SUSTAIN 2GS3 - GLOBAL QUESTIONS IN SUSTAINABILITY
2024 WINTER TERM
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
|
Lecture |
Topic |
Required Readings |
|
1 |
Course Overview & Introduction Lecturer: Dr. Kate Whalen |
NA |
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2 |
Peatlands and Fire Lecturer: Dr. Sophie Wilkinson |
Posted on Avenue if applicable |
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3 |
Climate Research and Local Experiences Lecturer: Dr. Karine Gagné |
Posted on Avenue if applicable |
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4 |
An Industry Perspective Lecturer: Heather Stuart |
Posted on Avenue if applicable |
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5 |
Exploring Sustainability in Perú Lecturer: Dr. Rodrigo Narro Perez |
Posted on Avenue if applicable |
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6 |
Sustainable Development in a Circular Economy Lecturer: Dr. Greg Zilberbrant |
Posted on Avenue if applicable |
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7 |
Environmental History Lecturer: Dr. Michael Eagan |
Posted on Avenue if applicable |
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8 |
Indigenous Knowledge and Climate Change Lecturer: Jeff Monague |
Posted on Avenue if applicable |
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9 |
Climate Change, Data, and the Sustainability of Science Lecturer: Dr. Jason Brodeur |
Posted on Avenue if applicable |
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10 |
Mental Health and Climate Change Lecturer: Gustavo S. Betini |
Posted on Avenue if applicable |
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11 |
Climate Storytelling Lecturer: Dr. Catherine Bush |
Posted on Avenue if applicable |
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12 |
Sustainable Engineering Lecturer: Dr. Zobia Jawed |
Posted on Avenue if applicable |
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13 |
Geological Perspective of Climate Change Lecturer: Dr. EmmanuelleArnaude |
Posted on Avenue if applicable |
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14 |
Wrap Up – Interdisciplinary Experiences Lecturer: Dr. Becca Collins-Nelsen |
Posted on Avenue if applicable |
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Evaluation
4) Mind Map Assignment 34% |
Throughout Term January 26th Throughout Term March 26th |
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Participation - 49%
Students are expected to engage with the weekly asynchronous lectures, as well as complete the required readings. Participation is worth 49%, and students will be evaluated using the Discussion Board Forum on Avenue to Learn. Students will be required to respond to 12 prompts following detailed instructions on Avenue. Students are only required to make 12 primary posts on the discussion board as well as 12 replies. Each module will pose a question with parameters; For example, a certain post may be 400 words or less, with responses around 250 words (word counts are not strict) while another requires a longer post of around 700 words. Please be sure to check the guidelines on Avenue for each post. Students are expected to discuss the weekly material within their responses as well as demonstrate personal reflection, integrating real-world examples and experiences when applicable.
Details are to be posted on Avenue on January 8th.
Quizzes - 16%
The course will have four quizzess throughout the term. Each quiz will primarily consist of multiple-choice, but may also include short answers, and long answer. This will be accessed through Avenue to Learn. There is no set time for the quizzes as they maybe opened anytime over a 7-day period. The quizzes will cover a specific series of lectures (this will be clear on Avenue).
Mind Map Assignment - 34%
Students will create a mind map, a visual representation of the interconnectedness of several concepts, to develop solutions to solving a local sustainability issue of their choice. Students will apply course knowledge by making connections and combining different disciplinary perspectives to a real-world scenario, which will be the central theme of their map. The mind map should encompass concepts from as many modules as possible and display how concepts from different disciplines are interrelated and should be considered when solving complex sustainability issues.
MSAF Course Specific Information
To support universal design and minimize the need for the use of an MSAF, a 7-day grace period is included for each assignment (not the quizzes). Seven days following the original due date, late marks will be applied where they will be penalized 20% for each 24-hours late, including Saturdays and Sundays. Assignments will be accepted for a maximum of five days following the end of the grace period, after which the assignment will receive a grade of zero.
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.