Through its Green Curriculum Project, the college encourages the integration of sustainability issues and environmental concepts into existing courses. Faculty participants work with a Green Curriculum Project team to incorporate discipline-related sustainability and environmental topics through a specially designed component, assignment, or learning activity. To date 30 faculty participants, representing 16+ different academic departments, have participated.
Environmental Studies (EVT), Transfer, Degree (AA), An Option of Liberal Arts
The Environmental Studies Program is an interdisciplinary transfer program that helps students understand the underlying causes of environmental problems and fosters an active search for solutions. These environmental problems are complex. Therefore, the program provides a broad range of liberal arts experiences in two tracks -- Environmental Awareness and Environmental Science -- leading to lifelong awareness of sustainability issues that connect the environment, the economy, and society. Students may select courses from either track or may take courses that combine both. Students will be prepared to continue their studies as they pursue further degrees at four-year colleges. Career opportunities for graduates include environmental science, natural resources, and advocacy.
For more information, contact Nancy Alberto at (978) 762-4000 or nalberto@northshore.edu.
CMP 101 Composition 1
Students will read literary works on environmental issues and conflicts, choose a topic related to sustainability for the required research paper, and view the documentary film "The 11th Hour," which dramatically introduces the topics of climate change and sustainability.
CMP 148 Composition 2: Literature And The Environment
Emphasis is on experiential and analytical writing based on American literary works of all genres that focus on the relationships between humans and the natural world. Some major authors whose works will be studied are Edward Abbey, Henry David Thoreau, John Muir, Rachel Carson, Aldo Leopold, Barry Lopez, Annie Dillard, Gary Snyder, Terry Tempest Williams, and Mary Oliver. The major green assignment for the course will be a Place Paper assignment, which will help students achieve ecological literacy by observing and researching a natural area in their home environment over the course of the semester.
CPS 210 Computer Systems Development
When a potential systems development project is evaluated, one of the most important criteria to management is the payback period. In this Green Curriculum course, students will learn how to estimate the payback period for a green project. Many energy conservation projects are also excellent money-saving projects.
ECO 103 Principles of Macroeconomics
This course implements sustainability and environmental issues to promote awareness in daily life. Students are required to do research projects, using three steps: Step 1.) Answer the question WHY we need to think about green economics and sustainability; Step 2.) Choose one environmental issue from the following: air pollution, saving electricity, saving paper, saving gas or coal—alternative energy sources and conduct original research to answer why we need to think about sustainability using cost benefit analysis related to there chosen issue; Step 3.) Suggest applications/solutions in their own lives to achieve sustainability.
EGS 206 Materials Science
This course will implement sustainability and environmental issues to promote the awareness and gain the technical knowledge that an environmentally responsible engineer should possess. In the research projects, students will learn about environmental issues such as pollution, natural re-sources, conservation, green economy, clean design, consumption, waste management, and the green politics of their choices of research products.
ESL 114 Advanced ESL Writing 1
Because this course is part of the Green Curriculum Project, paragraph and essay assignment will have a "green" theme. Students will write a paragraph defining global warming and two formal essays, "How to Make Your Home Greener" and "The Effects of Global Warming."
FSN 104 Technology of Food Processing
This course covers modern and ancient methods of food preservation, food additives and sustainable agriculture and students spend an average of 15 hours per semester doing service learning projects with The Food Project, a non-profit organization which connects people to each other, the land and the food we eat.
GEO 108 Environmental Science
In Geo 108 students will view episodes from the PBS series "Journey to Planet Earth" which depict four themes: water issues, the threat of food shortages, human population growth, and global warming. Students will also view some of the DVD series "The Habitable Planet: A Systems Approach to Environmental Science" which depicts current research on greenhouse gases, climate change, diversity of rainforests and water conservation measures. News events will be discussed throughout the semester in terms of sustainability: what is the issue, how does it affect the future, what can be done to manage it more sustainably? The course will emphasize connections and stress that people everywhere need: clean water, fertile soil (food), and a means of economic support (self support) and that social injustice can result from over consumption.
