| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 57.64 |
| Liaison | Sean MacInnes |
| Submission Date | Feb. 7, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of North Carolina, Greensboro
AC-1: Academic Courses
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.52 / 14.00 |
Anne
Barton Associate Program Chair Strong Residential College |
Figures required to calculate the percentage of courses offered by the institution that are sustainability course offerings:
| Undergraduate | Graduate | |
| Total number of courses offered by the institution | 2,221 | 1,037 |
| Number of sustainability courses offered | 110 | 26 |
| Number of courses offered that include sustainability | 43 | 18 |
Percentage of courses that are sustainability course offerings:
Total number of academic departments (or the equivalent) that offer courses (at any level):
Number of academic departments (or the equivalent) that offer at least one sustainability course and/or course that includes sustainability (at any level):
Percentage of academic departments with sustainability course offerings:
A copy of the institution’s inventory of its sustainability course offerings and descriptions:
Do the figures reported above cover one, two, or three academic years?:
A brief description of the methodology used to determine the total number of courses offered and to identify sustainability course offerings, including the definitions used and the process for reviewing and/or validating the course inventory :
To determine the total number of courses offered at UNCG, we requested a list of every course offering for the academic years 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-8 from Institutional Research. We then had IR remove courses that were independent studies such as honors work, thesis, dissertation, internships, directed readings, and clinical/practicum experiences and courses that served as placeholders such as Study Abroad and course numbers for registration at institutions in our local consortium.
To identify 'sustainability courses' and 'courses that included sustainability' we used the definitions provided by AASHE/STARS. "Sustainability courses are courses in which the primary and explicit focus is on sustainability and/or on understanding or solving one or more major sustainability challenge," and "[a] course that includes sustainability is primarily focused on a topic other than sustainability, but incorporates a unit or module on sustainability or a sustainability challenge, includes one or more sustainability-focused activities, or integrates sustainability issues throughout the course."
To compose our list of 'sustainability courses' and 'courses that include sustainability', we began with the courses that compose the major requirements and major electives within the three concentrations in the Environmental and Sustainability Studies program. To confirm and add to that list, we consulted with the Departments of Biology, Geography, and Interior Architecture since so many of their courses are concerned with issues of sustainability.
How were courses with multiple offerings or sections counted for the figures reported above?:
A brief description of how courses with multiple offerings or sections were counted (if different from the options outlined above):
Are the following course types included in the inventory? :
| Yes (included) or No (not included) | |
| Internships | No |
| Practicums | No |
| Independent study | No |
| Special topics | No |
| Thesis / dissertation | No |
| Clinical | No |
| Physical education | Yes |
| Performance arts | Yes |
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
When determining the number of undergraduate and graduate courses taught in each of these academic years and then when identifying those that were 'sustainability courses' or 'courses that included sustainability', we elected to count 100-500-level courses as undergraduate courses and 600-700-level courses as graduate courses. While it is true that in many departments both undergraduates and graduates may take 500-level courses, across the university those courses are predominantly populated by undergraduates which is why we included the 500-level courses in the undergraduate counts.
When determining the number of undergraduate and graduate courses taught in each of these academic years and then when identifying those that were 'sustainability courses' or 'courses that included sustainability', we elected to count 100-500-level courses as undergraduate courses and 600-700-level courses as graduate courses. While it is true that in many departments both undergraduates and graduates may take 500-level courses, across the university those courses are predominantly populated by undergraduates which is why we included the 500-level courses in the undergraduate counts.
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.