SUS 101 : Sustainability and Humankind's Dilemma: Life on a Tough New Planet
This course focuses on fundamental sustainability crises confronting humankind in the face of climate change, peak oil, resource depletion, species extinction, and societal collapse. Areas covered include social-structural conditions driving ecological overshoot; human threats to natural systems; population and Earth's carrying capacity; globalization, poverty and failing states; environmentally-based national and transnational conflicts; emerging pathogens and diseases; systems analysis of societal complexity and systemic breakdown. Prerequisite(s): A passing score on the college's writing and reading placement tests or, C or better or concurrent enrollment in ENG 091, or ENG 092. Three lecture hours per week.
Gen. Ed. Competencies Met: Ethical Dimensions and Global and Historic Awareness.
Course Outcomes
1. Identify key issues, concepts, theories and language associated with socio-ecology and sustainability issues.
2. Analyze the ways in which societal structures and social forces shape ecological and sustainability discourse and practices.
3. Develop an appreciation for, and a continuing interest and participation in, ecological issues and the stabilization of a healthy planet.