University of Northern Iowa
ER-9: Sustainability Learning Outcomes

Sustainability learning outcomes are incorporated into the institution's Liberal Arts Core (LIC) in many areas. The most common area is within the capstone experience on campus that is required for all students. Capstone courses are designed to prepare UNI students for the complex world of ideas that they will experience during their lives as educated citizens. These courses are integrative and sufficiently flexible in content to allow and encourage widespread participation by UNI faculty. At UNI the capstone experience was traditionally listed as CAP:140, Environment, Technology, and Society. It was a course that was focused on sustainability. In recent years other focuses for the capstone experience have been proposed and integrated into the curriculum. Some of these new sections are related or focused on sustainability, while others are not.

An example of learning outcomes from Environment, Technology and Society: • an understanding of the energy and environmental issues underpining ecological sustainability in Iowa • a tested pedagogical technique for encouraging attitudinal and behavior changes that would foster sustainability • a mechanism for carrying out responsible environmental actions having a positive impact on sustainability • participation in summer internships and service learning projects to integrate theory with positive actions related to energy and environmental sustainability.

The number of total graduates was based on number of degrees awarded from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010. Information compiled by the Office of Institutional Research. The number of graduates covered by sustainability learning outcomes was based on the proportion of UNI students that have taken CAP:140 and other Sustainability related/focused capstone experiences, versus those new capstone experiences that are not focused on sustainability.