Radford University
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

Sustainability is about creating economic and social systems that harmonize with the way the natural world works. Environmental Studies provides the knowledge base for creating a sustainable future.

o 18-22 hours of coursework
o Starts with GEOG140 – Introduction to Environmental Studies
o Students then take one eligible course in each of three content areas: Environment; Policy & Economics; Human Dimensions. Then, a second course in any of these three areas is required.
o The final credits for the certificate require a capstone experience (3-4 credits)

OVERVIEW: Students enrolled in the Sustainability and Environmental Studies and Sustainability Certificate program are required to develop an electronic portfolio during their field application course work, Area 5. An ePortfolio is an evolving, transportable collection, usually in the form of a website, that documents your learning, your work, and your accomplishments. Not only can you put relevant coursework in it, but you can tell your story around these artifacts.

The purpose of the portfolio is to demonstrate the student’s knowledge, skills, and dispositions as a result of completing the required coursework in all areas. The portfolio serves as the overall assessment tool to determine the student’s growth. The portfolio should consist of items such as, but not limited to: research papers; lab projects; tests; homework assignments; book and article reviews; and presentations, particularly the presentation of the student’s capstone experience. These items should be carefully selected and organized to represent the four global learning outcomes listed below:

Learning Outcome 1: Explain the complexity of earth’s biosphere and analyze the relationship between human societies and natural communities and processes;

Learning Outcome 2: Evaluate the impact of current behaviors on the environment and of changes resulting from particular public policies;

Learning Outcome 3: Identify and describe cultural, sociological and/or literary attempts to define, shape, and/or interact with the natural world; and

Learning Outcome 4: Students will be able to explain environmental studies and sustainability.

*Radford University has recently adopted a new general education model that focuses more on majors and minors instead of concentrations or certificate programs. The SESC program is being replaced by Sustainability and Environmental Studies-focused Majors and Minors.

International Studies is a multidisciplinary minor designed to complement any major by adding international perspectives and competencies to any chosen field of specialization. It provides a broad appreciation of contemporary global issues such as war and terrorism, human rights, refugees and migration, international trade, and climate change. Students will take two International Studies core courses and choose electives carrying the “A” and “E” designations in the REAL curriculum for their remaining courses. Through these learning experiences, students acquire important skills and knowledge to prepare them for success in future careers and a life of active world citizenship in our globalized society.