GA)
Key behavioral outcomes for Education for Sustainability are: an ability use a sustainability lens to identify and solve complex human-centered problems and empowering students to thrive in a rapidly changing …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
A Model for Integrating Sustainability within Global Studies
- University of Virginia (VA)
Integrating sustainability across the curriculum is an important goal for AASHE members engaged in teaching and academic administration. While many disciplines and departments have been receptive to this change, others …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Content & pedagogy framework: To embed sustainability in curriculum
- Macquarie University (NSW)
As the sustainability movement gains greater momentum within the tertiary education space, institutions are increasingly asking the question of how sustainability goes beyond campus operations to be embedded more holistically …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sustainability in Gen Ed After 1 Year: Assessment and Challenges
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (WI)
In Fall 2013, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh initiated a new general education program called the University Studies Program (USP) that incorporated sustainability as one of its three “signature questions.” …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Building a Living Learning Community: Big Problems and Big Success
- University of Minnesota, Duluth (MN)
’A sustainability-themed living/learning community is a bad idea. This sort of thing has been tried before. It was a failure then, and this will be no different.’ This was the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Food Systems Education: New Approaches for a Global Scope
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
The University of Minnesota-- Twin Cities is home to several innovative courses in food systems. Despite differences in mode and focus of instruction, a key commonality among these courses is …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Student Workers Building Sustainable Communities
- Evergreen State College, The (WA)
The Evergreen State College has a unique student worker program in its residence halls since its founding in 1971. Students work with professional staff to perform the custodial and maintenance …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Education for Sustainability at UNAM
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (DF)
- Environmental Leadership Program (MD)
The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) contributes to the formation of new generations, providing a vision that allows them to build multidisciplinary solutions for increasingly large and complex problems, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Food Systems Northwest: A collaborative traveling summer course
- University of Puget Sound (WA)
- Willamette University (OR)
Around the country, scholars are beginning to recognize the centrality of food and agriculture in questions of sustainability, social justice, economic development, and international affairs (Poppendleck, 2000; Hinrichs 2003; Werkerle, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Using campus farms to engage students in experiential learning
- Linfield College (OR)
- Linn-Benton Community College (OR)
- Pacific University (OR)
- Portland State University (OR)
- Willamette University (OR)
Growing food on college campuses is deeply rooted in many institutions of higher learning. There are many reasons for engaging in food production at these institutions and these reasons change …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Co-Creating Education for the Future: Constructing Highly Effective Programs in Sustainability Studies
- University of North Carolina, Greensboro (NC)
- Littleglobe (NM)
Institutions of higher education are transforming their curriculum to better equip students for the complex challenges of the 21st Century and beyond. In this concurrent session workshop, faculty, students, and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Studying Sustainability Studies: A Comparative Analysis of 42 U.S. Degree Programs
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
What does a degree in Sustainability Studies look like? Institutions of higher education are in the process of transforming their academic offerings to better equip students for the complex challenges …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sustainable Buildings and Infrastructure: The Campus as a Living Lab
- California State University, East Bay (CA)
In 2012-13, the Provost of the California State University, East Bay (CSUEB) funded an innovative program to engage campus faculty, staff, and students in Programmatic Excellence and Innovation in Learning …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Curricular Engagement in Building Sustainable Communities
- Dickinson College (PA)
Dickinson College is leading the way in integrating sustainability across the curriculum. As an innovative liberal arts college, over 90% of our graduating students are taking sustainability-focused and related courses …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Minding the Gap: Connecting Academic and Operational Sustainability
- Appalachian State University (NC)
- North Carolina State University (NC)
- University of North Carolina, Greensboro (NC)
This workshop considers three different models currently in practice to bridge operational and academic sustainability in the University of North Carolina (UNC) system. An interactive beginning will lay the groundwork …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Integrating Sustainability- the Land Grant University Lesson
- College of Charleston (SC)
Programs in sustainable agriculture do more than teach how to farm sustainably. They actually expand and deepen the understanding of many dimensions of sustainability. When a sustainable agriculture curriculum is …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Blending Sociology and Environmental Science at a Community College
- Highline Community College (WA)
We developed and co-taught a coordinated study class combining Sociology 101 and Environmental Science 101 at Highline Community College. In this class, we explored the foundations and intricacies of the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Permaculture pedagogy: Critically engaging students through place
