University at Albany
ER-5: Sustainability Course Identification

An informal group was convened in the spring/summer of 2012 to create a working definition for sustainability as well as develop the scope of sustainability related projects. The definition and scope of sustainability was compiled by the following individuals: Jeremy Grunstra, Graduate Assistant, Environmental Sustainability Dr. Gary Kleppel, Professor in the Biology Department Dr. David Lewis, Professor in the Geography and Planning Department Dr. Mary Ellen Mallia, Director of Environmental Sustainability Dr. Kendra Smith-Howard, Professor in the History Department The determination of sustainability courses and research projects was conducted by Mary Ellen Mallia and Jeremy Grunstra using the template developed below. Preamble: Sustainability’s broadest definition entails “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Brundtland 1987). At UAlbany, this translates into creating a citizenry whose understanding of and commitment to environmental sustainability informs and shapes the choices they make in their everyday lives, in the communities in which they live and work, in their careers and in the myriad other ways they serve as citizens in a democratic society. Definition: Sustainability entails recognizing one’s membership in the broader social and ecological community, exhibiting appreciation of and respect for others and the natural world, and acting justly to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of human communities and natural systems. Template: Society - JusticeHuman interaction Environmental Justice Quality of Life Human Health Education Mental and Social Well-Being Crime Prevention Human Rights Community Enhancement Development of Social Culture Environment - Stewardship Interaction with the natural world Preservation of Environment Climate Change Carbon Footprint Prevent Pollution Conservation of Resources Economics - Equity Ecological valuation Valuation of Externalities Lifecycle Analysis Fair Cost Accounting Employment Security Fair Compensation Poverty Labor rights A sustainability focused course is one which concentrates on the concept of sustainability or examines an issue or topic using sustainability as a lens. A sustainability related course is one that incorporates sustainability as a course component, theme, module or concentrates on a single sustainability principle or issue with an existing course.

When inventorying the courses offered by the University at Albany, we researched the courses offered by each school and department at the University using the course title and the full course descriptions to decide whether or not the course was related to or focused on sustainability. If the course description suggested that the course covered multiple topics under the umbrella of sustainability we considered it a sustainability-focused course. If the course description discussed one or two major tenets of sustainability we considered it a sustainability-related course.