Course Description

All questions surrounding sustainability and sustainable development are interdisciplinary in nature. This course aims to bring together perspectives from all academic areas to explore sustainability as a global concern by gathering insight from academic experts. Students will apply this knowledge to their thoughts and perceptions of what sustainability is and ultimately should be. Through a series of asynchronous lectures, students will have a unique opportunity to hear the perspectives on multiple questions of sustainability from academic experts across academia. In following the mantra of ‘Think globally, act locally’ students will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired in the course towards assessing and proposing solutions to local questions of sustainability.

Prerequisite(s):  None.

Antirequisite(s):  INSPIRE 2GS3/SUSTAIN 2GS3. Not open to students with creditor registration in INSPIRE 3EL3 if the topic was Global Questions in Sustainability.

Course and Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1.   Identify and critically reflect on current global sustainability concerns, as discussed in the course.

2.   Examine the perspectives of academic experts on questions of sustainability.

3.   Apply course knowledge to propose solutions to local questions of sustainability.

4.   Develop a proposed plan for a real-world, local sustainability issue by integrating strategies discussed in the course.

5.   Reflect on different meanings of sustainability from diverse academic disciplines.

Class Activities

The course will consist of asynchronous teaching methods, and students are encouraged to complete the required content week by week. All asynchronous lectures and materials will be available to students on Avenue to Learn. More information about assignments will be available on Avenue to Learn.

Materials & Fees

There are no resources for you to purchase. All course material is available online. You may need to login to the McMaster Library Off-campus Access (https://library.mcmaster.ca/services/off-campus-access) to access some material.

Virtual Course Delivery

To follow and participate in virtual classes it is expected that you have reliable access to the following:

•    A computer that meets performance requirements can befound here.

•    An internet connection that is fast enough to stream videos.

•    Computer accessories that enable class participation, such as a microphone, speakers, and webcam when needed.

If you think that you will not be able to meet these requirements, please contactuts@mcmaster.caas soon as you can. Please visit theTechnology Resources for Students pagefor detailed requirements. If you use assistive technology or believe that our platforms might be a barrier to participating, please contactStudent Accessibility Services,sas@mcmaster.ca, for support.

Course Overview and Assessment

(Please note that the lectures are all discrete and could be viewed in any order except for the Wrap-Up lecture by Dr. Collins-Nelsen)

Topics

For the Participation and Mind Map Assignments, you will all be given a 7-day grace period. While the assignments are typically due on Mondays at 4pm, you can avoid any late penalties if it is handed in before the following Monday at 4pm. This is longer than the grace period awarded by a MSAF.

As the quizzes are graded best 4 of 5, an MSAF is not necessary as universal accommodation is built into the grading.

Requests for Relief for Missed Academic Term Work

McMaster Student Absence Form (MSAF):  In the event of an absence for medical or other reasons, students should review and follow the Academic Regulation in the Undergraduate Calendar “Requests for Relief for Missed Academic Term Work” .

Courses with An On-Line Element

Avenue to Learn(A2L) is an online system that will be used in this class for communicating information   relating to the course (e.g. lecture notes, etc.). To login to A2L, use your MacID login and password. See the A2L homepage above for more instructions if you need them. It is the student’sresponsibility to check A2L regularly (i.e. AT LEAST twice a week) for updates.

Students should be aware that, when they access the electronic components of this course, private information such as first and last names, usernames for the McMaster e-mail accounts, and program affiliation may become apparent to all other students in the same course. The available information is dependent on the technology used. Continuation of this course will be deemed consent to this disclosure. If you have any questions or concerns about such disclosure, please discuss this with the course instructor. If you encounter any technical problems with this service, goto theAvenue to Learn helpwebsite for support. NOTE: It is not the responsibility of the teaching staff of SUSTAIN 2GS3 to assist students with A2L issues.