Indiana University South Bend
AC-2: Learning Outcomes

The program level sustainability learning outcomes for the Sustainability Studies degree are: 1) Identify the foundational literacies and concepts of sustainability associated with understanding environment, economy and society and the relationships between them. 2) Utilize interdisciplinary perspectives for learning and application of knowledge about sustainability. 3) Employ a systems approach to sustainability that demonstrates holistic thinking, integration and complexity. 4) Determine appropriateness and applicability of existing sustainability tools and frameworks, such as The Natural Step (TNS), LEED, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Biomimicry, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Energy Star, Cradle to Cradle. 5) Use the competencies of innovation and apply them in the use of sustainability as a platform for innovation. 6) Apply collaboration and leadership skills to foster sustainability teamwork. 7) Practice transformative thinking to become an effective change agent. 8) Demonstrate an ethical sensibility and capacity for hope, empathy, inspiration, and optimism. 9) Employ skills of persuasion in a variety of ways (rhetoric and argument, media, public relations, political/community organizing). 10) Formulate and implement sustainability action plans and solutions in real-life settings (household, workplace, organizations, and community) and through civic engagement.

Depending on the Sustainability Studies course, specific courses address some of the program learning objectives. For example, the goal of the introductory course is to provide students with a basic level of competence (familiarity, understanding vs. strong application skills) of all of the learning objectives. The Icelandic Land Ethics course is an upper level undergraduate course that focuses on the following Sustainability Studies objectives of: framing basic concepts of systems thinking within a framework of strategic sustainability planning grounded in scientific data, ethics, and the lived human experience; identifying connections between environment, economy, and society and the impact that individual behavior, culture, and major social institutions have on development of sustainability practices both in the United States and abroad, including that of Iceland; identifying real world examples of sustainability and innovation opportunities which develop practical skills bringing value to communities through empowered and engaged citizens; utilizing interdisciplinary perspectives for learning and application of knowledge about sustainability; and, demonstrating an ethical sensibility and capacity for hope, empathy, inspiration, and optimism. The complete list of the Sustainability Studies learning objectives are listed above.

The Sustainability Studies governing board regularly reviews curriculum, and completes an assessment report each year that is reviewed by a Campus assessment committee. The BA degree program and Graduate Certificate in Strategic Sustainable Leadership are included in this assessment. An external review of the Sustainability Studies program is completed every 5-7 years. The 2018 Annual Assessment summary for Indiana University South Bend is attached showing the overview of the Sustainability Studies program. Data for this credit was also retrieved at the IU Institutional Research page of IU's website. https://uirr.iu.edu For data relating to "Total number of graduates from degree programs (i.e. majors, minors, concentrations, certificates, and other academic designations), and Number of students that graduate from programs that have adopted at least one sustainability learning outcome refer to the "Completions Report"; To retrieve the data for the total number of students select the year, IPEDS Reporting Campus, Campus (IUSB), Group Description (All), IPEDS Degree Level (All), and scroll to the bottom of the report for the Grand Total. To retrieve the Data for the Program and Course Level Learning Outcomes from the Completion report, select the year, IPEDS Reporting Campus, Campus (IUSB), Group Description (College of Liberal Arts & Sciences), IPEDS Degree Level (All), and look under Sustainability for the grand total. You can also hover over the headers, i.e. campus, program description, and plan description to expand or collapse those sections IUSB. https://tableau.bi.iu.edu/t/prd/views/uirr_sr_completions/CompletionsbyPlan?%3Aembed=y&%3AshowShareOptions=true&%3Adisplay_count=no&%3AshowVizHome=no#1