MCCCD Program Description

Sustainable World

Course: SUS110

First Term: 2016 Spring

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S- Standard

Description: Introduction to the field of sustainability and exploration of the interaction between human and natural global systems. Framework for analyzing and investigating the global challenges such as land use change, competition for water and other natural resources, and renewable energy concerns and crises.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Identify biogeochemical cycles (carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus) most relevant to sustainability (I, II) 2. Describe the water cycle and explain its relevance to sustainability (I, III) 3. Explain the energy flow and relate it to current issues in sustainability (I, IV) 4. Outline the basic concepts of ecosystem science (V) 5. Define and give examples of ecosystem services (benefits) (V) 6. Outline the state of the worlds renewable and non-renewable resources (VI) 7. Discuss the role of human values, aesthetics, preferences, and patterns of consumption in understanding and making decisions about sustainability (VII) 8. Discuss the relationship among poverty, inequality, and security (VIII) 9. Identify the impact of globalization and development on sustainability(IX)
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. Introduction to sustainability A. Interconnections (e.g. hurricanes can reduce drought) B. Consequences (i.e. intended and unintended outcomes such as damming and impacts to local fish populations) II. Biogeochemical cycles A. Carbon 1. Sources 2. Sequestration B. Phosphorous C. Nitrogen III. Hydrologic cycle A. Transfer processes (i.e. water cycle) B. Chemistry and pollution (e.g. storm water, sewage, septic leaching, soil salinization) IV. Energy Cycle A. Controls (e.g. solar output, atmospheric conditions, and land surfaces) B. Climate change (e.g. how determined, local and global impacts) V. Ecosystems A. Structure, function, and services (e.g. roles and environmental benefits of ecosystems) B. Productivity C. Biodiversity VI. Resources A. Renewable (e.g. status of wind, solar, tidal) B. Nonrenewable (e.g. status of fossil fuels, nuclear) VII. Social systems A. Values and aesthetics (e.g. cultural practices and expectations) B. Population and consumption (e.g. current trends and usages) C. Waste, pollution, hazards (e.g. infrastructure, health impacts from pollution and hazardous conditions) VIII. Political systems A. Relationship between poverty, inequity, security (e.g. consequences of poverty) B. Policy and legislation (e.g. investigation of governmental oversight) IX. Economic systems A. Globalization (e.g. investigation of driving factors such as socio-economical, technological, and political) B. International development (e.g. United Nations Millennial Declaration and development goals, targets and success indicators)

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: June 22, 2010

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.