SUSTAINABILITY ATTRIBUTE FORM

The U of U has defined sustainability as the integrated pursuit of social equity, ecological integrity, and economic security for current and future generations. Your course may address sustainability through the integration of all of these ideas, or it may contribute to an understanding of sustainability by focusing on at least two of these ideas, or by using sustainability-related issues or case studies to teach related concepts. Please review your course syllabus and determine which designation you feel is most appropriate for your course. Please check only one box, select the relevant dimension(s), and respond to the three pursuant questions. Note the following meanings of equity, economy, and environment:

Equity-- Social justice and equity are integral to sustainability. Recognizing that environmental despoliation and degradation is linked to questions of social justice, equity, rights and people’s quality of life (Agyeman, 2008), justice is central to the pursuit of sustainability. Additionally, “intra-generational equity (meeting human needs now) needs to be directly linked to the fulfillment of basic needs of all global citizens in the future (inter-generational equity)” (Adams, 2006). For our purposes, equity entails consideration of justice and fairness.

Economy—The economy is a subset of the larger environmental systems of our planet. Without continuing inputs of natural resources, the economy ceases to function. Furthermore, “[h]uman aspirations, and subsistence, are inextricably linked to the performance of [the] economy” (Adams, 2006). For our purposes, economy can be defined as anything related to the production and consumption of goods and services within limited natural resources.

Environment—Our planet is effectively a finite system. The ongoing health of ecosystems allows human society to function. A sustainable relationship between humans and the environments they inhabit is a necessity. “The quality, diversity and functions of the environment underpin human health, solidarity and security.” (Adams, 2006). For our purposes, drawing on the model of environmental justice, environment can be defined as our surroundings from where we live, work, play, learn to the remotest wilderness.

ATTRIBUTE TYPE

Sustainability—Partial (SUSP): Course content incorporates a unit or module on sustainability or a sustainability challenge, includes one or more sustainability-focused activities, or integrates sustainability issues throughout the course.

  • Equity-economy
  • Economy-environment
  • Environment-equity

Sustainability—Complete (SUSC): Course content identifies and describes the relationship between the course topic, equity, economy, and environmental dimensions and sustainability is a focus throughout the course.

Questions:

  1. Please describe what your students will know and be able to do (as related to sustainability) after taking this course.
  2. Please describe how they will be assessed
  3. Please highlight specific examples in your attached syllabus

W.M. Adams The Future of Sustainability: Re-thinking Environment and Development in the Twenty-first CenturyReport of the IUCN Renowned Thinkers Meeting, 29–31 January 2006. Retrieved on: 2009-02-16

(2006)

Agyeman, Julian, “Toward a 'Just' Sustainability” Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies. Dec2008, Vol. 22 Issue 6, p751-756. 6p.