Sustainability Studies (B.S.)
In this major, students address the essential question of sustainability: How can we best live without degrading our life-support system and create conditions that nurture the flourishing of other beings and of future generations? To do this, students majoring in Sustainability examine both the environmental systems upon which we depend and the modern social structures that can either support or degrade our relationships with nature and each other. Students consider technological, social, and ethics-based approaches intended to promote more a harmonious and sustainable human-nature relationship.
Integrative Studies Requirements
40 credits minimum
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements (48 credits) | ||
| Foundation | ||
| ISENST-120 | Principles of Sustainability | 4 |
| Select one of the following introductory environmental courses: | 4 | |
| Food, Health and the Environment | ||
| Global Environmental Change | ||
| The Environment of Central New England | ||
| Environmental Geography | ||
| Core: a grade of C or higher is required in all courses | ||
| INENST-201 | Earth Cycles & Systems | 4 |
| or ENST-252 | Ecology of a Changing Planet | |
| ISENST-203 | Globalization Culture & Place | 4 |
| or ENST-253 | Environmental Governance | |
| ISECON-372 | Ecological Economics | 4 |
| or ENST-393 | Sustainability for Organizations | |
| Capstone | ||
| ENST-395 | Seminar I | 4 |
| ENST-495 | Seminar II | 4 |
| Skills Elective | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Sustainable Design & Building Science | ||
| Population and Community Ecology | ||
| Mapping Nature With GIS | ||
| Mapping Social Patterns - GIS | ||
| Accounting for Sustainable Business | ||
| Applied Data Analysis & Vis | ||
| Data Analysis for Scientists | ||
| An Introduction to Restorative Practice | ||
| Materials - a Life Cycle View | ||
| Disciplinary Elective | ||
| Select one of the following courses not already used to meet another requirement: | 4 | |
| Sustainable Design & Building Science | ||
| Solar Design & Building Science II | ||
| Ecological Economics | ||
| Geoscience Issues and Society | ||
| Apocalypse Science and Society | ||
| Life Sustainability in Earths History | ||
| Earths Climate: Past & Future | ||
| Farming With Nature in Mind | ||
| Environmental Advocacy | ||
| Rethinking Energy | ||
| The United States and Genocide | ||
| Genocide Special Topics | ||
| Natives and Newcomers in NA 1500-1766 | ||
| Environmental Issues & Media | ||
| Materials - a Life Cycle View | ||
| Sustainability by Design | ||
| Upper-level Electives: Choose three courses at the 300 level or above in Environmental Studies & Sustainability (ENST), excluding ISP courses. A student may request that one course from a different discipline be applied toward this requirement. This can be managed by the department through the course substitution process. | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 48 | |
**Only six courses used to meet a student’s requirements for a B.S. in Environmental Studies can be applied toward completion of a B.S. in Sustainability Studies.
Electives
Select courses to reach a total of 120 credits.
Degree Requirements
120 credits
40 credits at the upper-level
Upon completion of the Sustainability Studies major students will:
- Inquiry: Use appropriate methods and technique to pose and answer questions about sustainability.
- Knowledge: Characterize sustainability challenges using integrated knowledge of human and nature systems.
- Knowledge: Understand the basic sustainability concepts of homeostasis, carrying-capacity, cradle-to-grave recycling, evolutionary processes, inter-generational debt, social adaptation, climate change, ecosystem services, and environmental justice.
- Perspective-taking: Characterize sustainability challenges from multiple value and interest perspectives.
- Articulate a comprehensive world view that integrates diverse approaches to sustainability.
- Collaborative competency: Work effectively with others to achieve a goal.
- Justice: Analyze the role of environmental sustainability in the promotion of comprehensive justice and equity
- Problem-solving: Use skills, knowledge, perspective-taking, and collaborative competences to solve a sustainability challenge.