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Proposing a Path for Sustainability Curricula: Identifying Core Thinking and Learning Elements for Sustainability Higher Education Timothy F James Madison University JMU Scholarly Commons Masters Theses The Graduate School Fall 2011 Proposing a path for sustainability curricula: Identifying core thinking and learning elements for sustainability higher education Timothy F. Botkin James Madison University Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/master201019 Part of the Sustainability Commons Recommended Citation Botkin, Timothy F., "Proposing a path for sustainability curricula: Identifying core thinking and learning elements for sustainability higher education" (2011). Masters Theses. 157. https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/master201019/157 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the The Graduate School at JMU Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of JMU Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Proposing a Path for Sustainability Curricula: Identifying Core Thinking and Learning Elements for Sustainability Higher Education Timothy F. Botkin A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY/UNIVERSITY OF MALTA In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Master of Science - Department of Integrated Science and Technology/Institute of Earth Systems November, 2011 Copyright Notice Copyright in text of this dissertation rests with the Author. Copies (by any process) either in full or of extracts may be made only in accordance with regulations held by the Libraries of the University of Malta and James Madison University. Details may be obtained from the Librarian. This page must form part of any such copies made. Further copies (by any process) made in accordance with such instructions may only be made with permission (in writing) of the Author. Ownership of the right over any original intellectual property which may be contained in or derived from this dissertation is vested in the University of Malta and James Madison University and may not be made available for use by third parties without the written permission of the Universities, which will prescribe the terms and conditions of any such agreement. ii Acknowledgements It was my good fortune to attend a graduate program guided by scholars of the highest purpose and intellect one could hope for in pursuing a deeper knowledge of sustainability. Jon Miles, Bob Koolvord and Maria Papadakis of James Madison University and Louis Cassar and Alfred Vella of the University of Malta provided the wisdom and diligence to create the SERM program and were consistent mentors and friends during my participation. Along with my fellow classmates, especially John and Glenn, these cohorts made the year in Malta and subsequent research on this topic an invaluable experience. Even more so, Liz Conrad served as my supervisor and was constantly thoughtful, appropriately critical, and most importantly always there when needed to help get through sometimes vexing circumstances. Liz is an incredible combination of compassion, intellect, professionalism and energy and I was extremely lucky to have her support. It all begins at home with Barb, my rock and velvet hand. Support, encouragement, motivation; even in times of significant inconvenience I felt these coming from my closest friend and companion. I am a lucky dude. iii Table of Contents Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................................. ii Abstract ................................................................................................................................................................... vii Preface ......................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. I. Background: History and Status of Sustainability Education ..................................................... 5 II. Problem Statement and Project Goal ................................................................................................. 10 III. Methodology ........................................................................................................................................... 13 A. Preliminary Research .......................................................................................................................... 13 B. Synthesis of Core Elements ............................................................................................................... 14 C. Survey Development............................................................................................................................ 15 D. Existing Program Research ............................................................................................................... 17 E. Survey Submittal ................................................................................................................................... 18 F. Survey Results ........................................................................................................................................ 19 G. Detailed Element Research ............................................................................................................... 19 H. Analysis, Synthesis and Conclusions ............................................................................................. 19 IV. Core Element Research ....................................................................................................................... 21 A. Individual Elements ............................................................................................................................. 21 1. Systems Thinking ............................................................................................................................. 22 2. Natural Systems ................................................................................................................................ 27 3. Exponential Change ......................................................................................................................... 34 4. Inter/Transdisciplinarity .............................................................................................................. 39 5. Full Costs/Impacts ........................................................................................................................... 47 6. Equitable Perspective ..................................................................................................................... 50 7. Adaptive Capacity ............................................................................................................................. 54 8. Policymaking ...................................................................................................................................... 59 9. Role of Expertise and Technology .............................................................................................. 63 10. Uncertainty ..................................................................................................................................... 66 11. Resource Efficiency ..................................................................................................................... 68 12. Globalism ......................................................................................................................................... 72 iv 13. Pricing ............................................................................................................................................... 74 14. Personal Responsibility ............................................................................................................. 79 15. Conflict Management .................................................................................................................. 80 B. Elements Analysis Summary ............................................................................................................ 86 V. Survey of Existing Programs ................................................................................................................. 87 A. Survey Background .............................................................................................................................. 87 B. Programs Surveyed .............................................................................................................................. 88 C. Survey Data Analysis ........................................................................................................................... 88 VI. Comprehensive Analysis/Synthesis of Survey Results and Research .............................. 94 A. Combined Research and Survey Insights .................................................................................... 94 1. Overview .............................................................................................................................................. 94 2. Element Overlaps ............................................................................................................................. 96 3. Element Hierarchy ........................................................................................................................... 97 B. Distinguishing Sustainability Education .................................................................................... 104 C. The Nature of Interdisciplinarity .................................................................................................
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