Curriculum

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The proposed sequence of courses below spans two years, leading to a proposed Master of Arts in Sustainability Studies. The definition of the courses, as yet without course descriptions or syllabi, provide a framework for the development of the curriculum of the proposed program.

Course Sequence

The initial but preliminary two-year course sequence is displayed below:

Semester Title Objective Staffing Remarks
Fall
Year 1		 Foundations: Natural Resources and the Built Environment Introduction to natural and physical artifactual context of sustainability Modular: lead: Wiener or Rainforth
4 rotating co-teachers		 Need course description, goals, etc.
Fall
Year 1		 Foundations: Organization and Social Processes Introduction to the social, economic, organizational, and political aspects of sustainability Modular: lead: Edelstein or Hayes
4 rotating co-teachers		 Need course description, goals, etc.
Spring
Year 1		 Methods and Practices of Sustainability Definition and explanation of the prevailing state of the art in the methods and practices of sustainability Modular: lead: Abzug or Edelstein Needs development and faculty commitments. Modular format lends itself to diversity of experts here. Identify specific student projects and proposals here.
Spring
Year 1		 Sustainability Expert Practitioner Lecture Series Invitations to acknowledged leaders and central figures in field of sustainability Director takes lead; maybe 3 major guests, 3 or 4 contributors Guests bi-weekly with preparation and debrief alternative week. Students prepare for summer experience. Guests open to all.
Summer Sustainability Experiential Practice Study Abroad or Internship or guided research Director takes lead, delegates as appropriate Central feature of MASS, but flexible to suit students' needs. May initiate student project.
Fall
Year 2		 Sustainability Capstone Seminar Seminar, a double-course, focuses on revolving themes is sustainability Convening group defines during prior spring. Director delegates and coordinates Central feature but requires vigilant preparation and assessment. Precedes student project presentation.
Spring
Year 2		 Guided Independent Study Finalize project, support for capstone presentation Faculty adviser Builds on established relationship and aimed at quality assurance and feedback.
Spring
Year 2		 Sustainability Project Seminar Students present preliminary, then final projects in seminar format. Revolving participation, depends on sponsorship of projects Critical to finalize capstone project, a hallmark of MASS. Final presentations are MASS community events. Exit interviews are conducted and outcomes assessed here.

Curricular Hallmarks

Implicit in the grid above, but defined below, are hallmarks of the Master of Arts in Sustainability Studies:

  1. The modular teaching format involves two components:
    1. A main instructor for the course to provide coordination, integration, continuity, and consistent assessment;
    2. A group of four contributing faculty who assist with the delivery of modules. Compensation is prorated accordingly, making this essentially a team-taught course.
  2. The summer experience must be flexible to adjust to students' needs and situations. The Study Abroad experience is promoted but cannot be assumed as appropriate or practicable for all students. For foreign students, the Study Abroad option may involve return to the home nation for an Internship in sustainability.
  3. The shift from the explanation of sustainability to its practice, initiated in the summer, becomes embedded in year two of the program, culminating in the delivery of a project in the spring of year 2.
  4. The continuing assessment of the outcomes of MASS concentrates on the quality of the capstone projects, providing a legacy by which to assess strengths and weaknesses and to identify and bolster gaps in program delivery.
  5. The emphasis on outside expertise requires the attention of the director, but serves in the construction of a sustainability community focused around MASS -- emphasizing and reinforcing the network society inherent in sustainability.
Ramapo College, Master of Arts in Sustainability Studies | Version 1.1
Initialized: 2/24/2008 | Last Update: 2/28/2008