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Virginia Tech, National Capital Region
Alexandria, Virginia, USA
Type: Curricula/Teaching Materials
Education Level: Continuing
Type of Material: Syllabus
Sustainability science is a new transdisciplinary approach that recognizes the limitations of traditional scientific inquiry in dealing with the complex reality of social institutions interacting with natural phenomena. This course will examine the "Core Questions of Sustainability Science" in a holistic and systemic manner, emphasizing critical thinking, synthesis, and integration. Students will explore how are long-term trends in environment and development, including consumption and population, reshaping nature-society interactions in ways relevant to sustainability. The international community has made limited progress in evaluating and mitigating the environmental costs of economic growth and sustainable development worldwide. New challenges and roles for scientists, however, are emerging in the formation of principles and practices of sustainability. This course examines both the role and limits of natural resources and the environment in relation to human political, social, and economic goals and aspirations. We will explore global environmental concerns related to "progress" and "development." A central issue will be can scientifically meaningful "limits" or "boundaries" be defined that would provide effective warning of conditions beyond which the nature-society systems incur a significantly increased risk of serious degradation? Throughout the course, we will provide readings, films, and guest lectures on scientific and societal issues.
URL: http://natrespro.nvgc.vt.edu/pdf_files/Sustainability%20Science.Syllabus.Sp09.pdf (Syllabus - full document)
Contact Information:
Mansi Grover Vyas
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PROJECTS
Minnesota 2050 Pathways to a... University of MinnesotaWorldwide Virtual Network of Young Practitioners Working... Knowledge Methodologies Sector (KAM), JRC-EC,... Water Allocation and Water Security: A Canadian... Department of Geography, University of... EVENTS
2009 Forum on Sustainability Science Programs. February 12, 2009 4 Degrees and Beyond. September 28, 2009 Great Transformation. June 8, 2009 MEMBERS
Harald Heinrichs, Universität Lüneburg, Germany Lila Khatiwada, University of Missouri-Columbia, United States Thangavel Palanivel, United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU/IAS), Japan PUBLICATIONS
Our Common Journey: A Transition Toward Sustainability.
National Research Council, Board on Sustainable Development.
What is Sustainable Development? Goals, Indicators, Values, and Practice.
Kates, Robert W., Thomas M. Parris, and Anthony A. Leiserowitz
Rethinking Community-Based Conservation. Berkes, Fikret
COMMENTARIES
A Case for More 'Joined Up Thinking'.
David Dickson, SciDev.Net
Industrial Sustainability through Biotechnology.
Peter C. K. Lau
Sustainable Development. ...
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