- Portland State University (OR)
The Learning Gardens Laboratory (LGL) is a 4-acre garden-education site in southeast Portland that facilitates hands-on and place-based education in sustainable gardening, healthy nutrition, and permaculture design for k-12, college …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Designing and Assessing Learning Outcomes in Co-curricular Sustainability Programs
- Portland State University (OR)
In recent years, co-curricular sustainability programs have been established at many higher education institutions. However, few such programs have developed learning outcomes (LOs) or assessment processes to measure the types …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Creative Strategies at the Nexus of Academics & Operations
- U.S. Green Building Council (DC)
- Purdue University (IN)
In order for campuses to achieve climate neutrality and reach a future state of sustainability and resiliency, more attention needs to be paid to existing facilities and infrastructure. However, this …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Assembling a canon for graduate curriculum in sustainability science
- Saint Louis University (MO)
Sustainability is vast in the intellectual domains it covers. While such breadth engenders its appeal to diverse interests, this same universality confounds operationalizing sustainability into a graduate curriculum. In this …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Developing partnerships with students around energy use: the role of energy literacy
- Simon Fraser University (BC)
- University of Plymouth (Devon)
Carbon reduction and climate change are key agendas in UK higher education (HE), as they are internationally. Existing research has highlighted the importance of developing partnerships for sustainable development in …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Knowing is not Enough: Linking Behavior to Knowledge and Other Factors
- The Ohio State University (OH)
Efforts to promote sustainability literacy come naturally to many colleges and universities, as imparting knowledge is part of the core mission of higher education. But “sustainability across the curriculum,” sustainability …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Campus as a Living Lab
- California State University, Chancellor's Office (CA)
- Central New Mexico Community College (NM)
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
- Portland State University (OR)
Current research demonstrates that when real world problems are infused into education, students become more engaged in learning. Students in all disciplines can benefit from courses that introduce elements of …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Saving Lives: Using Art Curriculum To Reduce Bird Collisions On Campus and in Philadelphia
- Temple University (PA)
This session will provide a case study of how graphic design faculty used an experiential learning project to engage art students on sustainability while also aiding the university in addressing …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
The Impact of Education for Sustainability
- Green Mountain College (VT)
To justify the integration of sustainability education (EfS) across the curriculum and co-curriculum, we need better information about its impact on student engagement and on graduates’ life choices. In fall …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Training Students for Sustainability Practice – Curriculum v2.0
- Philadelphia University (PA)
Six years ago we launched a professionally-oriented undergraduate curriculum that confers a bachelors degree in Environmental Sustainability. Over the last year we have undertaken a critical review of this curriculum …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sustainable Design: Student Challenges with the Creative Process
- Daemen University (NY)
Effective design process requires collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving skills applied to the challenges in our local and global communities. As we seek sustainable solutions, we must consider the long-term impacts …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Teaching Sustainability: Perspectives from the Humanities and Social Sciences
- Earlham College (IN)
- Luther College (IA)
- Rice University (TX)
- Stephen F. Austin State University (TX)
- Wells College (NY)
- Willamette University (OR)
The purpose of this session is to provide an informal discussion forum for faculty teaching in the humanities and sciences who are engaged in integrating sustainability into their courses. Each …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Developing a Campus Living Lab: Community College and University Solutions
- California State University, Chancellor's Office (CA)
- Central New Mexico Community College (NM)
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
- Portland State University (OR)
- American Association of Community Colleges (DC)
As community colleges and universities redesign and retrofit their campuses in more sustainable ways, institutions should use these projects as experiential learning opportunities for students and research opportunities for faculty. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sustainability across the Curriculum: Promising Strategies
- Skagit Valley College (WA)
- Evergreen State College, The (WA)
- University of Puget Sound (WA)
- Western Washington University (WA)
- Whatcom Community College (WA)
If sustainability perspectives and practices are to become part of college graduates’ thinking, they must start appearing "across the curriculum" in ways that are not only meaningful for students; sustainability …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
The Sustainability Semester: From Individual to Community Action
- Goshen College (IN)
- Michigan State University (MI)
Each fall, students from various colleges and universities move to the Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College to participate in a Sustainability Semester. For the duration of the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
How do the arts and culture fit in the undergraduate sustainability curricula?
