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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Creating Sustainable Curriculum Processes for a Sustainability Outcome
- Fleming College (ON)
In 2018, Ontario Colleges Quality Assurance Services (OCQAS) conducted an institutional level quality audit of Fleming College, Ontario, Canada. This audit involved a comprehensive review of the College's quality assurance …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Using a Sustainability Framework to Advance Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
- University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (TX)
Accredited social work programs in the U.S. train students to advance "social, economic, and environmental justice" (CSWE, 2020). Often, however, the curriculum addresses each type of justice independently, as though …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Healing to Transform - A Trauma-Informed Approach to Education for Sustainable Development & Wellbeing
- Arizona State University (AZ)
Our society and our planet are desperate for healing from embodied trauma passed on from generation to generation—be it fueled by institutionalized racism, forced displacement, gender and economic inequality, resource …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Transformative Sustainability Learning: An Affective Photovoice Lens
- Texas A&M University-Commerce (TX)
- University of Wisconsin-Platteville (WI)
This presentation shares the results of a doctoral dissertation in an educational sustainability program. The purpose was to understand the learning experiences and the role of affect for students in …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Writing Sustainability Case Studies with ESRAP: A Collaboration Practice for Graduate Education
- Iowa State University (IA)
- Educators for Socially Responsible Apparel Practices (MN)
The global apparel and textile industries are damaging the environment, from fiber production to consumer disposal. University apparel programs have identified the gap in knowledge that students possess regarding the …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Assessing Campus Sustainability Literacy and Culture: How Are Universities Doing It and To What End?
- George Mason University (VA)
Assessing student, staff, and faculty sustainability literacy and culture poses a challenge to many higher education institutions (HEI). The assessments are essential for providing an understanding of campus sustainability knowledge, …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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High Impact Low Carbon Exchanges: Teaching Sustainability Through Global Classroom Partnerships
- Salisbury University (MD)
- Universidad Latinoamericana De Ciencia Y Tecnología (ULACIT)
Studying abroad allows students from across the globe to experience different cultural, political, learning, and natural environments. For these reasons and many others, learning institutions (including universities) have prioritized this …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Understanding Diverse Student Participation in Campus Sustainability Programs
- University of Georgia (GA)
Nationwide a lack of diversity in sustainability roles and initiatives is well documented. Many attribute this lack of diversity to the limited representation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Campuses as Living . . . Archives: Using Campus Histories to Explore Diversity, Equity, and Belonging
- Johnson County Community College (KS)
Are you working at an institution struggling to effectively respond to and support student-led-protests for social justice and equity? You may have an unexplored treasure trove of useful and inspirational …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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The University of Iowa Tippie College of Business Principles of Responsible Management Education Report
- University of Iowa (IA)
The University of Iowa Tippie College of Business became signatories of the Principles of Responsible Management Education. As part of that commitment, the college reports on progress every two years.
- Posted Jan. 13, 2022
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Saving the Campus Farm: One Approach to Leveraging Institutional Support for a Campus Farm Space
- Butler University (IN)
Although there has been a dramatic increase in the number of campus farms in the past thirty year, most farms serve as co-curricular resources or have limited use in formal …
- Posted Jan. 13, 2022
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Our Changing Menu: Climate change and the foods we love and need
- Cornell University (NY)
We tell the climate change story through something we encounter and communicate about every day. It is imbedded in our cultures and family histories, and we love and need it—food. …
- Posted Nov. 29, 2021
- Publications
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Networking to collaborate with UC-CSU NXTerra: California's new Climate Emergency Teaching Tool
- University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)
Presenters Dr. John Foran and Richard Widick will introduce UC-CSU NXTerra and discuss our strategies for scaling up the urgency of climate change education. NXTerra is an interdisciplinary network collaboration …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Coping With Climate Anxiety In and Beyond the Classroom
- University of Hawaii System Office (HI)
- University of Vermont (VT)
We're all surrounded by students from what's been dubbed the 'climate generation' (a group that is particularly attuned to the threat and inequity of climate change) as well as faculty …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Inspiration from signatories of the SDG Accord
- Environmental Association for Universities & Colleges (EAUC) (Gloucestershire)
The SDG Accord is a HESI initiative and AASHE is a supporting partner. The session will include a brief overview of the SDG Accord and will bring together signatories to …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Faculty Networking Meeting hosted by Sustainability Curriculum Consortium (SCC)
- Sustainability Curriculum Consortium (MD)
This Faculty Meet-up will serve as a networking opportunity for those faculty attending the Global Conference, complementing the curriculum track being co-presented by AASHE and the Sustainability Curriculum Consortium. This …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Integrating Socio-Technical Thinking Into Engineering and Science Education, Research, and Practice
- Colorado School of Mines (CO)
