Class Syllabus

Class Resources

Sustainability Links

Sustainability Jobs

&

Sustainability Internships

 

 

Welcome to the Sustainable Living Class Web page

 

Sustainable Living  - SPRING 2010
PLSOILIN 185 - 3 credits; GenEd – “I”

Tentative Schedule and Syllabus

T/TH 4:00-5:15pm

N 329 Morrill Science Center

 

 “A human being is part of a whole, called by us the ‘Universe’ —a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts, and feelings, as something separated from the rest—a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”

Albert Einstein


DESCRIPTION: Sustainable Living introduces students to diverse global perspectives and practical personal solutions to help move us in the direction of long-term sustainability. The course focuses on the impact our daily decisions make on the global condition. Students will learn from faculty, local practitioners of sustainable living, and each other about energy, food, land use, water and air, waste, housing, personal health, and community. WARNING: this class focuses largely on personal decision-making and some students have found this quite challenging.  To be successful, your full participation is REQUIRED.  Please do not register for this class if you are not willing to make a commitment to attend at least 90% of the classes!

Sustainable Living, will introduce you to global challenges, while helping you learn about practical solutions that may be implemented in your daily lives. This class is dedicated to helping you learn to make personal and professional decisions that support the three interconnected objectives of sustainability; economic viability, environmental integrity, and social equity.  See the syllabus for more details.

Access to SPARK is required for this class.  If you do not have an OIT account, please get one!

An individual (not shared) PRS “clicker” is also required for this class.  If you do not like to use the clicker – don’t take the class!

For more information, contact John Gerber at jgerber@psis.umass.edu, call 545-5301 or stop by 308 Bowditch Hall.  Also, if you were not able to register for this class I will be offering an online version during the January, Summer and Spring terms.  Please see this link for more information.

 

©2009 John M. Gerber .  If you think this cartoon illustrates a fundamental problem; this class may be for you!