Course Descriptions
SUST 1000 What is Sustainability?
CREDIT HOURS: 6
Learning to live sustainably is humanity’s greatest and most exciting challenge. The first step is seeing ourselves – our histories, perceptions, intentions, and impacts – as integral to life on Earth. Using an interdisciplinary approach, we investigate the many conceptual frameworks that inform our understanding of sustainability. Through topics such as energy, water, land use, food, urbanization and social equity, we explore what sustainability means in our lives and to the planet. Students gain essential academic writing skills through participatory tutorials.
NOTES: Six credit hours in fall term.
FORMAT:
FORMAT COMMENTS: Meets full Writing requirement. Team taught lecture, required weekly tutorial.
EXCLUSIONS:
SUST 1400.03
SUST 1001 A Sustainable Future
CREDIT HOURS: 6
We explore pathways towards living sustainably in the world through different sustainability themes, such as energy, water, food, and urbanization. We consider diverse approaches to the challenges including technology, innovation, social change, and shifting values and policies. Drawing from these complementary perspectives on sustainability, we examine and analyse assumptions and practices for tackling major global challenges, in order to propose new environmental, economic, cultural and societal approaches and solutions. Students gain essential numeracy skills for understanding sustainability challenges through participatory tutorials.
NOTES: Six credit hours in winter term.
FORMAT:
SUST 1400 Exploring Sustainability
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This online course explores the concept of sustainability in dialogue with many related, and sometimes conflicting, ideas and frameworks. Academics from different disciplines, change-makers in the community, politicians, farmers, and non-profit leaders share their stories with us. We explore sustainability from a range of perspectives – including your own.
NOTES: Online course with lecture videos, readings, discussion board, quizzes, hands-on assignment and written assignments.
FORMAT: Online Delivery
EXCLUSIONS:
SUST 1000.06
SUST 2000 Local Governance, Citizen Engagement and Sustainability
CREDIT HOURS: 6
People make decisions that influence the way the world changes and the way in which it stays the same. This course is about people and how their roles and actions affect social and natural environments at the local level. We explore the roles and actions of individuals as consumers, citizens and as activists, and groups of people who work in local government, the legal system, the corporate and entrepreneurial sectors and with non-governmental organizations. The course uses a Problem Based Learning (PBL) approach to help us think critically as we explore the connections between people, their actions, and the complex issues associated with environmental and social sustainability.
NOTES: Six credit hours in fall term.
FORMAT:
FORMAT COMMENTS: Team taught lectures and weekly tutorial
PREREQUISITES: Any 1000-level SUST course or permission of the instructor.
SUST 2001 Global Environmental Governance
CREDIT HOURS: 6
This course examines the intersection between Global Political Economic Systems and Sustainable Development approaches. Various theories are used to explore the links between international relations, competing economic systems, globalization, financial markets, international law and institutions, conflict, and civil society. These issues are framed alongside ongoing Sustainable Development goals and initiatives to help show ongoing obstacles and opportunities for change. The course ends with students applying course material in two week-long simulated international negotiations.
NOTES: Six credit hours in winter term.
FORMAT:
PREREQUISITES: Any 1000-level SUST course or
INTD 2001.03 or SOSA/
POLI 1500.06 or
POLI 1065.03 or
ECON 1102.03
SUST 2105 Introductory Conflict Management for Sustainability
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Working towards sustainability requires collaboration between multiple individuals, groups, disciplines, and fields, which can lead us to disagreement and conflict. Working with conflict in a constructive way is therefore an important, complex, and ultimately positive component of the pursuit towards sustainability. In this course, we explore tools and models for developing interpersonal conflict management and communication skills so that we might transform our conflicts to opportunities for transformation and greater understanding. Our time is divided between in-person discussions and activity-based classes to allow you to put these skills into practice, and ongoing reflection, activities, and assessments. By the end of this course, you will be able to implement improved conflict communication skills in sustainability contexts as well as in your day-to-day personal life.
FORMAT: Other (explain in comments)
FORMAT COMMENTS: Lecture, activities, discussion
CROSS-LISTING:
MGMT 2105
RESTRICTIONS: Second year status or above
SUST 2106 Climate Change and Sustainability
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course introduces quantitative methods for understanding our environment and calculating change. Our natural environment is influenced by multiple natural and anthropogenic factors that can influence the trajectory of our ecosystems through time. Fundamentally, we must understand the past such that we can compare and understand the current context of global warming into perspective. This course focuses on the quantitative science behind understanding the Quaternary period, which represents the last 2.6 million years of the earth’s history. Topics will include the physical basis of climate change as well as the human activities that have influenced this change. A focus on research methods, including quantitative analysis of data, will enable students to understand how we know what we do about our past, and what it means for our future.