Sustainable initiatives are destined to fail unless we begin to think of sustainability as being directly related to and dependent on social justice, equity, and public well being. As the …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Invitation to NXTerra California's new Climate Emergency Teaching Tool
- University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)
Join us for an introduction to UC-CSU NXTerra - a Knowledge-Action Network (KAN) and Digital Platform for climate educators, developed by faculty from the University of California (UC) and California …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Teaching Resiliency Online in a Global Crisis
- University of Minnesota, Crookston (MN)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
In response to the pandemic, we created an online summer course, COVID-19 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Resilience, Connections and Threats. The UN SDGs provided a framework for …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Transforming White Supremacy in Teacher Education
- Luther College (IA)
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WI)
In light of the recent calls for racial justice, it is vitally important to critically examine the role that teacher education programs play in perpetuating institutional racism and white supremacy. …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Inclusive Pedagogy Online: Increasing Equity in Remote and Distance Learning Classrooms
- Oregon State University (OR)
Before the COVID-19 crisis prompted a radical shift to online delivery methods across higher education, distance learning was central to many institutions' strategic visions. Now, the pandemic has caused a …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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What's Missing? Reconsidering the Key Competencies in Sustainability Education
- University of Dayton (OH)
This presentation looks at the core competencies shaping the curriculum in sustainability programs, and which may impact accreditation processes for those programs in the future. An overview of the various …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Climate Action Workshop, Using Climate Interactive's En-Roads Model
- University of Massachusetts Lowell (MA)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
Come to the Climate Action Workshop and create a scenario to address global climate change with known technologies and policies. You will be immersed in the challenge and opportunity of …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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What Story Does Your Curriculum Tell? Flipping the Script on Narratives of Sustainability
- University of Michigan (MI)
If we think of the future as an unfinished story, we see two grand narratives unfolding: A shift towards sustainability and social justice tells a story about a better life, …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Bridge Builders: Sustainability Staff as Mission-Tied Project Developers
- Arizona State University (AZ)
How do you go about developing a sustainability initiative that hits on all four cylinders, university operations, academics, research and community impact? This session will provide a methodology, tools and …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Examples and Conversation about Elevating Equity and Justice in Sustainability Literacy
- Agnes Scott College (GA)
- Emory University (GA)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- Spelman College (GA)
This workshop will provide participants with opportunities to explore a diverse set of strategies for elevating equity and justice components of sustainability across the college curriculum and through co-curricular opportunities. …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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The Power of Multistakeholder Collaborations in Centering Equity and Working for a Just Transition
- Coastal Carolina University (SC)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- Georgia State University (GA)
- Middlebury College (VT)
- University of Texas at Arlington (TX)
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
Universities and community, government, and business stakeholders are uniting - through a variety of different networks and collaborations to achieve Agenda 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Integration of the SDGs Across Curricular / Co-Curricular Programs: Shared Best Practices
- Furman University (SC)
- George Mason University (VA)
- Mount Holyoke College (MA)
- University of South Florida (Tampa) (FL)
The United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Niizhoo-gwayakochigewin: Two Ways of Doing the Right Thing in the Right Way
- Bemidji State University (MN)
Named for an Ojibwe phrase which translates to 'two ways of doing the right things in the right way,' Niizhoo-gwayakochigewin draws from Bemidji State University's (BSU) Sustainability Office, Department of …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Sustainability Across the Curriculum: Best Practices Mini-Workshop
- Central College (IA)
- Dickinson College (PA)
- Furman University (SC)
Join four members schools of the AASHE Centers for Sustainability Across the Curriculum network, that regularly offer workshops and other professional development opportunities, in an experiential mini-workshop where participants will …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Creating Change Agents for Campus Sustainability Through Applied Learning Projects
- Arizona State University (AZ)
This session will explore how the framework of key competencies in sustainability can be useful for campus operations. Our session will focus on how applied learning projects can generate both …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Another Just Transition: Community-Engaged Research and Learning for Environmental Justice
- Santa Clara University (CA)
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (WI)
To contribute to a just transition to a regenerative economy and an equitable society, academia can accelerate its own shift toward conducting more community-engaged research (CER) for environmental justice (EJ). …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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A Competency Framework for Sustainability Studies Program Development
- Colorado Mountain College (CO)
The presenter will discuss methods and findings from her recently published research on competencies for sustainability studies and related academic programs ('Competencies and Pedagogies for Sustainability Education: A Roadmap for …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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What Motivates Change Agents and Supports Their Resilience in the Face of Adversity?
