PSFA 100: Sustainable Development
3 Units, GE Foundations
Course Information
Fall 2013
Schedule# 22508, Blended/Hybrid
August 29 to December 5, 2013
Thursday
4:00 to 6:40 PM
PSFA 350
General Education Foundations, Social and Behavioral Sciences
This blended course is one of nine courses that you will take in General Education Foundations.
Foundations courses cultivate skills in reading, writing, research, communication, computation,
information literacy, and use of technology. They introduce you to basic concepts, theories and
approaches in a variety of disciplines in order to provide the intellectual breadth necessary to
help you integrate the more specialized knowledge gathered in your major area of study into a
broader world picture.
This course is one of two Foundations courses that you will take in the area of Social and
Behavioral Sciences. Upon completing this area of Foundations, you will be able to: 1) explore
and recognize basic terms, concepts, and domains of the social and behavioral sciences; 2)
comprehend diverse theories and methods of the social and behavioral sciences; 3) identify
human behavioral patterns across space and time and discuss their interrelatedness and
distinctiveness; 4) enhance your understanding of the social world through the application of
conceptual frameworks from the social and behavioral sciences to first-hand engagement with
contemporary issues.
Course Description
Key concepts, definitions, and measures of sustainable development. Interrelationships between
biodiversity and society. Integrated view of science of sustainable development. (SDSU General
Catalog & Announcement of Courses, 2013-2014)
This course introduces students to the study of social and behavioral sciences with a focus on the
application of sustainable development concepts. Fundamental principles of sustainability
relating to ecology, biodiversity, geology, climate change, urbanization, poverty, and population
growth will be studied. Students will examine contemporary debates and future implications of
sustainable development.
In order to accomplish its objectives, this course will involve reading, writing, classroom
activities, guest speakers, case studies, and videos.
This section of PSFA 100 is offered using a hybrid teaching format; some class meetings will be
replaced with activities on the internet.
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Instructor
Jessica Rinaman
Email: jrinaman@mail.sdsu.edu
Office hours: By appointment only
Telephone: 619-977-9349
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Add/Drop
The last day to:
Drop the class is September 5, 2013
Add the class or change grading basis is September 9, 2013
The University Registrar will not allow schedule adjustments after 11:59 p.m. on the above
dates.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will:
1. Synthesize the concepts related to sustainable development.
2. Explicate the major relationships between ecological processes and sustainability.
3. Explicate the major relationships between social-cultural change and sustainable
development.
4. Integrate environmental science, planning and management, and public policy.
5. Communicate the concept of sustainable development with a style and format that
supports the purposes of the intended audience.
Course Components
1. Reading assignments: Class discussion will be guided by the assigned readings from
Blackboard (https://blackboard.sdsu.edu); however, other resource materials may also be used to
supplement lecture. Students’ ability to participate in class discussions and complete
assignments will depend upon completion of the readings. Optional text for this class is
Handbook of Sustainable Development, (2007) and can be found in the Library’s digital editions.
2. In-class videos and exercises: Video programs and exercises will be introduced during class
sessions, to enhance or supplement course material.
3. Online assignments (100 points; 20 points each): Students are expected to comprehend the
main concepts addressed in class. Five online assignments, examining course content will be
conducted during the course of the semester.
4. Sustainability Guide for SDSU Students (150 points) and class presentation (50 points):
Students in the course will put together a guide to help students live a more sustainable life at
SDSU and beyond. This is your final project for the course and presentations of your guides will
take place during our scheduled final. This is a group activity; students will work in groups of 45 students each. The guide will be based on The Happiness Initiative
(http://www.sustainableseattle.org/sahi), a nationwide program, currently being coordinated by
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Sustainable Seattle. Further information about this assignment will be made available on the
Course Blackboard site, and will be discussed in class.
5. Collaborate: The instructor will make live online presentations on the topics and concepts
relevant to the course. Collaborate allows real time web-based chat-interactions between
students and the instructor. Attending the live presentation is important; if the student is unable
to attend Collaborate, he/she can view it later as it will be archived. Collaborate sessions will be
held on 9/26, 10/24 and 11/14 at 4:00 PM Pacific Time.
In order to attend Collaborate students will need to run the Setup Wizard available on
Blackboard. Please make sure you run the wizard on any computer that you might use to attend
Collaborate; otherwise, you won’t be able to attend Collaborate.
Tips for Participating in a Collaborate Session
 Before your first session visit the Blackboard Collaborate Support Center for First-Time
Users
 See First Time Users: Blackboard Collaborate web conferencing
 Complete Step 1: Checking System Requirements & Step 2: Configuring Your System
 View a 7-minute Participant Orientation
In-Session
 Be sure to join the session 5 – 10 minutes prior to the start.
 Set your Connection Speed to the Internet.
 Use the Audio Setup Wizard to test your microphone and speakers.
 Participate in the session by responding to polls and providing feedback.
