Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 67.43
Liaison Michael Chapman
Submission Date Dec. 11, 2013
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

Nova Scotia Community College
ER-5: Sustainability Course Identification

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Don Jardine
Academic Chair
Environmental Sustainability & Development School of Trades & Technology
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Has the institution developed a definition of sustainability in the curriculum?:
Yes

A copy of the institution's definition of sustainability in the curriculum?:

Sustainability is a broad concept encompassing interlinking dimensions of environmental responsibility, economic health, social equity and cultural vitality. As sustainability is not constricted by the ‘ability to sustain’, it calls for institutions to focus on creating sustainable futures that incorporate innovation, restoration and rejuvenation. At the heart lies the human element through which these dimensions interact and evolve. (Academic Planning, 2010)

Sustainability education provides learners (students and staff) with the knowledge and skills to support a healthy economy, society and environment.

In examining a course for aspects of sustainability, ask if the learners …
Develop skills necessary to implement sustainable solutions.
Are familiar with and can describe the connections between their chosen program of study/career path and sustainability.
View themselves as part of inter-connected world systems.
Synthesize understanding of social, economic, and environmental systems 
and discuss practical solutions to sustainability issues.
Understand how sustainable thinking and decision-making contributes to the process of solution-building for social, environmental, and economic crises.


A course does not have to accomplish all of these to be identified as sustainability-focused or sustainability-related.

Sustainability-focused courses concentrate on the concept of sustainability, including its social, economic, and environmental dimensions, or examine an issue or topic using sustainability as a lens.

Sustainability-related courses incorporate sustainability as a distinct course component or module, or concentrate on a single sustainability principle or issue.


Has the institution identified its sustainability-focused and sustainability-related course offerings?:
Yes

A brief description of the methodology the institution followed to complete the inventory:

Steering Committee members worked with Curriculum Consultants, program Lead Academic Chairs and Faculty Working Groups to review curriculum and self identify sustainability courses. Database searches conducted through Curriculum Services Co-ordinator, Academic Quality Assurance.


Does the institution make its sustainability course inventory publicly available online?:
Yes

The website URL where the sustainability course inventory is posted:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

File: Sustainability Course Inventory 2012.xls


File: Sustainability Course Inventory 2012.xls

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.