Sustainability Studies

Classes

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.

Credits

3
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.

SUS 201 : Sustainability, Human Rights and Climate Justice

This course focuses on the disproportional burdens associated with climate change that experts anticipate will be experienced by poor countries and poor populations, with emphasis on Africa, Asia and the Small Island States. Substantive areas include the causes and consequences of uneven development and climate-driven threats and impacts on agriculture and food security; ecosystem goods and services; livelihoods and income generations; health, disease, and pandemics; water and energy access; sea-rise ad built-environmental infrastructure; sociopolitical destabilization, conflicts and terrorism; involuntary displacement and migration; and gender equity. Particular concerns center on international geo-political relations, global interconnectivity, nations' ethical responsibilities toward the poor in the face of climate crises, and transnational mitigation and adaptation responses. 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.

Credits

3
1. Distinguish between First World and Third World societal characteristics and articulate the problems of uneven development. 2. Identify and explain the significance of key international (United Nations) documents focused on universal rights and fairness and their ethical implications. 3. Recognize and articulate the interconnected complexities of climate change events, especially as they impact poor countries and poor populations. 4. Demonstrate familiarity with potential mitigation and adaptation strategies, especially as they apply to poor countries and poor populations. 5. Apply the relevance of such strategies for local and regional climate change events in southeastern New England. 6. Develop research skills using the Internet, library resources and contacts with relevant embassies. 7. Think systemically and critically. 8. Conduct basic social science research. 9. Write and orally present research findings including recommendations for appropriate mitigation and adaptation responses.

SUS 203 : Sustainable Economics: The Rise of the New Economy

This course focuses on the contradictions within contemporary capitalism, their impacts on the physical and human environment, and the emerging economic transformation. Issues addressed include the future of economic growth and globalization; impacts on consumer society; the rise of natural and human capital; steady state, gift and shared economics; participatory budgeting; re-localization of labor; cooperatives and worker-owned production; emerging small businesses; developmental of local and regional currencies; bio-regional productions; and alternative finance and banking systems. 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.

Credits

3
1. Articulate the connections between society and economy. 2. Explain the fundamental structure of globalized capitalism. 3. Discern ways in which the contemporary dominant economic system impacts the environment and issues of sustainability. 4. Identify existing and emerging models of economic activity. 5. Decipher economic models most conductive to resilience and sustainability. 6. Develop research skills through use of the Internet and library sources. 7. Demonstrate written and oral mastery of research findings.