Sustainability Curriculum
Sustainability encompasses environmental, economic, social and political issues—areas of study already occurring at UMass Dartmouth and universitiesaround the world. Our interdisciplinary approach to teaching sustainability embeds sustainability within existing curricula and prepares students to think critically from within any academic discipline. The concept of sustainability surpasses political and ideological lines. Therefore it is our goal, in this era of mass consumerism and globalization, for students to learn and understand the relationship between economic prudence and global issues.
Sustainability Courses - Spring 2008
BRF 202: TOPICS IN SUSTAINABILITY: WATER
3 credits
M/W/F 2:00-2:50
Open to all. No prereqs.
In this topics course we will bring together five faculty from five disciplines to look at "water" as a sustainable concern in our time and in times past. Over the semester we will look at the essential role water plays in ecosystems, and its relationship to agriculture and aquatic life; the many hydrological faces of water as it moves around the planet, tracking it as it crosses oceans and continents; the historical significance of water, particularly fresh water, in the rise of civilizations; the relationship between water use and political conflict, both within countries and among them; the basic assumptions we have about water generally, and how those assumptions could impact our future.Instructors will be:
This course will examine the economic, environmental, social, and cultural factors that shape housing and its sustainability. The course will highlight the ways in which current housing development policy and practices are not sustainable, and will examine more recent efforts to establish standards and practices that enhance sustainability. Students will learn how to take a housing project through the various stages, such as project conceptualization, market analysis, design, site acquisition, financing, construction, and occupancy. While the course focuses on the U.S. context, students will learn of international efforts to achieve greater sustainability in housing. The course will provide students with both, practical and theoretical knowledge of housing and land use policy, as well as development practices.
Dr. Tara Rajaniemi, Biology
Dr. Jim Bisagni, Marine Science and Technology
Dr. Timothy Walker, History
Dr. Rob Darst, Political Science
Dr. Jerry Blitefield, English
For more info, contact Jerry Blitefield at jblitefield@umassd.edu, or, call 508 910 6601.
Online Courses
(Part of upcoming Online Sustainability Certificate Program):
Sustainable Housing Development and Land Use: Polity and Practive, Turcotte (PST 450, 650)
Environmental Policy, McGuire (PSC 235)An introduction into the environmental policymaking process. Students will review basic methods of policymaking, with specific emphasis on environmental issues. Basic economic theory and systems analysis will be introduced as the model for environmental decision making. An emphasis will be placed on sustainability indicators and ecosystem-based analysis. Students will gain theoretical and practical skills that can be transferred into the environmental management field.
Environmental Law, Mcguire (PSC 347)Environmental Law explores the foundation of legal principles that apply to U.S. environmental laws. Students will learn the basic premises of environmental law, and then apply these premises to current environmental issues. The goal is to expose students to a broad understanding of the scientific and socio-economic elements that go into environmental regulations. Current environmental issues, such as climate change, will be discussed. The course is meant as an introduction into environmental law.
For more info about these online courses, contact Jerry Blitefield at jblitefield@umassd.edu, or, call 508 910 6601.
Last Updated On: 12/10/07