 Raise your hand when you have a question or a comment.
 Use Chat to send text messages during the session.
 Remember that running other applications on your computer can slow your connection to
the session.
Contact Blackboard Collaborate Technical Support
 Available 24 hours/day - 7 days/week
 North America, Toll Free: 1 (877) 382-2293
Participate from a Mobile Device (iPhone / iPad)
 A free mobile app for iOS devices is available that allows you to participate in a session
directly from your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad! Students are able to fully interact during
the session:
 Join live classes or meetings from iPhone or iPad
 Interact via text chat and two-way audio
 View whiteboard content and shared applications
 Use emoticons, hand raising, polls, breakout rooms
 Connect directly from Blackboard on your mobile device
Evaluation
Points
150
50
100
300
Sustainability Guide for SDSU Students
Sustainability Guide Presentation
Online Assessments (5)
Total
3
Percentage
~50%
~17%
~33%
Grading
Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
D
F
Percentage (%)
93 and above
90-92.9
87-89.9
83-86.9
80-82.9
77-79.9
70-76.9
60-69.9
59.9 and below
Learning Environment
This course will involve lectures, discussion of assigned readings, in-class exercises, group
exercises, and videos. It is very important that students attend class in order to learn. Students
are responsible for the course material covered in class. SDSU’s course management system,
Blackboard, will be employed to make all course-related communication, syllabus, lectures, and
assignments available to students. In addition, students will be utilizing Blackboard to post
completed assignments and for discussions with classmates and the instructor. In case of lack of
familiarity with the Blackboard system, please obtain immediate training through Student
Computing Services.
Additional Information
Classroom conduct: Students are expected to arrive on time to class. Any student arriving later
than 10 minutes to class will not be allowed to participate in in-class bonus exercises assigned on
that particular day. When in class, students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional
manner, which includes refraining from eating food, chewing gum, using cell phones, reading
non-class materials, etc., when class is in session.
Attendance policy: Students are only permitted to make up graded course components missed
because of illness, mandatory religious obligations, certain University activities, or unavoidable
circumstances. Students are required to provide documentation for any absence before the
student is allowed to make up missed work. Students participating in University activities are
expected to give each instructor a statement before the absence signed by a responsible official
that specifies the dates and times the student will miss class. All planned absences should be
reported to the instructor, in writing, within the first two weeks of class.
Missed classes: Students are responsible for obtaining all course information and materials,
including online assignment instructions, missed as a result of absence from class. If the student
misses a class during which an in-class assignment or bonus in-class activity was conducted, no
make-up opportunities will be provided by the instructor.
Writing format: Since writing is an important component of this class, students are required to
spell-check their work before submitting it to the instructor. Assignments with spelling,
grammatical, and/or formatting errors will be penalized via point deductions.
Assignment submissions: All written assignments are to be submitted electronically via
Blackboard. Assignments should be posted by indicated time of the due-date. Assignments that
are late will incur a 20% deduction per day (including weekends) in overall grade for that
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particular assignment. Assignments received by email will not be accepted unless otherwise
noted.
Draft submissions: The instructor is willing to look at your assignments and offer suggestions
within 72 hours if you submit a draft at least 96 hours (4 days) before the due date. The review
of any drafts submitted less than 96 hours (4 days) is not guaranteed. Students are instructed to
submit draft assignments using ‘Digital Drop-Box’ on Blackboard. Send an email to notify the
instructor immediately after ‘digitally dropping-off’ the draft assignment.
Communication: The instructor will respond to student emails within 72 hours. Student emails
will be answered only during working days. Attachments of assignments, drafts, etc. will not be
accepted via email.
Blackboard submissions: All assignments that require Blackboard submissions must be posted
by the time and date indicated on course materials. After the indicated time of the assignment
deadline, Blackboard may disable the electronic posting feature for the assignment due.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Students who need accommodation of their disabilities should contact me privately, within the
first two weeks of the semester, to discuss specific accommodations for which they have
received authorization. If you have a disability, but have not contacted Student Disability
Services at 619-594-6473 (Calpulli Center, Suite 3101), please do so before making an
appointment to see me.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is simply the use of others’ words and/or ideas without clearly acknowledging their
source. As students, you are learning about other people’s ideas in your course texts, your
instructors’ lectures, in-class discussions, and when doing your own work. When you
incorporate those words and ideas into your own work, it is of the utmost importance that you
give credit where it is due. Plagiarism, intentional or unintentional, is considered academic
dishonesty and all instances will be reported to SDSU’s Office of Judicial Procedures. To avoid
plagiarism, you must give the original author credit whenever you use another person’s ideas,
opinions, drawings, or theories as well as any facts or any other pieces of information that are not
common knowledge. Additionally quotations of another person’s actual spoken or written
words; or a close paraphrasing of another person’s spoken or written words must also be
referenced. Accurately citing all sources and putting direct quotations – of even a few key words
– in quotation marks are required. For further information on plagiarism and the policies
regarding academic dishonesty go to the Course Catalog section on Standards for Student
Conduct (41310).
