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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Key competencies in sustainability: a reference framework for academic program development
- Arizona State University (AZ)
The emerging academic field focused on sustainability has been engaged in a rich and converging debate to define what key competencies are considered critical for graduating students to possess. For …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Sustainability Curriculum in Higher Education: A Call to Action
- AASHE (MA)
This report is a culmination of the ideas presented during AASHE’s Summit on Sustainability in the Curriculum to address how higher education institutions can further infuse sustainability topics into college …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Cross-Border Carbon Footprints: University Study Abroad and Carbon Offsetting Programs
- American University (DC)
The progress made in the past decade in incorporating higher education institutions into the carbon emissions reduction equation is remarkable. Organizations like the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Real-world learning opportunities in sustainability: from classroom into the real world
Academic sustainability programs aim to develop key competencies in sustainability, including problem-solving skills and the ability to collaborate successfully with experts and stakeholders. These key competencies may be most fully …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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The Franklin Sustainability Report
- Franklin University Switzerland (Ticino)
The capstone course for Environmental Studies followed a case-study approach to examine the interdisciplinary nature of environmental issues. As students in out final semesters at Franklin College, we were asked …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Shifting from Saying to Doing: Evaluation of an Environmental Course Designed to Create Environmental Change Agents
- Tufts University (MA)
This study evaluated a semester-long environmental course designed to enable students to become environmental change agents. Sixteen undergraduate students self-selected into the program course, which integrated social science-focused materials with …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Sustainability and the Western Civilization Curriculum: Reflections on Cross-pollinating the Humanities and Environmental History
- Willamette University (OR)
Standard Western civilizations curricula of the premodern period, while ably incorporating postcolonial, feminist, and ethnic studies scholarship, reflect virtually nothing of the larger cultural consciousness regarding sustainability or the critiques …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Sustainability and Higher Business Education: Is Investing in Teaching Sustainability Worthwhile?
- Roger Williams University (RI)
This report is designed to review a variety of professional articles and academic journals in an attempt to give executives at business schools the groundwork to decide if including sustainability …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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The Sustainable Learning Community: One University’s Journey to the Future
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
University communities have the potential to serve as models in the development and application of sustainability principles and practices, not only by what they teach and study, but also by …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Appropedia as a Tool for Service Learning in Sustainable Development
Numerous studies have demonstrated that university students are capable of contributing to sustainable development while improving their academic skills. Unfortunately for many institutions, the expense of sending large cohorts of …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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147 Practical Tips for Teaching Sustainability: Connecting the Environment, the Economy, and Society
- Colorado State University (CO)
All who work with sustainability issues realize that it is a community project. We must decide collectively about the earth and its future. As a community — be it a …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Teaching Environmental Literacy: Across Campus and Across the Curriculum
To prepare today's students to meet growing global environmental challenges, colleges and universities must make environmental literacy a core learning goal for all students, in all disciplines. But what should …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Jumping from the Ivory Tower: Weaving Environmental Leadership and Sustainable Communities
- Front Range Community College, Larimer Campus (CO)
Jumping from the Ivory Tower demonstrates the positive results that occur when colleges work with communities to develop students with a sense of place. The book examines the role of …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Going Beyond Green: Integrating Sustainability into the Marketing Curriculum
- California State University, Sacramento (CA)
- Western Washington University (WA)
Teaching sustainable marketing practices requires that curricula advocate a “triple bottom line” approach to personal and marketing decision making, emphasizing requirements for a sustainable lifestyle, company, economy, and society. These …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Carbon Neutrality Makes the Grade
Business schools are enlisting students' help in developing their own carbon-neutral schemes, and they may develop leaders of tomorrow's sustainable economies.
