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THE HEADWATERS
PROJECT
INCORPORATING SUSTAINABILITY
INTO THE CURRICULUM AT A SMALL UNIVERSITY
Chuck McClaugherty and Steve Kramer
HEADWATERS•Geographically we are near the headwaters of three rivers and are on a major divide.
•Metaphorically college serves as one of the headwaters for the lives that our students will live.
BACKGROUND•Mount Union is a predominantly undergraduate , residential institution with 2200 students located in NE Ohio
•Signed the ACUPCC commitment
•Have a board-approved sustainability plan
•Participated in STARS pilot
•Working on curricular revision
VISION•Sustainability will be embedded in our educational and operational culture
•All students will graduate with an understanding of sustainability
•Our campus will be climate neutral by 2046
AASHE Training•Sustainability across the curriculum workshop: Emory University, January 7-8, 2010 with Peggy Barlett and Geoff Chase
•Model – active, readings, discussion, outdoor activities, guest experts
•Rule #1 - Faculty decide. They are the experts in their discipline
Awareness and Recruitment
•“Teaching Matters” Presentation on Campus – one hour
•Introduce the concept of sustainability across the curriculum
•Simple application process
•Support from administration and alumnus
•$500 stipend in 2 payments
Eleven ParticipantsPhilosophy-AestheticsEducation - Educational Media and - New course on sustainability in schoolsEnglish-College Writing (two faculty) - ShakespeareSociology - Introductory course
- Contemporary Social IssuesReligion - Religion and EcologyEconomics - Development EconomicsHealth - Introduction
The Workshop•One day•Pre assigned readings •Discuss sustainability definitions•Two legged exercise (Barlett and Chase)•Ways to infuse sustainability•Resource person - Social issues•Midday hike in watershed – a sense of place•Resource person – Water•Develop and share•Assess
Assessment•Workshop – •Clarified ideas on integration of sustainability•Shared resources•Got excited•Connection with other interested faculty•Too short•Time for only one resource person•More time for interaction and discussion
•Assessment of curricular changes will occur in May 2011 after classes taught
