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Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation
Introduction to Sustainability
Course: SUS100

First Term: 2011 Summer I
 Lecture   3 Credit(s)   3 Period(s)   3 Load  
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S


Description: Introduction to the basic concepts of sustainability. Includes challenges of land, ocean, and resource management, as well as the built environment. Also covers connections between global, local and personal sustainability challenges and responses at each level.



MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Define sustainability. (I)
2. Summarize the major concepts of sustainability including underlying principles and methods of study. (I)
3. Describe sustainability concerns with diminishing resources. (I, II, III, IV)
4. Describe land sustainability challenges. (II)
5. Explain land management strategies. (II)
6. Compare and contrast ocean sustainability issues. (III)
7. Explain ocean sustainability strategies. (III)
8. Differentiate between various types of energy. (IV)
9. Compare and contrast sustainability issues concerning oil and mineral reserves. (IV)
10. Describe sustainability issues concerning freshwater and climate. (IV)
11. Explain the role of humanity in sustainability. (V)
12. Analyze the impact of globalization on sustainability. (V)
13. Analyze the connections between economy, society and the environment. (V, VI, VII)
14. Compare and contrast sustainable development with economic growth. (V, VI)
15. Describe challenges of the built environment in the sustainability process. (VI)
16. Examine issues, challenges and responses at global levels of sustainability. (VII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.
 
MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Sustainability
   A. Definition
   B. Principles
   C. Methods of Study
      1. Interdisciplinary
      2. Systems Thinking
II. Land
   A. Soil
   B. Plants
      1. Forests
      2. Crops
   C. Ecosystems
   D. Challenges
   E. Management
   F. The Future
III. Ocean
   A. Characteristics
   B. Technology
   C. Issues
      1. Depletion
      2. Pollution
   D. Management
   E. Ownership
   F. The Future
IV. Elements
   A. Energy
      1. Fossil Fuels
      2. Nuclear
      3. Renewable
   B. Freshwater
   C. Climate
   D. Mineral Reserves
   E. Issues
   F. Management
      1. New Energies
      2. Efficiency
V. Civilization
   A. Growth
      1. Population
      2. Technological
      3. Economic
      4. Educational
   B. Role
      1. Data Collection
      2. Decision Making
      3. Process
   C. Globalization
   D. Management
VI. Built Environment
   A. Definition
   B. Regulations
   C. Challenges
      1. Design
      2. Construction
      3. Economics
   D. Management
VII. Levels of Sustainability
   A. Global
      1. Issues
      2. Challenges
      3. Responses
   B. Local
      1. Issues
      2. Challenges
      3. Responses
   C. Personal
      1. Issues
      2. Challenges
      3. Responses
   D. Interconnectedness
      1. Society
      2. Economy
      3. Environment
 
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 5/24/2011

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.