Portland Community College
AC-2: Learning Outcomes

One of PCC's core learning outcomes is Community and Environmental Responsibility. This applies to all students pursuing transfer degrees and gen ed degrees (AS, ASOT, AAOT, AGS). This outcome covers about 70% of our students. Those not covered include certificate and career pathways students. "Community & Environmental Responsibility - Apply scientific, cultural and political perspectives to natural and social systems and use an understanding of social change and social action to address the consequences of local and global human activity."

The college has a Sustainability Focus Award. Focus Awards recognize the completion of a collection of courses in an area of study. By taking the courses required for a Focus Award, students deepen and broaden their knowledge and experience in that particular area of study. The PCC Sustainability Focus Award is designed for students who are interested in exploring the interdependent social, economic and environmental pillars of sustainability (the triple-bottom-line) topics from multiple perspectives, and in increasing their course experience in this multi-disciplinary topic. By earning this Focus Award, the student demonstrates to potential employers and transfer colleges a deep and broad understanding of sustainability issues. More info: http://catalog.pcc.edu/focusawards/sustainabilityfocusaward/

In addition to the College core learning outcome, the SPARC Council has created 7 Green Outcomes for faculty to embed into their curriculum for sustainability focused and related courses. The outcomes represent an inter-disciplinary approach and faculty from all departments are encouraged to enhance their courses with sustainability by incorporating one or two of these outcomes. These are voluntary and pre-approved by the Education Advisory Council. 1. Critically examine the complex and interconnected relationship between human behavior and the environment through a lens of sustainability and “the triple bottom line” (people, planet, profit). 2. Critically evaluate the root causes of environmental problems, including historical, cultural, ethical, political, economic, social, structural, and/or infrastructural issues, in order to recommend, implement and/or engage in problem-solving to address the challenges and opportunities of promoting sustainable development. 3. Examine existing and alternative resource use and identify quantitative or qualitative processes to educate and provide services to prevent, reduce, or mitigate environmental degradation and increase resource and energy efficiency. 4. Express the significance of environmental sustainability in written, oral, artistic, physical, and/or mechanical forms. 5. Use an awareness of the impacts of ecological issues and policies on communities of diverse backgrounds, on the local, regional, national, and international level, in order to interact with sensitivity, respect, and a sense of responsibility to others and the future. 6. Apply sustainable practices in the workplace and communities, as citizens, and/or in the development of public policy. 7. Apply an understanding of basic ecological principles (the interconnectedness of organisms to each other and their environment) to environmental problems and sustainability issues.