FORMAT:
CROSS-LISTING:
MGMT 2106
RESTRICTIONS: Second year status or above
EXCLUSIONS:
SUST 2950 (offered in Fall 2022 only)
SUST 2950 Topics in Environment, Sustainability and Society
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course addresses current interdisciplinary issues in sustainability with topics varying each semester. The course is taught by Dalhousie faculty, and/or visiting scholars. Please consult Academic Timetable for current offerings.
NOTES: This class is restricted to students in the Environment, Sustainability and Society (ESS) program, or with permission from the Academic Advisor in the College of sustainability.
FORMAT: Other (explain in comments)
FORMAT COMMENTS: Teaching format will vary depending on topic.
RESTRICTIONS: ESS Major, Minor or Certificate. Completed 30 credit hours.
SUST 3000 Environmental Decision Making
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Making decisions regarding our individual and collective choices for a sustainable future must account for the uncertainty and complexity inherent to development that is sensitive to ecological health, environmental trajectories, justice, and ethics. We explore several key challenges that confound decision-making and present a variety of decision support tools that can help us integrate diverse knowledge and values for theoretically better outcomes. Throughout the semester, learning related to the use of decision-making tools is supported through a series of tutorials that build on one another, culminating in a final decision-making assessment on a local, current case study.
FORMAT:
PREREQUISITES:
SUST 2000.06 or
SUST 2001.06
SUST 3002 ESS Engagement Project
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Students gain hands-on experience while addressing a question of personal and academic interest relevant to the field of environment and sustainability. Students work as interns for 6-8 hours per week over one semester on an approved project with a sponsoring agency.
NOTES: Offered in Fall, Winter and Summer terms. Instructor approval required for registration.
FORMAT: Experiential Learning
FORMAT COMMENTS: Project
PREREQUISITES:
SUST 2000.06 or SUST 2001.06 Cumulative GPA 3.0 or better. Must be in ESS program.
SUST 3038 Community-Engaged Research and Practice for Sustainability
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course provides students with an introduction to principles and case studies of community-engaged research for resource and environmental management. We begin by contextualizing community-engaged research in past and ongoing research practice and consider new innovative approaches in the field that are aimed towards empowering communities to guide research that is meant to support their needs and aspirations.
RESTRICTIONS: Third year standing or permission of instructor.
EXCLUSIONS: SUST 3957 offered in Fall 2022,
ENVI 5052 offered in Fall 2022
SUST 3039 Indigenous Perspectives on Resource and Environmental Management
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course explores Indigenous peoples’ relationships with natural resources and settler populations within a broad socio-politico-environmental context. We review legislation affecting Indigenous participation and leadership in resource and environmental management, and consider approaches to Indigenous community-partnered research. Course includes guest lectures by Elders and Indigenous leaders, readings by Indigenous scholars, and a field trip.
FORMAT:
CROSS-LISTING: MGMT 4039
RESTRICTIONS: Third year status or above, or permission of instructor.
EXCLUSIONS: SUST 3955.03 (Offered in Winter 2019),
ENVI 5039.03
SUST 3101 Food Systems and Sustainability: Feeding the 10 Billion
CREDIT HOURS: 3
On a planet of 8 billion heading to 10+ billion people, how we choose to feed ourselves now, and in the future, has profound implications for both human and non-human life and, ultimately, the stability of life support systems upon which modern human societies depend. This course is a focused exploration of the biophysical demands of feeding humanity and the known global-scale impacts. The complexities and trade-offs of major food systems are evaluated via tools such as Life Cycle Assessment and Dietary Scenario Analyses. Strategies to effect change are explored, including alternative production methods, shifting diets, and more.
FORMAT:
RESTRICTIONS: Third year status or above
EXCLUSIONS:
ENVI 5101.03 and
SUST 3950 (2018/19 and 2019/20) and
ENVI 5051 (2018/19 and 2019/20)
SUST 3102 Coastal Change & Adaptation
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Human activities alter coastal environments directly and by influencing natural processes. We analyse the drivers of change and impacts on environment, economy and society. Mitigation and management strategies for sustainable adaptation are investigated. Lectures are integrated with student presentations, guest lectures and discussion of current coastal and marine research.
