Principia College
AC-2: Learning Outcomes

Math and Natural Science Division(*): "The study of natural sciences and mathematics cultivates understanding of and care for the environment; it motivates ethical decisions, and integrates critical and scientific thinking into every educational experience." (*) Sustainability is housed in the MNS Division

Sustainability (major, minor): 1. Be able to explain the key factors of sustainability 2. Be able to discuss sustainability from different perspectives and scales 3. Be able to research, design, apply, and evaluate solutions to sustainability problems 4. Be able to demonstrate the leadership and communications skills necessary to be an "agent for change" Biology (major, minor): 1. Demonstrate foundational knowledge in the Biological and Environmental Sciences 3. Demonstrate the ability to communicate science and scientific findings to society Environmental Studies (major, minor): 1. Demonstrate foundational knowledge in the Biological and Environmental Sciences 3. Demonstrate the ability to communicate science and scientific findings to society Global Studies (major, minor): 1. Demonstrate understanding of globalization, including the complex nature of and the interplay among local, national, regional, and global systems 2. Evaluate structures of inequality within the context of complex systems (e.g. race, ethnicity, class, religion, gender, etc.) 3. Apply transdisciplinary, solution-oriented strategies to complex global issues 4. Apply relevant theories and/or analytical frameworks to global phenomena 5. Demonstrate global citizenship Sociology and Anthropology (minor) "Cultural sensitivity, compassion, integrity, communication, community-based problem solving, and critical observation are all values we strive to have our students express as agents for social change." (Principia College Catalog)

Several courses in departments other than SUS have courses with specific sustainability learning outcomes. Here are a few examples: ARTS 295 Sustainable Design (S'21 syllabus): "This course empowers students to understand and shape the built environment through practices that represent an expanded understanding of sustainable design: just, energy efficient, climate-adaptive, materially responsible, and ecologically productive." BNR 190 Global Environmental Issues (S'20 syllabus): Students will study major environmental issues that are global in scale. By examining topics such as human population growth, water shortages, agriculture and food security, sustainable development, climate change, etc. students will learn to think critically about environmental issues. They will also learn to recognize and sort through the many conflicting perspectives that surround most of these issues. BUAD 270 Sustainable Business (S'21 syllabus): "The course learning outcomes are to gain an understanding of: (i) key concepts related to sustainable business and economics; (ii) various strategies available to businesses to increase sustainability; (iii) public policy approaches for a more sustainable economy; and (iv) the range of debates and perspectives related to a more sustainable future economy." GLBS 225 Global Issues (S'18 Syllabus): "By actively participating in this course, students should be able to: (i) Identify and discuss elements of 'wicked problems'; (ii) Apply concepts from multiple disciplines to understand the complexity of important global problems; (iii) Explain how local, regional, and national issues shape a global problem in a specific location; and (iv) Identify solution-oriented approaches to complex, multidisciplinary global issues." RELS 222 The Bible and the Environment (F'20 syllabus) "This course helps you achieve the following Sustainability Learning Outcomes: (i) demonstrate an ability to think critically about the diversity of ethical issues raised by human interactions with the environment, and to use these ethical insights as a foundation for sustainable behavior; (ii) demonstrate appreciation for the wide variety of perspectives, preferences, and priorities among stakeholders and the need for communication and collaboration among them; (iii) display the ability to think across scales, from individual to global; (iv) demonstrate a knowledge of personal and societal barriers to change and possible solutions; and (v) demonstrate a knowledge of strategies to motivate sustainable behavior by individuals and institutions."

This credit has been revised based on AASHE peer-review comments.