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Sustainability

Course Code
SUST 200  Credits 3 
Title Nature of Sustainability 
Lasc Area Goal 2  
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course explores the concept of sustainability within the context of socio-environmental systems and examines topics of study from an individual perspective. Individual connections to sustainability issues within business, politics, and the social and natural sciences will be introduced. The trade-offs (environmental, social, and economic) associated with generating and using various resources will be examined, including a recognition that all individuals do not have the same ecological footprint. Evaluating these trade-offs requires a level of competency in information literacy, including identifying credible sources, and the development and application of logic and argumentation skills. Finally, we will explore what actions are possible to work towards a sustainable future. MnTC Goal 2.  



Course Code
SUST 290  Credits 1-3 
Title Topics in Sustainability 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Consideration of special problems or the study of sustainability topics at an introductory level. May be repeated for credit when topic varies. 



Course Code
SUST 390  Credits 1-3 
Title Topics in Sustainability 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Consideration of special problems or the study of sustainability topics at an advanced level. May be repeated for credit when topic varies. 



Course Code
SUST 394  Credits 1-3 
Title Sustainability Research 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Individual research: The project and its format must be accepted by the research advisor prior to registration. Course is repeatable, but only a total of 3 credits may count towards sustainability electives for the major. 



Course Code
SUST 421  Credits 3 
Title Systems Thinking 
Prerequisite SUST 200, PSCI 378, WS 330, HIST 379, ENGL 407  
Lasc Area Goal 8  
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course develops your ability to interpret any environmental issue within a systems thinking framework. Using a systems approach we will explore current trends and discuss future scenarios from a local to a global scale. A global perspective is essential to understanding the complexity of the Grand Societal Challenges facing our planet. MnTC Goal 8. 



Course Code
SUST 432  Credits 3 
Title Environmental Dilemmas 
Prerequisite SUST 200 PSCI 378 WS 330 HIST 379 ENGL 407 
Lasc Area Goal 9  
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course examines a series of case studies of environmental issues at the local, regional, and global levels that present complex dilemmas for humans to address. Potential solutions are viewed in the context of individual or societal ethical practices and moral obligations to other humans, non-human organisms, physical environments, and future generations. An introduction to moral theories and the examination of a variety of approaches to environmental ethics, such as anthropocentrism, bio/ecocentrism, deep ecology, ecofeminism, social ecology, and Leopold’s land ethic will provide the foundation for discussions of the case studies. MnTC Goal 9.  



Course Code
SUST 432  Credits 3 
Title Environmental Dilemmas 
Prerequisite SUST 200 PSCI 378 WS 330 HIST 379 ENGL 407 
Lasc Area Goal 9  
Course Outline Course Outline 
Writing Intensive Yes  
Description This course examines a series of case studies of environmental issues at the local, regional, and global levels that present complex dilemmas for humans to address. Potential solutions are viewed in the context of individual or societal ethical practices and moral obligations to other humans, non-human organisms, physical environments, and future generations. An introduction to moral theories and the examination of a variety of approaches to environmental ethics, such as anthropocentrism, bio/ecocentrism, deep ecology, ecofeminism, social ecology, and Leopold’s land ethic will provide the foundation for discussions of the case studies. MnTC Goal 9.  



Course Code
SUST 469  Credits 1-12 
Title Internship 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description A supervised work experience generally involving a field in which the student can apply their sustainability knowledge. Work experience may be in the private, non-profit, non-governmental or governmental sector. Course is repeatable, but only a total of 3 credits may count towards the sustainability major. A maximum of 12 internship credits may be applied towards your MSUM degree. 



Course Code
SUST 492  Credits 1 
Title Seminar: Sustainability Capstone 
Prerequisite SUST 421 and SUST 432 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course serves as a capstone course for sustainability majors during their internship experience to help them prepare for a successful postgraduate career experience.