Courses
200 Topics in Sustainability
A selected sustainability topic will be explored at an introductory level through disciplinary, multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary approaches. The topic and approach will vary dependent upon the interests of the instructor and needs and interests of students. Examples of topics include food systems, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, energy systems, water resources, social justice and sustainability, ethics and sustainability, representations of sustainability/unsustainability, environmental education, community development, community resilience, sustainability solutions, sustainable development, climate change and sustainability science.
Prerequisite: Dependent upon topic.
301 Practicum in Sustainability
Students will gain practical skills for creating a sustainable society by using the Dickinson College campus or other selected organization or community as a living laboratory in which to study and develop solutions to real and pressing problems of sustainable planning and management. Concepts of sustainable systems and sustainable planning and management will be explored and reinforced through application in a significant group or individual project that requires students to identify a problem; analyze potential solutions that would advance sustainability goals that encompass environmental stewardship, social justice and economic vitality; develop recommendations; and communicate recommendations to relevant constituencies with the aim of seeing their recommendations implemented. Examples of problem areas on which the course may focus include reducing campus greenhouse gas emissions; performing a campus sustainability audit; and developing plans to address transportation, nutrition, public health, economic development and biodiversity conservation needs in the local community and region.
Prerequisite dependent upon topic.
Attributes: Sustainability Investigations
330 Global Environmental Challenges and Governance
Many environmental challenges cross international borders and some, like climate change, are truly global in their causes, consequences and potential solutions. These challenges often are beyond the means of individual nations to solve and global institutions have been created to negotiate, mobilize and oversee international cooperation to address them. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, we will explore the demographic, social and economic drivers of a selected global environmental challenge, the dangers it poses to ecological systems, human wellbeing, sustainable development and national security; policy options for responding to the dangers; and the processes, politics and effectiveness of the governance institutions that have jurisdiction over it. The exploration will result in students being able to articulate the perspectives of key stakeholders on important issues in the governance of global environmental change and critically analyze the performance of global environmental governance institutions.
Prerequisites: Any two DIV III lab science courses, or permission of instructor.
Attributes: Sustainability Investigations
490 Baird Honors Practicum
Students accepted for the Baird Sustainability Fellows program and enrolled in the Baird Honors Practicum will gain practical skills for creating a sustainable and equitable society by working as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team to analyze a selected societal challenge and create a viable solution that is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. The course will engage students in better understanding interdependence and intersections of issues such as social justice, racism, environmental quality, ecological resilience, biodiversity conservation, climate change, resource use, economic development, and human wellbeing. Applying a sustainability lens, students will also reflect on, interpret and present their evolving worldviews, college experiences and competencies in preparation for pursuing academic, career and other opportunities after Dickinson.
Prerequisites: Students must apply and be accepted to the Baird Sustainability Fellows Program. Rising seniors and rising juniors from all majors are eligible to apply.
Attributes: ENST Env Stud Spec (ESSP)