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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The relationship of pedagogy and students' understanding of environment in environmental education
- University of Technology Sydney
This study has two main findings. First, the pedagogy of environmental education has strong classification and framing (after Bernstein 1971) that supports the objectification of the environment. Second, there is …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Education for sustainable development at the university level: Interactions of the need for community, fear of indoctrination, and the demands of work
- Florida State University (FL)
The goal of this study was to describe the factors that influence education for sustainable development (ESD) in American universities. Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) was employed as the theoretical …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Goal setting for sustainability: a new method of environmental education
- Murdoch University (Western Australia)
If current environmental problems are to be addressed and future environmental problems are to be prevented, significant changes are needed in the way people live. Environmental education has been identified …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Integrating Sustainability in the Learning Community
- Second Nature (MA)
Buildings have a significant impact on the environment, accounting for one-sixth of the world’s freshwater withdrawals, one-quarter of its wood harvest, and two-fifths of its material and energy, leaving a …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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The Sustainability Curriculum: The Challenge for Higher Education
The links between education and sustainable development are deepening, although subject to much controversy and debate. The success of the sustainability discourse depends both on the pedagogic and research functions …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Higher Education and the Challenge of Sustainability: Problematics, Promise, and Practice
Sustainability challenges universities around the world to rethink their missions and to re-structure their courses, research programs, and life on campus. Graduates are increasingly exposed to notions of sustainability, which …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Recreating the university from within: Sustainability and transformation in higher education
- University of British Columbia (BC)
Universities around the globe have signed international declarations and agreements that recognize the importance of higher education in creating a more sustainable future. These agreements oblige universities to integrate sustainability …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Earth In Mind: On Education, Environment, and the Human Prospect
The author begins by establishing the grounds for a debate about education and knowledge. He describes the problems of education from an ecological perspective, and challenges the "terrible simplifiers" who …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Sustainability on Campus: Stories and Strategies for Change
- Emory University (GA)
- San Diego State University (CA)
In Sustainability on Campus campus leaders recount inspiring stories of strategies that moved eighteen colleges and universities toward a more sustainable future. This book is for faculty, students, administrators, staff, …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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The Critical Role of Higher Education in Creating a Sustainable Future
- Second Nature (MA)
For the first time in history, humans are pervasive and dominant forces in the health and well-being of the earth and its inhabitants. We are the first generation capable of …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Educating Citizens: Preparing America's Undergraduates for Lives of Moral and Civic Responsibility
There is increasing attention to the idea that colleges and universities should help students become more informed, thoughtful, and engaged citizens who are prepared to navigate a complex world. These …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Student Inquiries into Neglected Research for a Sustainable Society: Communication and Application
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
By applying the interdisciplinary approach of Science, Technology & Society, students can solve often-neglected research problems of shifting society's operation towards a sustainable state. A recent Penn State University student …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Issues regarding sustainable agriculture as perceived by upper level undergraduate students involved in a student managed farm at Iowa State University
- Iowa State University (IA)
The purpose of this study was to identify the perceptions of agriculture students regarding sustainable agriculture practices, issues related to sustainable agriculture and learning/teaching processes. These students were enrolled in …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Teaching Sustainability at Universities: Towards curriculum greening
It is now beyond any doubt that higher education institutions around the world are beginning to recognize that they have a unique responsibility towards the goal of sustainability. Universities are …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Integration of the concepts of sustainability into teaching at post-secondary institutions
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
- University of South Carolina (SC)
- University of Mississippi (MS)
The purpose of this study was to examine the incorporation of the concepts of sustainability into teaching at two post-secondary public education residential institutions, Northern Arizona University (NAU) and the …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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An Analysis of the Correlation Between the Attitude, Behavior, and Knowledge Components of Environmental Literacy in Undergraduate Unversity Students
- University of Florida (FL)
The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationships between the major components of environmental literacy—attitudes, behaviors and knowledge—in undergraduate university students; and to examine differences in scores on …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Ecological Literacy: Education and the Transition to a Postmodern World
The most important discoveries of the 20th century exist not in the realm of science, medicine, or technology, but rather in the dawning awareness of the earth's limits and how …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2016
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Infusing Sustainability into High-Impact Learning Practices at NC State University
- North Carolina State University (NC)
Learning doesn't just happen in the classroom. Research has shown that high-impact educational experiences complement classroom learning, increase student retention and engagement, and maximize the collegiate experience. NC State University …