GRA 102 Graphic Production
"Green" and sustainability best practices are widely used in the graphics and printing industries. These include recycling, recycled papers, environmental management organizations, smart preparatory, production and printing practices. Graphic designers must embrace these processes and materials to be more "green." Graphic Production trends, practices, and specifications for a sustainable, eco-friendly process are introduced and monitored in this course.
HIS 131 History of World Civilization 1
In our study of global history we will highlight the relationship between people and the natural world. This interaction of history/culture and nature helps to determine who we are and what we might become. We will examine how different cultures/societies view humanity's relationship with the natural world and the significance of these views for our present and possible/probable future. This context of changing notions about the place of humanity in nature enables us to understand the eco-history of recent times. What are we going to do with our world? What kinds of lives do we wish to lead? How might we live on Earth in a responsible way?
HIS132 History of World Civilization 2
In our study of global history we will highlight the relationship between people and the natural world. This interaction of history/culture and nature helps to determine who we are and what we might become. We will examine how different cultures/societies view humanity's relationship with the natural world and the significance of these views for our present and possible/probable future. This context of changing notions about the place of humanity in nature enables us to understand the eco-history of recent times. What are we going to do with our world? What kinds of lives do we wish to lead? How might we live on Earth in a responsible way?
IDS 106 Understanding Nutrition
Sustainability and environmental topics will be interspersed throughout class discussions, graded assignments, and homework exercises. Students will complete a dietary analysis and then trace a selected meal to its source –taking into account fuel costs in production. Student presentations will cover a variety of nutrition topics in the Controversy sections of the textbook and identify how they are tied to a sustainable environment. During the semester students will discuss aspects of basic nutrition and examine how everyday life choices can support personal and environmental health. The class will also cover topics such as Hunger and the Global Environment and Food Safety and Technology.
IDS 112 Artistic Vision OL
In this Green Curriculum section of Artistic Vision Online: An Introduction to Art, Music, and Literature, students will examine works of art that encourage a heightened awareness of nature, address problems of sustainability, or in some way invite students to consider the importance of protecting the environment and how this might be achieved. Students will discuss the way in which these artistic works convey these ideas in reading response replies to topics for each chapter, online discussion, and, if they wish, as a topic of their research paper.
IDS 122 Music and Healing
In the Green Curriculum section of Music and Healing, students will explore how sound and music works as a complementary healing method that can support the health of the environment as well as the therapeutic sound experiences nature can offer to people. The class will address the issues of sound pollution and review a variety of cultures and researchers whose music and sound healing methods focus in the directions indicated above. Students will watch and read related films and articles as well as complete 4 personal sound projects. The students will participate in an end-of-semester project, taking part in small group discussions and writing a reflective piece that focuses on integrating their acquired knowledge and awareness. They will be asked to identify ways they can apply this information to caring for themselves and their environment.
IDS166 Introduction to Sustainable Living
This course provides an introduction to the concept and principles of sustainability. The course will examine major environmental issues and will challenge students to see themselves as part of a web of interactions connecting the environment, economy, and society. While offering both scientific and humanities perspectives on environmental problems, the course will stress personal and collective action as pathways to solutions for sustainable living.
IDS 168 Exploring the Landscape of Sustainability
This course examines a range of sustainability issues that affects us all. Students will be encouraged to think about how their various choices in life and careers can and do affect their local communities, the environment and future generations. Topics include calculating and reducing carbon footprints, green building design, green roof and wall technologies, water conservation, community gardens, composting and low impact sustainable landscapes. Students will also complete a service learning project.
LIT 210 American Literature 1: Colonial Period to the Civil War
This section of American Literature 1 will highlight the theme of "Americans and the Land" as it threads its way through the literary works of the course. In addition, students will read supporting essays and primary documents that will provide a context for the literature and broaden their basic understanding of environmenttal history in the United States. Subjects will include the changing American landscape, Native American vs. Euro-American values, early American disease epidemics, industrial development, conservation, the rise of the environmental movement, and the call for sustainability.
