Sustainability

Dane Carlson, Assistant Professor

Nicholas H. Johnson, Associate Professor

Stephanie L. Lovseth, Assistant Professor

Kynan Witters Hicks, Assistant Professor

This interdisciplinary degree program provides students the opportunity to focus their intellectual inquiry on issues and problems related to local and global sustainability. The program emphasizes connections between society – including economy, production systems, and governance – and the natural environment. Students prepare for global citizenship by learning how to simultaneously maintain ecological and environmental health, create economic prosperity, and pursue social justice amid the complexities of the 21st century. In so doing, they join a community of peers, faculty and staff committed to seeking solutions to some of the world's most pressing problems in ways that “meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" (UN World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987). The degree intentionally exposes the student to a diversity of theories, methods, and approaches that are pertinent to comprehending and creating solutions for the evolving social, environmental, and economic challenges facing humankind. 

The major requires 16 courses, including a center capstone project, three electives chosen from one of four content focus areas, and a high impact learning experience. Electives in the Environment and Natural Resources focus area emphasize sustainable natural resource use and management, the analysis of environmental issues, and how to seek solutions to today’s resource needs while also conserving for future generations. Electives in the Energy, Economics, and the Built Environment focus area deal with how energy, agriculture, architecture, industrial ecology, energy, and other systems can be designed to reduce resource consumption and environmental damage, promote regenerative processes, encourage innovation, build community, and enhance quality of life as well as business practices and governance systems that lead to sustainable societies. Electives in the Environmental Arts, Humanities, and Design focus area integrate creative and humanistic perspectives with environmental science, while encouraging students to reflect on cultural values, ethical considerations, and the role of design in shaping sustainable futures. Electives in the Advocacy, Justice, and Future focus area look at how human behavior and relations, ethical and theological values, and societal organization function as related to increasing sustainability, and how to integrate cultural perspectives, ethics, justice, and critical dialogues into sustainability practices, including through policy and leadership. The High Impact Learning Experience can be filled through an internship, field experience, community service, or an abroad.

The minor requires six courses, including an introductory course, a course about climate change, three electives (with each elective being from a different focus area), and a culminating independent project. To be listed as an elective, a course must address at least one of the sustainability learning outcomes and must include a significant project or assignment looking at sustainability from the perspective of the course discipline. In the case of the minor, no more than two courses may be taken from any single academic department other than sustainability. SUS 280 Topics in Sustainability can be applied to any one of the focus areas, depending on the specific course topic when it is offered. SUS 395 Sustainability Internship  must be taken for a minimum of 3 SH in order to count toward the requirements of the major or the minor.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1.  Integrates Core Principles of Sustainability (knowledge)
    1. Demonstrates knowledge of the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability and their interconnections.
    2. Applies systems thinking to analyze sustainability challenges and paths forward across scales and institutions.
    3. Demonstrates functional knowledge of sustainability principles, including energy and ecological systems, climate science, social   ecology, and sustainable development.
    4. Integrates cultural perspectives, ethics, justice, and critical dialogues into sustainability practices. 
  2.  Demonstrates Data-Driven Reasoning (critical thinking)
    1. Uses quantitative and qualitative methods in gathering data and metrics to inform approaches, processes, and outcomes.
    2.  Employs knowledge of technical, design, scientific, policy, and institutional strategies and techniques that foster sustainable development. 
    3. Thinks critically about the diversity of scientific and ethical issues raised by human interactions with the environment.
  3. Applies Key Models and Practices (application) 
    1. Utilizes key models and techniques in sustainability; for example, triple bottom line, cost-benefit analysis, life-cycle assessment, ecological systems theory, critical theory, ecological footprint science, perspective-taking, reflexivity.
    2. Employs reflexive, critical, iterative, and adaptive thinking in problem-solving.
    3. Demonstrate an ability to be innovative and creative, to imagine new solutions, to seek out unlikely partners, and to be entrepreneurial.
    4. Advocates for justice-oriented solutions across environmental, economic, and social dimensions, demonstrating agency as an agent for positive change.
  4.  Communicates Effectively and Contextualizes Knowledge (communication) 
    1. Expresses ideas with clarity and civility, drawing on diverse sources, perspectives, research, and critical analysis.
    2. Contextualizes knowledge within specific frameworks, including situating knowledge and experience within broader cultural, socio-political, ecospheric, and/or other frameworks, recognizing their role as an actor in sustainability.

