ENVSTY 230: Introduction to Sustainability

In this course, students will be introduced to the basics of sustainability science, a problem-driven, interdisciplinary scholarship seeking to facilitate the design, implementation, and evaluation of effective interventions that foster shared prosperity and reduce poverty while protecting the environment. Students will explore the dual challenge of the need to understand how societal dynamics and environmental dynamics interact over time AND how they help induce or inhabit the functioning of socio-ecological systems. This course introduces students to theories, concepts, mechanisms, analytical frameworks and tools, research designs, and basic data to help advance the understanding of the dynamic relationship between societal changes and environmental changes. Topics explored will include systems dynamics, historical perspectives on natural resource use, economic growth, and sustainability, quality of life, and use of renewable and non-renewable resources. Students will write a 6 to 10 page final paper on sustainability science problem suitable for Writing Proficiency Portfolio.