Sustainability Course Inventory 2014
Prepared by: Joanna Epp, Ecological Stewardship Committee Intern
Reviewed and Revised by:
Sustainability Courses
BIOL 110 Ecology and Evolution
An introductory course that examines fundamental principles related to the evolution of
life on earth and the ecological relationships between living things and their environment.
The course also explores the application of ecological and evolutionary principles to
enduring interdisciplinary questions: What does it mean to be human, created in God's
image, and charged with restoring ecological systems?
BIOL 207 Roots of Environmental Crisis
What are the roots of our current environmental crisis? Can religious, economic, cultural, political,
and/or biological worldviews help us understand the challenges? The course will analyze our local use of
natural resources (both on campus and in Goshen city). The course will center on giving students
opportunities to propose (and implement) restorative solutions
BIOL 220 Properties & Management of Soils
A comprehensive introduction to the field of soil science with emphasis on scientific principles and their
application to solve practical soil management problems. Topics will include soil formation, soil physical
properties, soil organisms and ecology, and practical nutrient management.
BIOL 230 Small Farm Mgmt/Produce Marketing
This course teaches skills necessary for making a farm or market garden an economic success, including
finding land, planning appropriate marketing strategies for selected crops, and managing income and
expenses. Community supported agriculture (CSA) and other direct marketing options will be studied
and local farmers and entrepreneurs will share from their experience.
BIOL 312 Land Management
Basic principles of the management of natural ecosystems for various values or functions. Includes
principles of restoration of disappeared or damaged ecosystems. Focus on wetlands, prairies and natural
grasslands and forests, primarily as a field course.
BIOL 313 Landscape Limnology
(Cross-listed with SUST 313) This course examines the physical, chemical and biological variables of
freshwater lakes, streams and wetlands, which influence living organisms in these aquatic ecosystems.
Emphasis on how their interactions contribute to the environmental, economic and social health of
watersheds that make up every landscape.
BIOL 316 Vegetable Crops
This course provides an understanding of the role of the environment in plant growth and development
and focuses on the basic principles of sustainable vegetable production. Topics will include
environmental factors influencing plant growth and crop production, preparing and planting the field,
extending the growing season, and handling crops after harvest. Students will practice production
techniques on college-operated acreage.
BIOL 318 Agroecology
Study of sustainable food production, investigating the ecological impacts of manipulating natural
systems to produce food, feed, fiber and medical products. Ecological concepts are discussed and their
principles applied to sustainable food production that supports community culture and economy. Topics
will include the theoretical basis of agroecology, alternative production systems, and ecological
management of diseases, insect pests and weeds.
BIOL 324 Advanced Field Ecology
This course applies ecological paradigms toward restoration of degraded and damaged systems. Field
components at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center will allow students to gain experience in a
variety of restoration techniques relevant to prairie, Academic departments and courses: Biological
sciences 87 wetland, and forest habitats. Team-taught by professors with interests in merging
theoretical ecology with practical ecological restoration.
BIOL 335 Natural Resources Seminar
A broad survey course that investigates policies regulating natural resources. The class covers the
rationale, content, process and origins of contemporary state, tribal, federal and international resource
policies.
BIOL 340 Field Experience Environmental Educ
Participants will develop and conduct interpretive programs in nature study for visiting school groups;
observe practices related to managing a natural area and participate in discussions of environmental
issues. Instruction takes place at the Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center.
BIOL 345 Forest Resources
Study of the function, value and use of forest resources, including management of forests for harvest,
water quality, biodiversity, aesthetics and recreation. Significant time spent in the field at forestland
sites.
ECON 209 Environmental Economics
In this course we consider how economic activity affects the environment and how environmental
destruction can, in turn, harm the economy. We apply the concepts of externalities, public goods and
open-access resources to topics such as air pollution, climate change and green business practices.
ECON 312 Natural Resource Economics
In this course we examine how businesses utilize the earth's resources to provide goods and services.
We assess whether natural resources are being used efficiently and sustainably, discussing policies and
practices to correct market failures. Topics include fossil fuels, renewable energy and sustainable
management of forests and fisheries.
ECON 314 Ecological Economics
The emerging field of ecological economics balances the goal of economic efficiency against those of
ecological sustainability and social justice. In this course we explore the "triple-bottom-line" (sustainable
scale, just distribution and efficient allocation), applying these principles to business, government and
individual decision-making.
HIST 345 Environmental History
A comparative studies in world history course. Exploration of human interaction with the environment
over time particularly in the non-Western world. Examination of the material and ideological conditions
which have led to preservation or destruction of the environment through a comparative case-study
approach.
SOC 320 Environmental Sociology
A survey of environmental sociology including theories of human-environment interaction, a history of
various environmental movements and other developments with significant ecological implications,
cross cultural comparisons of human-environment relations, and questions of justice with relation to
who decides about resource use and who suffers the effects of environmental degradation.
SUST 300 Sustainability and Regeneration
An interdisciplinary course that integrates the theory and practice of sustainable living. It will examine
the interaction between human social systems and natural ecological systems in buildings,
transportation, food, land use, and energy generation at a global scale, a national scale, and a personal
scale within the learning community at Rieth Village. Students will examine the conflicts and issues that
have resulted from personal and societal choices and seek regenerative responses to these
consequences.
SUST 309 Faith, Ethics and Eco-justice
This course examines the way the contemporary ecological crisis has challenged Christians to reread
their Bibles and rework their theology and ethics. Students will encounter key thinkers and ordinary
people faced with environmental problems and assess the ways they have applied Christian faith in a
variety of ecological, cultural and theological contexts. The course will emphasize peacemaking and ecojustice as essential to environmental problem solving.
