Sustainable Development Minor

Sustainable Development is an interdisciplinary minor involving courses in sustainability and environmental studies from departments and colleges across campus. Courses emphasize experiential, project-based and service learning. The minor is designed to prepare students for the challenges and obligations of the 21^st century, specifically by contributing to UCCS and local organizations on issues relating to the environment and social equity, promoting economic vitality, and recognizing civic responsibilities both at home and abroad.

Outcomes, Sustainable Development Minor

• Identify core concepts and critiques of sustainable development
• Describe interconnections between community structures and influences on the environment
• Examine environmental, economic, and social aspects of sustainability from multiple academic disciplines
• Understand the disciplinary overlap of sustainability issues and approach holistic real-world problems from diverse perspectives
• Critically read, evaluate, and discuss sustainable development literature
• Demonstrate knowledge of the ever-increasing scholarship within the sustainable development literature

Rationale for Sustainable Development minor

Education for sustainability, often defined as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs by paying equal attention to issues of environmental impact, social equity, and economic prosperity,” is an imperative for colleges and universities; so much so, the United Nations has named 2005- 2015 the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. Because universities are an integral part of the global economy/ community, we have a fundamental responsibility to teach, train and conduct research for sustainability—creating a framework addressing environmental, social, and economic factors. We believe the success of higher education in the future will be judged in part by our ability to put forth a bold agenda, making sustainable development a cornerstone of our academic and administrative practices.

In the long term, this minor is expected to create a more responsible, active set of global citizens.

Academic Requirements

Students seeking the Minor in Sustainable Development must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours of course work, 12 of which must be upper division.

There are three components or general areas in sustainability— environment, equity, and economy. Students must choose one core course from two of the three general areas of environment, equity, and economy, and select at least one elective course from the third area. Students must also complete the two-credit course GES 4800—Sustainability Seminar, which provides an overview of sustainability principles as well as an opportunity for an in-depth group project that contributes to improved local sustainability.  The seminar culminates in a public presentation at the end of the semester.

Special topics courses, internships, independent studies or other courses that are not listed below may qualify for credit in the minor by consent of the Director of the Sustainable Development Minor. Students may double count up to nine credit hours between a major and the Sustainable Development Minor. Such double counting is permitted for at most one major and one stand-alone minor pair. Course work applied toward a minor may also be applied toward general education requirements.