- Pacific Lutheran University (WA)
- University of Puget Sound (WA)
How do the arts and culture fit in to sustainability curricula? This briefing will inform participants about efforts to highlight and increase the role of arts and culture in Xavier …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Broadening the Definition of Campus: Creating a Collaborative Place to Live & Learn to Reinvent a Sustainable Future with Innovation Districts
- Oklahoma State University (OK)
- Via Suzuki Architecture (WA)
How can we be relevant? How can a town and gown community create a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem that fosters genuine green innovation, house & grow students to become game changers, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Connect curriculum & co-curriculum to assess engagement campus-wide
- Portland State University (OR)
Student learning occurs in a variety of ways and in a variety of places on campus. However, most measurements of student learning and engagement around sustainability are assessed separately for …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
A Methodology for Sustainability in Higher Learning
- Concordia University Irvine (CA)
Our presentation will be an in-depth look at the Sustainable Curriculum Project recently conducted at Concordia University in Montréal. Concordia is a leader in championing innovative initiatives. The University provides …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Teaching and Learning for a Zero Waste Future
- DePauw University (IN)
The global materials economy is a fundamental driver of all of our most serious and urgent crises: climate change, toxic pollution, biodiversity loss, poverty, and injustice. This economic system rests …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Utilization of Experiential Learning: An interdisciplinary Approach to Teaching Sustainability Concepts
- Morehouse College (GA)
The intersection of humanities, business, and science cultivates the area of the triple bottom line of sustainability. The purpose of this session is to demonstrate the application of pedagogy in …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Students Learning Sustainable Practices in Organizations
- Morehouse College (GA)
The purpose of this poster session is to display how the utilization of an impactful pedagogy, case study method can bring interesting, real world situations in the classroom. A case …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
LEED vs. Green Globes: An engaged scholarship approach to advancing campus green building policy
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
This study examines the value of student engagement in the advancement of green building policies by colleges and universities. The integration of sustainability practices into the design and construction of …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Cross-Disciplinary, Student-led Sustainability Projects that Build Engagement and Realize Core Learning Outcomes
- Portland Community College (OR)
This presentation will share highlights from projects which seek to support instructors in the development and implementation of sustainability curriculum thereby increasing student engagement and improving their knowledge, skills and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Scan, Link, Learn: Campus Arboretum as Living Lab
- Purdue University (IN)
The Purdue Arboretum is a campus landscape arboretum that began as an idea in late 2008 to recreate the Purdue campus as a living laboratory. The mission of the Purdue …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Global Sustainability for Social Justice
- Santa Clara University (CA)
Santa Clara University’s Food & Agribusiness Institute (FAI) offers a unique approach to immersion trips; they are designed differently than other trips sponsored by universities, and even from other immersion …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Engaging Faculty in Sustainability
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (IL)
To achieve a truly sustainable campus, expertise from all corners of campus needs to be brought together, while providing learning opportunities for students. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) and the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Developing Green Revolving Funds to Reduce Environmental Footprint
- Sustainable Endowments Institute (MA)
This discussion will explore how students have created green revolving funds on their campuses and the tips and tricks they suggest to other students that are interesting in creating such …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Community Engagement Through the Arts
- Transylvania University (KY)
This presentation will focus on “Community Engagement Through the Arts” (CETA), a course we teach at Transylvania University in Lexington, KY with the stated goal of creating and maintaining sustainable …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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.