- Posted June 16, 2015
- Case Studies
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The Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability
- University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
The Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability, or PALS, is an innovative program at the University of Maryland that pairs faculty expertise and student ingenuity to tackle sustainability challenges facing …
- Posted June 11, 2015
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Climate@Emory: an inter-disciplinary, university-wide initiative to advance climate change scholarship, teaching, partnership, and engagement at Emory and beyond
- Emory University (GA)
Climate@Emory is a university-wide initiative at Emory University with the mission of advancing climate change scholarship and teaching. This interdisciplinary initiative involves more than 50 faculty from 20 departments throughout …
- Posted June 11, 2015
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The Sage Project at San Diego State University
- San Diego State University (CA)
The Sage Project is a partnership between San Diego State University (SDSU) and a local government in the San Diego region, connecting students and faculty with high-priority, high-need community projects. …
- Posted June 11, 2015
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Ucalgarycares Sustainable Cities Service Learning Program
- University of Calgary (AB)
Sustainable Cities launched in 2014-2015 as an addition to a suite of "ucalgarycares" service-learning programs focusing on social justice issues. This program aims for students to become engaged with urban …
- Posted June 11, 2015
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Hayward Promise Neighborhood Service Learning Solutions
- California State University, East Bay (CA)
Hayward Project Neighborhood (HPN) is a place-based initiative lead by California State University East Bay (CSUEB). The purpose of HPN is to significantly improve the educational and developmental outcomes of …
- Posted June 11, 2015
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Social Ecological Economic Development Studies (SEEDS) Sustainability Program at the University of British Columbia
- University of British Columbia (BC)
Over the past 15 years, the SEEDS (Social Ecological Economic Development Studies) Sustainability Program has created partnerships between students, faculty and staff to enable hundreds of innovative and impactful sustainability …
- Posted June 11, 2015
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UBC Sustainability Scholars Program
- University of British Columbia (BC)
Offered in collaboration with both on and off-campus sustainability partners, the UBC Sustainability Scholars Program is designed to provide UBC graduate level students - regardless of their academic discipline - …
- Posted June 11, 2015
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RecycleMania as a Campus as a Living Lab Project
- Central New Mexico Community College (NM)
Can college faculty help to reduce waste, increase recycling, and introduce sustainability concepts, all while sticking to their course learning outcomes? At Central New Mexico Community College, we found a …
- Posted June 11, 2015
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Developing Sustainability Literacy Among the Next Generation of Educators
- Arizona State University (AZ)
The Sustainability Science Education Project at Arizona State University aims to develop sustainability literacy among future educators. An innovative course, Sustainability Science for Teachers (SSFT), leverages the power of digital …
- Posted June 10, 2015
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Instituting a sustainability general education requirement at San Francisco State University
- San Francisco State University (CA)
A group of San Francisco State faculty believed all SF State graduates in the 21st century should have a basic understanding of sustainability. We campaigned for a sustainability requirement to …
- Posted June 9, 2015
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Innovations in Sustainability Curriculum: Teaching Full Cost Analysis through Student-Produced Documentaries
- Furman University (SC)
The David E. Shi Center for Sustainability at Furman University sought to increase teaching of full cost analysis as a suite of tools that can be used as a framework …
- Posted June 4, 2015
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Watershed UGA
- University of Georgia (GA)
With funding from the Ray C. Anderson Foundation, the University of Georgia (UGA) is leveraging a current town/gown campus stream restoration initiative to create a transformative experience in sustainability for …
- Posted May 18, 2015
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Aquaponic food production as an integrating context for campus sustainability
- Allegheny College (PA)
The Food for Sustainability project at Allegheny College utilizes aquaponic systems for indoor, year round tilapia and lettuce production. The products are sold to Parkhurst Dining Services and are incorporated …
- Posted April 11, 2014
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Sustainability Now and Powerful (SNAP!) International Program to Restore Landscapes, Recharge Educators, and Replenish Learning Systems
- Prescott College (AZ)
Students in Prescott College's Doctoral Program in Sustainability Education developed a program to honor and share the stories of outstanding programs across the planet in sustainability education. The program has …
- Posted April 11, 2014
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A Unique Hawaiian Learning Approach to Sustainable Living, Island-wide
- University of Hawaii Kauai Community College (HI)
A three prong approach to providing students with campus and community-wide learning at the UH Kauai Community College encompasses and concurrently implements:
1) Curriculum review ongoing, applying the General Electric …
- Posted March 28, 2014
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Creating a Living & Learning Laboratory for Applied Sustainability and Campus Farm Through Collaboration and Student Engagement
- Southern Oregon University (OR)
Through a collaborative effort among the campus and local community, Southern Oregon University created a living and learning laboratory for applied research and projects in sustainability, The SOU Center for …
- Posted March 28, 2014
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Green Leadership Program
- University of South Carolina (SC)
Sustainable Carolina's Green Leadership Program allows students to graduate with Leadership Distinction in "Professional and Civic Engagement." This comprehensive, interdisciplinary program broadens students' understanding of leadership and sustainability. During the …
- Posted March 28, 2014
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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.