SUST 313 Landscape Limnology
This course examines the physical, chemical and biological variables of freshwater lakes, streams and
wetlands, which influence living organisms in these aquatic ecosystems. Emphasis on how their
interactions contribute to the environmental, economic and social health of watersheds that make up
every landscape.
SUST 320 Environmental Policy and Politics
Explores the environmental policy-making process with specific attention to water and land
management policy in the Elkhart River watershed. Investigates the differences between, as well as the
overlap of, local, state and federal water policy. Analyzes how the intersection of socioeconomic forces
with scientific data shapes policy development and implementation. Includes a critical and normative
analysis of current policy with an assessment of the future role of students in creating and implementing
policy.
SUST 330 Environmental Problem Solving
Each student will complete a collaborative research project based on a complex environmental issue
from the local context and propose responses that promote sustainability. The project will include
relevant literature, data collection, analysis of data, and written and oral presentations of findings.
Students will demonstrate the intersection of landscape dynamics with faith, policy, and sustainability
concepts.
Total: 22
Courses that include Sustainability
BIOL 120 Cell Biology and Genetics
An introductory course that explores the cell as a complex and dynamic system shaped by its
environment and genetic legacy. Genes as units of natural selection, the relationship between gene
regulation and cell physiology, common functional pathways of the cell, and the ethics of manipulating
the cell for human applications will be emphasized. Both classical and modern genetic technologies will
be experienced in the laboratory.
BIOL 130 Organismal Biology
An introductory course that integrates study of plant and animal forms to provide a broader
understanding of the unity and diversity of life on earth. Students will gain insight into the basic
principles of structure and function evident in complex life that indicate a common evolutionary history.
This course will survey the physiological systems that govern life, with special emphasis on vascular
plants and vertebrate animals (including humans).
BIOL 201 Botany
An introduction to the fundamental principles of plant biology, including structure, function,
systematics, reproduction, and diversity.
BIOL 205 Pollinators in Peril
What is causing a rapid decline in global pollinator populations? The answer is of immediate concern
because many human crops are pollinated by bee, butterfly, bird, or bat species. Recent bee declines
will be used as a model to understand the multiple forces impacting all pollinators. Labs will involve
hands-on work with bee hives, in addition to field experiments.
BIOL 209 Field Experience
Practical experience in biology, typically in a relevant off-campus experience. Off-campus positions may
include various types of work (employed or volunteer) in university, hospital or other medical,
veterinary, agricultural and industrial facilities or nature centers and camps. Students are encouraged to
develop their own ideas.
BIOL 210 Biology of the Sea
An introductory course that immerses students in exploring the ecology of the Florida Keys ecosystem.
BIOL 304 Marine Biology
An intensive field-based class that explores the marine ecology of the Florida Keys. Includes a
comprehensive collaborative field research project.
BIOL 308 General Entomology
A general study of insect structure, development, classification and habits. Laboratory sessions
particularly directed at identification of insects and their economic roles.
BIOL 330 Biology Research Seminar
An exploration of opportunities in research at the undergraduate level, graduate level and for a career.
Includes an introduction of ongoing departmental research programs, discussion and demonstrations by
current student participants of their projects, examination of new discoveries reported in the current
literature and discussions of opportunities for student participation in our research program for
advanced biology credit.
BIOL 331 Junior Research Seminar
A weekly seminar focusing on scientific inquiry skills such as reviewing the literature, forming research
questions, designing experiments, analyzing data, and writing scientific papers. Students will gain
approval for a research project to be completed by the end of the senior year, in collaboration with a
faculty member.
BIOL 350 Ornithology
Natural history, taxonomy, and conservation of birds. Includes much work on visual and aural
identification of birds in the field.
BIOL 410 Biology Senior Seminar
A weekly seminar focused on completing the capstone senior research project. Topics will include data
analysis, research writing, communicating project results to the wider community, and the
interdisciplinary nature of biological science. Led by all department faculty members.
BUS 319 Leading Nonprofit Organizations
An exploration of how business principles apply to leading nonprofit organizations. Course provides
students with the concepts, techniques and illustrations needed for effective nonprofit organizational
management. Topics covered will include management and motivation of staff, trustees and volunteers,
marketing, financial management.
HIST 217 Geography and Culture
Survey of the world's geographic regions with emphasis on 1) the impact humans have had on the
physical environment and 2) origins of cultural variation in the world's regions. Includes regular
discussion of current issues in world affairs and mapping skills. Required for students majoring in
elementary education and secondary social studies
POSC 210 Introduction to Public Policy
Explores the nature of the policy-making process in the United States and, to a lesser extent, other
pluralist polities. Topics will include constitutional and structural framework in which policies are
shaped, interest articulation, policy formulation and the feedback process.
KIN 255 Camping and Recreation
Students will have hands-on experience in a wilderness setting. They will learn a variety of skills
including: trip planning, map and compass reading, environmental care and study, spiritual growth and
leadership skills. Other skills will be related specifically to either backpacking and/or canoeing.
PHYS 215 Climate Change
How can and should humans relate to nature? This question raises vigorous, passionate, and sometimes
political discussion. Using an interdisciplinary team-teaching approach, professors from biology, physics,
and chemistry will help students explore (a) how information is generated, refined, and debated in
scientific disciplines, and (b) how scientific information is consumed and applied by various components
of our society. Required for elementary education majors.
Total: 17