FORMAT:
PREREQUISITES: Must be third year standing or above
CROSS-LISTING:
GEOG 3102.03
EXCLUSIONS: SUST 3952.03 (winter 2016 and winter 2017)
SUST 3103 Effective Argument in Sustainability
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This collaborative seminar challenges students to engage in argument and persuasion. Learn about the argumentative process and how to separate facts from opinions. Discussion topics emerge from the ESS Lecture Series. Contemplate multiple views on these controversial issues and become more confident and comfortable responding to the views of others.
FORMAT:
PREREQUISITES:
SUST 2000.06 or
SUST 2001.06
SUST 3104 Sustainability and the Non-Profit Sector
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course introduces the Canadian non-profit sector and its role in driving social change towards sustainability, equity and social justice at local, regional, national and international levels. It examines the important roles and contributions of NGOs in relation to the state and private sector, in achieving social, economic and ecological sustainability. Students will gain valuable practical skills and work with/for non-profit organizations in their areas of interest.
FORMAT:
- Lecture
- Experiential Learning
PREREQUISITES:
SUST 2000.06 or
MGMT 2304.03 or
INTD 2002.03 or permission of instructor.
CROSS-LISTING:
MGMT 3104
SUST 3106 The Canadian North: Environmental Change and Challenges
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course introduces the Canadian North through an examination of the challenges faced by northern peoples. Emphasis is placed on the causes and consequences of global environmental change, and interactions with ecological processes and challenges for the human environment. Inuit perspectives of ecological knowledge will complement discussions on planning and development in a warming future. Principles of ecosystem management and emergent challenges for a sustainable future will also be addressed.
FORMAT: Lecture
PREREQUISITES: Third year status or above, or permission of instructor.
CROSS-LISTING:
GEOG 3106.03
EXCLUSIONS:
ENVI 5106,
ENVI 5052 (W19, W20, F20, W21), SUST 3956 (W19)
SUST 3107 Communicating Sustainability: Media and Messaging
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Sustainability is one of the most crucial news topic of our time. Through a workshop-driven approach, this course will encourage students to read these stories through a critical lens, produce journalism that is true to the science, and work with journalists on this topic. Each week, students will identify and critique pieces from legacy media, such as radio, TV, newspapers, and magazines; online sources including social media, podcasts and vlogs; and even current academic journal articles. We will consider these stories from the perspective of subject specialists, media consumers, and journalists. We'll look at what makes a story effective, the credibility of its sources and evidence, and how to responsibly communicate complex issues to a general audience. In parallel with this analysis, students will pitch their own media project ideas to an ‘editorial board’ of students and instructors, who will offer feedback. Students will then work in interdisciplinary teams to develop a media work from a pool of refined project pitches.
RESTRICTIONS: Restricted from 0-59 credit hours
EXCLUSIONS:
SUST 3953.03,
JOUR 3575.03 (taken in Winter 2022 and Winter 2023),
ENVI 5052.03 (taken in Winter 2022 and Winter 2023)
SUST 3108 Green Finance & Environment, Social, and Governance Investing
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course explores rapidly growing markets Green Finance and Environmental Social and Governance investing. The class begins with an overview of general approaches to financial investing, combined with an examination of how ESG investing fits into these markets. The course also explores project evaluation, allowing students to better understand which offer the best opportunities for investment while creating the greatest ESG impact. Students will then practically apply these skills in two semester long projects. The first is to design, implement, and trade their own ESG investment portfolios. The second is to design, scope, outline, and budget an ESG project.
CROSS-LISTING: MGMT 3108
RESTRICTIONS: Third year standing or above
EXCLUSIONS:
SUST 3954 (taken in Winter 2022)
SUST 3301 Local Approaches to Sustainability
CREDIT HOURS: 3
The sustainability challenges that we face, both now and in the future, are large, complex, and often require unique and innovative solutions. As such, this locally-based field course offers collaborative learning opportunities to critically investigate and explore multi-faceted approaches to local sustainability issues. Excursions to community partners are combined with on-campus activities. We explore concepts of resiliency, active hope, community, and innovation. Through these concepts, we explore what it means to practice resilience as an individual in the face of sustainability challenges and adversity, applying what we learn from the local case studies to our own practices of resilience and active hope
NOTES: Field course including day field trips, lectures, and in-class activities.
FORMAT: Other (explain in comments)
FORMAT COMMENTS: Field trips, lectures, discussions
PREREQUISITES:
SUST 2000.06 or
SUST 2001.06
EXCLUSIONS: SUST 3951