Course

10-806-112 Principles of Sustainability
Course Information
Description
This course introduces the principles of sustainability through an integrated study of environmental, social, and economic systems.  Topics include the following: sustainability literacy; interconnections among the physical and biological sciences and environmental systems; effects of sustainability on health and well-being; connections among social, economic, and environmental systems; energy conservation strategies; alternative energy options; waste disposal and recycling options; community approaches to sustainability; and impacts of resource depletion and pollution. Emphasis is placed on evaluating real-world issues and connecting course concepts to sustainability goals.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Develop sustainable literacy
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    describe the science behind sustainability
    explain the guiding principles of sustainability
    analyze the differences between traditional conservation and preservation initiatives and sustainability
    describe key pieces of legislation and public policy related to the sustainability movement
    describe what is meant by Systems Thinking and the role this plays in sustainable systems and planning

  2. Analyze the interconnections among the physical and biological sciences and environmental systems
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    summarize the hydrologic, carbon, and nitrogen cycles
    identify terrestrial and aquatic biomes
    identify ecosystem services
    explain energy transfer between trophic levels
    explain the chemical properties of water (solubility, polarity, pH)
    identify factors that affect endangered or threatened species
    explain the different species interactions

  3. Summarize the effects of sustainability on health and well-being
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    identify the standards of health and well-being that are affected by sustainable practices
    explain how air, water, food, and soil quality affect health and well-being
    evaluate the reasons for sustainability concerns with human population growth

  4. Analyze connections among social, economic, and environmental systems
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    explain how global activities, policies, and decisions impact the sustainability of the planet
    explain how a community can impact local and global sustainability
    explain how an individual can contribute to, or detract from, the sustainability of a community, or system at a broader scale

  5. Employ energy conservation strategies to reduce the use of fossil fuels
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    map out your individual energy types and usage in your home
    describe the nature, origin, and depletion of coal, natural gas, and petroleum
    evaluate political, social, and economic factors of fossil fuel use
    investigate models of energy conservation
    evaluate energy efficiency alternatives such as energy star

  6. Investigate alternative energy options
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    describe the nature, origin, and potential of alternatives to fossil fuels
    analyze different forms of alternative energy (wind, geothermal, nuclear, bio-mass, hydropower, solar, tidal and wave) for varied applications
    describe how humans can harness wind, geothermal or other alternative energies
    identify "best uses" for assorted alternative energy sources

  7. Evaluate options to current waste disposal and recycling
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    describe how nature serves as a model for sustainable principles
    summarize and compare the types of waste we generate
    evaluate various options to managing waste
    describe conventional waste disposal methods
    evaluate approaches for reducing waste
    discuss industrial solid waste management and principles of industrial ecology

  8. Analyze approaches used by your community to promote and implement sustainability
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    locate community organizations and resources that facilitate sustainability
    identify local laws and ordinances that support sustainability
    propose logical alternatives that could be used by your community to implement sustainability

  9. Analyze the impacts of resource depletion and pollution
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    explain types of non-energy natural resource depletion
    discuss factors that contribute to resource depletion
    discuss factors that contribute to resource consumption
    describe sources and impacts of environmental pollution
    identify point versus non-point pollution sources
    evaluate approaches to reducing pollution