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Learning Modules and Tentative course calendar for PSFA 100
Module 1: What is Sustainable Development?
Student learning outcome: Synthesize the concepts related to sustainable development
Dates
Topics
Exercises
Presentations
8/29
*Concept of sustainable
*In-Class Assignment
*Story of Stuff (21
development
minutes)
*Historical overview of
*Blackboard assignment
sustainable development
due 9/5
*Definitions of sustainable
development
*Review the Happiness
Initiative website:
http://www.sustainableseattle.
org/sahi
-Take online survey
*Complete PowerSave Green
Campus survey (See e-mail
instructions)
Module 2: What is the relationship between environment, nature and sustainability?
Student learning outcome: Explicate the major relationships between ecological processes and
sustainability
Dates
Topics
Exercises
Presentations
9/5
*Ecological components
*In-Class Assignment
*SDSU Student Group
*Biodiversity principles
Presentation –
*Geological processes
PowerSave Green
*Floral and faunal
Campus (1 h 15 m)
composition
9/12
*Environmental pollution
* Biomimicry
*Introduce Sustainability
Guide for SDSU Students
-Attendance is VERY
IMPORTANT on this date
*In-Class: Submit team
strengths. See Project Brief.
*Natural resource depletion
*Global climate change
9/19
*In-Class Assignment
*Module #2 QUIZ due 9/26
*Submit sustainability
definition. See Project Brief.
(Due 9/24)
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*The Great Squeeze,
Surviving the Human
Project (20 minutes of a
67-minute video)
*Biomimicry
-Presentation by
Jacques Chirazi,
Program Manager,
Clean Tech at City of
San Diego
*Visit the SDSU
Children’s Center (45
minutes)
-Presentation by Robin
Judd, Center Director
-Meet in the classroom
Module 3: What is the relationship between good governance and sustainable development?
Student learning outcome: Integrate environmental science, planning and management, and public policy
Dates
Topics
Exercises
Presentations
9/26
*Environmental justice and
* Progress Report:
*Online session
sustainability
Sustainability Guide for
SDSU Students
* Watch Hans Rosling
TED Talk (10 minutes)
https://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=fTznEIZR
kLg
10/3
*Sustainability and
environmental policy
*Building Codes and
Ordinances
*In-Class Assignment
-Bring laptops or tablets
*Environmental Policy
-Presentation by Doug
Kot, Executive Director,
San Diego Green
Building Council
10/10
*Corporate sustainability
* In-Class Business Cases
*Responsible Business
-Presentation by
Jonathan Hanwit,
Founder and Director of
Client Services of
Parallax Visual
Communication
*Submit outline. See Project
Brief. (Due 10/15)
10/17
*Local sustainability
* Progress Report:
Sustainability Guide for
SDSU Students
*SDSU Student Group
Presentation –
PowerSave Green
Campus (1 h 15 m)
*Module #3 QUIZ due
10/24
Module 4: Does sustainable development impact well-being?
Student learning outcome: Explicate the major relationships between social-cultural change and
sustainable development
Dates
10/24
Topics
*Psychological well-being
Exercises
*Out-of-Class Assignment
*Physical health
*Submit introduction. See
Project Brief. (Due 10/29)
*Work on Sustainability
Guides in your teams
10/31
*Working session, no formal
class
11/7
*Material well-being
*Time or work-life balance
* Progress Report:
Sustainability Guide for
SDSU Students
* Module #4 QUIZ due
11/14
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Presentations
*Online session
*Working session. Meet
with teams outside of
class
*In class activity
Module 5: Can sustainability lead to a happier life?
Student learning outcome: Communicate the concept of sustainable development with a style and format
that supports the purposes of the intended audience
Dates
Topics
Exercises
Presentations
11/14
*Social vitality and
*In-Class Assignment
*Online session
connection
*Submit 5 Calls to Action.
See Project Brief. (Due
11/19)
11/21
*Education
*Arts and Culture
* Progress Report:
Sustainability Guide for
SDSU Students
*Module #5 QUIZ due
11/26
*Innovation and Arts
Integration
- Presentation by
Kimberly Stringfellow,
SDSU Assistant
Professor and
Environmental Artist
*SDSU Sustainable
Campus Tour –
PowerSave Green
Campus (45 minutes)
11/28 (no
class)
Thanksgiving break, campus
closed
Continue to work in your
teams to finalize projects
12/5
*Final lecture
* Submit Sustainability
Guide for SDSU Students
(7:00 p.m. submission
deadline)
*Final project questions
*Presentation by William
Powers, author
*Working session in class
*Blackboard group
assessment (Due 12/12)
12/12
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Presentations Sustainability Guide for SDSU Students
NOTE: The instructor will notify students early with regards to guest speaker presentations.
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