Program Overview
The Sustainability Minor at Eastern Michigan University equips students with a comprehensive understanding of sustainability principles and practices across disciplines. Through core courses and elective options, students develop critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills to address sustainability challenges and pursue careers in related fields. The program emphasizes experiential learning and is taught by experienced faculty from diverse disciplines, providing students with a well-rounded education in sustainability.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Overview:
The Sustainability Minor at Eastern Michigan University takes an interdisciplinary approach to addressing fundamental questions about sustainability. The program aims to equip students with the critical thinking skills and communication abilities necessary to engage effectively with sustainability-related issues. Graduates of the minor will have a comprehensive understanding of the concept of sustainability, its various dimensions, and the challenges and opportunities it presents.
Objectives:
- To provide students with a foundational understanding of the principles and practices of sustainability across different disciplines.
- To develop students' critical thinking skills and ability to analyze sustainability issues from multiple perspectives.
- To enhance students' communication and collaboration skills for effectively engaging with stakeholders on sustainability matters.
- To prepare students for careers in sustainability-related fields or to pursue further education in the area.
Description:
The Sustainability Minor consists of 21 credit hours of coursework, including required core courses and restricted elective courses. The core courses provide a solid foundation in the concepts of environmental science, sustainable thinking, and environmental ethics. The restricted elective courses allow students to explore specific areas of interest within sustainability, such as design and technology, society, planning, justice, business and economics, and sciences.
Outline:
Required Core Courses (9 hours):
- ENVI 107: Environmental Science (3 hrs)
- GEOG 150: Thinking Sustainably (3 hrs)
- PHIL 229: Environmental Ethics (3 hrs)
Restricted Elective Courses (12 hours):
Students must select a total of 12 credit hours from at least two of the following groups. All students must earn at least 6 credits at the 300 level or above.
Design & Technology
- CNST 440: LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations (3 hrs)
- IDE 122: Interior Design Theory II (3 hrs)
- IDE 221: Environmental Systems for Interior Designers (3 hrs)
Society, Planning, Justice
- ENVI 105: Introduction to Environment and Society (3 hrs)
- GEOG 111: Regions and Resources (3 hrs)
- GEOG 320: Geography of the United States and Canada (3 hrs)
- GEOG 333W: Unsettled Geographies (3 hrs)
- GEOG 336: Tourism and Socioeconomic Development (3 hrs)
- GHPR 335: Historic Preservation (3 hrs)
- HIST 416: American Environmental History (3 hrs)
- PHIL 224: Ethics and Food (3 hrs)
- PHIL 280: Philosophy and the Fundamentals of Scientific Reasoning (3 hrs)
- PHIL 429W: Topics in Environmental Philosophy (3 hrs)
Business & Economics
- ECON 336: Economics of the Environment and Natural Resources (3 hrs)
Sciences
- BIO 226: Global Ecology and the Environment (4 hrs)
- CHEM 115: Our Environment and Its Chemistry (3 hrs)
- CHEM 415: Environmental Chemistry (3 hrs)
- ESSC 105: Climate Change in Human Times (3 hrs)
- ESSC 212: Weather, Climate, and the Earth System (3 hrs)
- ESSC 300: Introduction to Hydrology (3 hrs)
Assessment:
The Sustainability Minor program uses multiple assessment methods to evaluate student learning outcomes. These methods include:
- Coursework assignments and exams: Students' understanding of the core concepts and principles of sustainability is assessed through assignments and exams in the required core courses.
- Research projects: Students conduct research projects in their restricted elective courses, allowing them to apply their knowledge to real-world sustainability issues.
- Presentations: Students present their research findings in class and participate in group discussions, demonstrating their ability to communicate complex sustainability topics effectively.
Teaching:
The Sustainability Minor program is taught by a team of experienced faculty members from various disciplines, including environmental science, geography, philosophy, economics, and more. The faculty bring their expertise and research interests to the classroom, providing students with a diverse range of perspectives on sustainability. The program employs a variety of teaching methods to accommodate different learning styles. These methods include lectures, discussions, case studies, group projects, and field trips. The program also emphasizes experiential learning through internships and volunteer opportunities, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in sustainability-related fields.
Careers:
Graduates with a Sustainability Minor are well-prepared for a wide range of careers in sustainability-related fields. These careers may include:
- Environmental consultants
- Sustainability managers
- Energy auditors
- Green building designers
- Policy analysts
- Nonprofit program directors
- Educators The minor also provides a strong foundation for pursuing further education in sustainability, such as a master's or doctoral degree.
