This interdisciplinary course is focused on discovering what sustainability means, understanding the challenges, and exploring transformative solutions. We explore the concept of sustainability and the three intersecting dimensions of environmental, social, and economic well-being. We learn about systems and explore specific sustainability challenges. Learning in this course is active and participatory. We also explore the role of personal and collective action and how we each can play a role in building a more sustainable society.

This course explores what sustainability action entails from academic and practitioner perspectives. We begin by understanding the cross-cutting perspectives and methods of sustainability science including transdisciplinarity, systems thinking, stakeholder driven research, and solutions-based projects. We build on this knowledge to explore sustainability challenges using case studies to provide current and local context for the material we cover. Students are expected to apply the theoretical concepts to these practical examples of sustainability science in practice.

SUST 600 will provide an independent study to students who are interested in studying of a topic in sustainability in depth. Due to the highly personalized nature of SUST 600, the specific readings, activities and assignments will vary based on student interests and disciplinary backgrounds. At a minimum, students will be guided in how to prepare a project proposal, place their work within the current literature on the topic, and complete a final project.