College Wide Student Learning Outcomes of Principia College: Defining a Liberal Arts Education

The curricular and co-curricular programs at Principia College are designed for students to be lifelong learners, thinkers, and problem-solvers. To accomplish this, the College has established the following outcomes for its graduates.

Guided by Principle, Principia College students will demonstrate:

  1. Depth and breadth of knowledge
  2. Critical and creative thinking
  3. Effective communication
  4. Intellectual inquiry and engagement
  5. Active commitment to community and global citizenship

Major

Minor

SUS 095 Internship - No Credit 0.0 SH [  ]

The issue of sustainability is one of the most theoretically and practically complex questions of our time. Experiential learning outside the classroom provides an opportunity to gain hands-on experience with corporations, organizations, and agencies successfully acting as change agents in solving problems related to local, national, and global sustainability. May be taken three times.

SUS 151 Introduction to Sustainability 3.0 SH [GESN]

An introduction to the basic principles (e.g. triple bottom line, ecological footprint, systems thinking) underlying the topic of sustainability. Students explore how sustainability relates to their lives and values, and demonstrate knowledge of sustainable practices and their effects on the economy, the environment, and social equity. Guest lecturers provide views of contemporary issues from a multi-disciplinary approach.
Class Level Restriction: Freshman and Sophomore and Junior only.

SUS 160 Social Ecology 3.0 SH [GESS]

This course examines how human societies shape and are shaped by the natural environment. Topics include how social processes like culture and inequality contribute to environmental issues, social construction of environmental ideologies, how societal values may lead to ecological degradation, and the rise of social movements in response to environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, and natural resource management.

SUS 180 Topics in Sustainability 1.0-4.0 SH [  ]

An exploration of a contemporary topic or issue in sustainability. Topics will vary based on the needs and interests of the students and instructor, and the title will be extended to describe the current topic. May be offered on Principia abroads. May be repeated more than once for a maximum of 8 SH, provided the topics differ.

SUS 190 Sustainable Food Systems 3.0 SH [  ]

An introduction to the resilience, sustainability and equity of local and global food systems. Students examine relevant theories within the sector, using a systems approach to discuss achievements, challenges and trends. Students interact with farmers, vendors and chefs, consider how their own decisions and actions influence food systems, and explore how innovative solutions might be scaled for greater impact.

SUS 240 Modern Climate Change 3.0 SH [GESN]

This course introduces the science, economics, and policy of modern climate change. Students will understand the drivers of climate change cycles and how they affect human society and ecological systems, analyze the impacts and costs of climate change, define solutions for mitigation and adaption, engage in informed discussions of public policy, and communicate effectively about these issues.
Prerequisite: This course is suitable for non-science majors, but it is expected that students have knowledge of algebra and either high-school level chemistry or physics.

SUS 250 Energy and Living Systems 3.0 SH [  ]

In this course students begin to think about the mechanical and living systems in everyday life and how to make them more sustainable. The course focuses on air, water, and energy flows; the properties of different structures and building materials; the importance of insulation and other conservation measures; and the role of ‘green building’ certifications, such as LEED and LBC.

SUS 260 Sustainable Development 3.0 SH [  ]

In this course students explore the interdisciplinary field of sustainable development. Drawing from the social, policy, and natural sciences, this course explores how the world economy can continue to develop in ways that are socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable. This course offers a broad overview of the key challenges and potential solutions to achieve sustainable development in the 21st century.
Prerequisite: SUS 151.

