Sep 12, 2024  
2024-2025 University Catalog 
    
2024-2025 University Catalog

Sustainability Studies. B.A.


The Sustainability Studies program facilitates deeper student exploration of complex interrelationships among contemporary environmental, social and economic problems and their solutions. In addition, courses will help student’s articulate personal philosophies and behaviors to guide more sustainable lifestyles and prepare them for diverse careers in sustainability-related fields. After completing courses in Sustainability Studies, students will be expected to have the interdisciplinary knowledge and skills to think clearly and critically about the complexity of interrelated environmental, social, and economic systems and communicate across disciplines and with varied stakeholders to more effectively work as part of teams engaged in seeking solutions to problems of sustainability within the business sector, government and non-governmental agencies, the public policy realm, and environmental organizations, among other institutions. In short, the acquisition of a broader, synthetic understanding of complex contemporary sustainability-related issues will allow RWU graduates to contribute more effectively in their future careers and as public citizens to creating a more sustainable future for humanity and other species on Earth.

B. Complete 1 Track


Track 1: Ecological & Environmental Management, 6 courses, 18+ credits


Track 2: Ecological Design, 6 courses, 18 credits


Note: Students who complete the Ecological Design track may not also complete a Minor in Architecture.

Track 3: Science and Technology Communication 7 courses 23+ credits


Math Placement: Completion or of placement into MATH 136 or MATH 213 or MATH 214

Required Courses


Math Placement: Completion or of placement into MATH 136 or MATH 213 or MATH 214

Track 4: Transformative Leadership Development and Organizational Change, 6 courses, 18 credits


Track 5 Individualized Studies, 6 courses, 18+ credits


In consultation with their advisor, students will choose 6 courses relevant to Sustainability Studies, including those listed as Breadth Electives.  At least 4 of the courses in the track should be at the 200-level or above.  For breadth electives, courses that are not included in the individualized track must be taken, perferably those different from the main areas of emphasis in the track.  The track and electives options must be approved by the Sustainability Studies Faculty Committee.

Note: Only one course from the Individualized track may be used to fulfill requirements for a Minor.

C. Breadth Electives, 4 courses, 12+ credits


To insure students gain a broader knowledge base reflecting the many disciplines that contribute to Sustainability Studies, choose 4 courses from the 2 breadth categories (A and B), at least one from each category neither of which are on the course list for the chosen track.  One of the following three courses can be used to fulfill one breadth elective category, depending on its content:

 

  • SUST 430 - Special Topics in Sustainability Studies
  • SUST 450 - Independent Research
  • SUST 469 - Internship