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Yale University (CT)
One of the key features that distinguishes sustainability from other fields is its normative aspect. Sustainability is about creating a better world starting today based on a just vision of …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Competencies for Advancing Transformations Towards Sustainability and their Assessment
- Arizona State University (AZ)
Sustainability competencies have been articulated in diverse disciplines, from engineering to public education. Yet, there still remains a lack of clarity and coordination regarding a unified set of sustainability competencies …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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The Union of the Preposterous: Playfully Engaging with Climate Change
- Western Technical College (WI)
We are entering a decade in which the world requires massive climate action. Yet, as sustainability professionals we still struggle to engage people to take meaningful climate action. Equally problematic, …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Strengthening Sustainability Programs and Curricula at the Undergraduate and Graduate Levels
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)
- University of Michigan (MI)
- The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (DC)
Sustainability education is crucial to address urgent environmental, economic, and societal challenges. The number of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, research institutes, and centers focused on sustainability has markedly increased …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Unlikely Relationships: Multidisciplinary Cooperation to Divert Textile Waste
- Iowa State University (IA)
Hands-on design courses are an essential component of apparel design curriculum and make up a sizable portion of the classes offered in many university apparel design programs worldwide. However, sewing …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Integrating Sustainability and Development With Gala at the University of Michigan
- University of Michigan (MI)
Sustainability is a necessary transition that poses unprecedented challenges for ensuring widely shared well-being and prosperity. Sustainable development seeks to illuminate specific pathways to sustainability, especially in geographic areas that …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Promoting Sustainability Through Diverse Children's Literature
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WI)
Since 2013 this unit on assessment within the elementary Educational Psychology course introduces aspiring educators (>860 students) to the topic of constructing informal formative and summative assessments, rubrics and extension …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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A More Bird-Safe Campus: The JCCC Bird Collision Study in Practice and the Classroom
- Johnson County Community College (KS)
Johnson County Community College has since 2018 collected data on bird/window strikes across its xxx acre, suburban campus, assembling an impressive dataset on bird species and strike location(s). Both data …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Equipping Students with Data for Change - Chestnut Living Lab Study
- Ithaca College (NY)
In 2018, Ithaca College's Office of Energy Management & Sustainability received funding from the Office of the President to design a research project focused on equipping students with the necessary …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Developing Sustainability Internships Through an Employer Relations Lens: A Pilot
- The College of Saint Scholastica (MN)
A brief talk on how grant funding and new academic programming in sustainability fostered a pilot to increase experiential learning opportunities. This session presenter is not a subject matter expert …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Developing Artful Leadership to Foster Sustainability at UW Oshkosh and Beyond
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (WI)
This project titled Developing Artful Leadership to Foster Sustainability at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UW Oshkosh) and Beyond was a research project that utilized the fluidity of interdisciplinary application of …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Teaching Climate Change: Understanding Faculty Work & Identity
- University of Hawaii System Office (HI)
The purpose of the Teaching Climate Change Study is to better understand faculty perspectives, pedagogical practices and overall confidence in teaching climate change and related issues. From this information, I …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Duquesne University's Sustainable MBA: Keeping our Facilities & our Students Ahead of the Pack
- Duquesne University (PA)
- AUROS Group (PA)
To stay at the top in their field, Duquesne University's thought leaders are embracing technology to inform and advise their choices on building renovations and upgrades. Duquesne University is one …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Institutional Implications on Promoting Education in Sustainability: Student Learning Outcome
- California Polytechnic State University (CA)
California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo (herein referred to Cal Poly), was awarded the silver STARS rating in 2017. In all evaluated categories, Cal Poly received lower scores …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Green Advisors, Sustainability Advocates, and More: Building Engaged Community
- Swarthmore College (PA)
This session will focus on innovative, action-oriented engagement opportunities in sustainability for a diverse range of stakeholders at the college and university level. At Swarthmore College, more than 80 faculty, …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Course on Landscaping with Native Plants for Benefit of Students and Campus Grounds
- Eureka College (IL)
People in general are spending less time indoors and more time looking at screens, leaving them less active and less connected with nature. Students face struggles learning to balance a …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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WWF-Canada's Living Planet Leader certification: Graduating students to lead in sustainability
- World Wildlife Fund (DC)
This workshop will provide Canadian students and campus sustainability and engagement staff and faculty an overview of WWF-Canada's Living Planet Leader student certification. Through WWF-Canada's Living Planet @ Campus program, …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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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.