SUS 270 Systems Mapping 3.0 SH [  ]

This project-centered course uses systems thinking to explore complex local societal or environmental issues, including through the lenses of social and environmental justice. Example topics include persistent poverty, food deserts, livable cities, economic disparity across protected classes, and forever chemicals in food systems. Students will develop a systems map and accompanying analysis for University of Oxford’s Map the System competition.

SUS 280 Topics in Sustainability 1.0-4.0 SH [  ]

Offered when regular or visiting faculty are available to work with students on advanced topics in sustainability. May be offered on Principia abroads. The title will be extended to describe the current topic or region. May be repeated more than once for a maximum of 8 SH, provided the topics differ.

SUS 310 Environ Decision Analysis 3.0 SH [  ]

Course content covers decision analysis methods - in particular cost-benefit analysis, life cycle assessment, and risk management - that are widely used in business, economics, the environmental field, and by regulatory agencies. For each method students will explore the theoretical underpinnings, appropriate applications, and the benefits and drawbacks. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are used. Also listed as ECON 310.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.

SUS 320 Innovation & Leadership 3.0 SH [  ]

This course investigates the intersection of sustainability, leadership, and social change, focusing on innovative strategies for addressing environmental and social challenges. Students will critically examine leadership theory, engage with community-led sustainable development, and develop culturally responsive leadership practices. Emphasizing non-positional leadership, the course fosters practical strategies for advocating resilient, equitable solutions across diverse contexts at local, regional, and global levels.
Class Level Restriction: Sophomore and Junior and Senior only.

SUS 330 Environmental Histories 3.0 SH [  ]

This course examines human-nature relationships and the landscapes they make. A diverse survey of environmental history will introduce students to environments across time and space, from pre-colonization indigenous urbanism to modern plantation forestry and sites of anti-colonial resistance. Beyond physical environments, the course will examine the ties between practices of environment-making and ways of thinking about the world.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.

SUS 340 Climate Science Seminar 1.0 SH [  ]

Seminar examines the science of modern climate change, including the drivers of climate change cycles and how they affect human society and ecological systems. Emphasis is on reading scientific literature with understanding, including interpreting charts and graphs for a broad range of physical sciences, and exploring the role of uncertainty in interpreting scientific data and forging policy. May be repeated.
Prerequisite: SUS 240.

SUS 395 Sustainability Internship 1.0-3.0 SH [  ]

The issue of sustainability is one of the most theoretically and practically complex questions of our time. Experiential learning outside the classroom provides an opportunity to gain hands-on experience with corporations, organizations, and agencies successfully acting as change agents in solving problems related to local, national, and global sustainability. May be taken three times up to six semester hours.

SUS 401 Sustainability Project 1.0-3.0 SH [  ]

The project serves to culminate the minor in sustainability. Projects are designed under faculty supervision in accordance with student qualifications and interests. May include multidisciplinary research, internships, case studies, field work, or campus projects. May receive a star (*) grade if the project spans more than one semester, may be repeated up to a maximum of 6 SH.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.

SUS 410 Capstone Seminar 1.0 SH [  ]

This course is designed to assist sustainability majors in the development of their capstone project. Weekly class activities may include presentations from a research librarian, discussions with Sustainability faculty about project design and methodology, preparation of an annotated bibliography, or coaching on presentation skills.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.
Field of Study Restrictions: Sustainability Majors only.

SUS 411 Capstone 2.0-3.0 SH [  ]

A selected topic culminates the major and provides students the opportunity for survey, investigation, research, or creative activity that synthesizes and extends classroom material. May include multidisciplinary research, case studies, field work, or campus projects. May receive a star (*) grade if the project spans more than one semester, may be repeated up to a maximum of 6 SH.
Prerequisite: SUS 410, may be taken concurrently.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.
Field of Study Restrictions: Sustainability Majors only.