All education is environmental education.
—David Orr
Not surprisingly, a significant amount of sustainability education at SIUE occurs in and around the classroom in a variety of ways:
In 2009, as part of a SAG-sponsored sustainability audit, conducted by ENVS GA Ron Morlen, University faculty were asked to identify courses that concentrated on sustainability, including its social, economic, and environmental dimensions, as well as courses that included sustainability as a course component or module. Over 40 courses were identified in fields as diverse as Biology, Business, Anthropology, Engineering, Philosophy and Environmental Science.
Please report any additions or omissions to the Sustainability Officer.
Environmental Science
SIUE offers an undergraduate minor in Environmental Science and at the graduate level, offers a Masters in Science with six possible areas of emphasis: Environmental Biology; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Education; Environmental Policy and Public Administration; Environmental Technology and Assessment; Environmental Toxicology. The University also offers a Professional Science Master’s (PSM.)
Civil Engineering
To address the needs of the civil engineering profession, the SIUE Department of Civil Engineering has created two professional development sequences (PDS) for post-baccalaureate study. Both highlight aspects of sustainable development relevant to civil engineers. The PDS for Sustainable Infrastructure includes courses on sustainable engineering (CE 596), intelligent transportation systems (CE 578), and municipal infrastructure (CE 460). The PDS for Sustainable Planning includes courses on sustainable engineering (CE 596), solid waste management (CE 588), and transportation planning (CE 475).
The Sustainability LibGuide is a resource from the Lovejoy Library that provides a central point for locating resources to help you to learn about sustainability. This guide can be used to help you find eresources, databases, multimedia, research tips, faculty resources, and more.
Students Improving Society (SIS) is one of SIUE's First Year Focused Interest Communities (FICs.) Introduced in 2008 by University Housing, the program provides students a more cohesive community, organized around exploring aspects of an ecologically responsible lifestyle and engaging in group initiatives to promote sustainability.
Located in Woodland Hall, SIS is open to first-year students of any major. Residents learn valuable lessons in sustainability through everyday activities and shared experiences. Students also enroll in one of two classes:
All Faculty Meeting (April 22, 2009). SAG and the VCA sponsored this luncheon on the subject of sustainability. A PowerPoint presentation was made highlighting SIUE’s efforts in sustainability and faculty brainstormed in discussion breakout sessions.
In Fall 2009, three workshops (sponsored by SAG) were held on “Creating a Culture of Sustainability: Integrating Sustainability with Courses and Curricula.” Dr. Jennifer Rehg (Anthropology), Dr. Jessica DeSpain (English), Dr. Connie Frey (Sociology & Criminal Justice), Dr. Yvonne Mitkos (Instructional Services), Kathleen Gardner (Associate Director of Student Life) and Kevin Adkins (Sustainability Officer), coordinated these workshops and facilitated the discussions. Approximately 25 faculty members and administrators attended at least one of these workshops, including CAS Dean Al Romero.
In order to contribute to the understanding among scholars across disciplinary lines, the College of Arts and Sciences at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville launched a new initiative: Interdisciplinary Roundtables. One of these roundtables approved in Fall 2009 is “SIUE – Nature Preserves Partnerships.” The roundtable members are: Jennifer Rehg - Coordinator (Anthropology);Elaine M. Abusharbain (biologival Sciences); Peter Minchin (Biological Sciences); Rick Essner (Biological Sciences); Kurt Schulz (Biological Sciences); Elizabeth Walton (Geography and Environmental Sciences); Chris Pearson (Philosophy); Connie Frey (Sociology & Criminal Justice Studies); Laura Perkins (Speech Communication).
The roundtable is exploring the potential for the university and local nature preserves to collaborate in research, teaching, and community outreach. Its goals are to highlight the many research and education opportunities for SIUE faculty and students that already exist in natural areas on campus and at local preserves, and to identify ways to enhance and expand these opportunities.