LIT 212 American Literature 2: Civil War to Modern Age
This section of American Literature 1 will highlight the theme of "Americans and the Land" as it threads its way through the literary works of the course. In addition, students will read supporting essays and primary documents that will provide a context for the literature and broaden their basic understanding of environmental history in the United States. Subjects will include the changing American landscape, Native American vs. Euro-American values, early American disease epidemics, industrial development, conservation, the rise of the environmental movement, and the call for sustainability.
LIT 214 Literature of the American Peoples 1: American Indian Literature
In Native American literatures, the natural world and all aspects of the human-nature relationship are central subjects. Through the assigned literary works and selected background readings, the course will examine traditional and contemporary Native American views, responses, and issues related to the environment, while emphasizing the sustainability methods and models of various tribal groups.
SOC 106 Introduction to Sociology
Sociology provides an excellent lens through which to view and understand the concepts of sustainability. Development of "the sociological imagination", understanding the relationship between social, economic and political institution lends itself very well to activities related to sustainability education. Options for introduction to sociology include: Films, field trips, research projects, class discussions, readings, the "create a society" projects and service learning opportunities such as the Essex Conservation District, town agriculture commissions, conservation commissions, National Resource Conservation Services (USDA), the Essex National Heritage Commission, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, the Massachusetts Farm Winery and Growers Association, and the Essex Agricultural Society.
SOC 126 Race, Gender, and Class
This course will highlight the sustainability issues of environmental discrimination, racism, and justice. It will look closely at the "The Politics of Food," using an interview Bill Moyers conducted with author/critic Michael Pollin.
SPE 102 Speech
The Green component of SPE 102 both adds to and integrates with the current objectives for the course. Students will learn the same speech skills but they will apply them in an environment sensitive to issues of sustainability. Readings, media, and class discussion will be used to provide a common base of understanding in regard to environmental awareness.
PHI126 Environmental Ethics
A philosophical approach to environmentalism examining the ethical presuppositions that underlie our conception of value, the diverse worldviews offered by environmentalists, and the potential responses to ecological degradation. Topics include animal liberation, deep ecology, ecofeminism and environmental activism, among others. Fulfills open, liberal arts, humanities, and green electives.
HIS140 American Environmental History
American Environmental History examines through time the changing relationship between human beings and the natural world of North America. Emphasis will be placed on how Americans acted to shape their environment, how they perceived that environment, and how these interact with each other to determine who we are and shape what we might become. Fulfills history, liberal arts, and open electives.
HIS 131 History of World Civilizations 1
In this Green Curriculum section of the History of World Civilizations 1, students will examine history through the lens of ecology, defined as the interaction between humans and their environment. By examining how humans have interacted with their environments in the past, and how their environments have shaped the type of societies that inhabited the ancient world, students will begin to comprehend the evolutionary nature of ecology throughout history. Using the lens of ecology, students will not only gain a better understanding of the importance of ecology throughout history, but also students will begin to comprehend how the obstacles/solutions ecology posed to the ancient world can shed light on the obstacles/solutions of today's world.
HIS 132: History of World Civilizations 2
In this Green Curriculum section of the History of World Civilizations 2, students will examine the relationship between modernization and nature throughout modern history. By examining this relationship, students will analyze the challenges that modernization has posed to ecological diversity, sustainability, and, more importantly, the value ascribed to the environment by societies of modern history. This examination will lead students to a better understanding of the challenges modernization poses to today's society and the value that today's society places on environmental issues. Moreover, by examining the changing nature of the modernization/nature relationship, students will be able to examine their own personal relationship with the environment in light of those that promote a more sustainable future.
MAT143 Introduction to Statistics
There will be a project assigned to promote awareness of environmental issues. It will contribute 10% to your semester grade. You will have a choice of doing it own on your own or in a group. Project Ideas will include: Investigate how often NSCC student and faculty member recycle during a month. Does the likelihood differ between males and females? How much paper do NSCC students and faculty members consume every day? Is the paper consumption different between students and faculty? How much money does NSCC students and faculty spend on bottled water every month? Does the likelihood differ between males and females?
REL102 Great Religions of the World
The Green component of REL 102 both adds to and integrates with the current objectives for the course. Students will learn skills for the study of religion and apply them in an environment sensitive to issues of sustainability. Readings, media, and class discussion will be used to provide a common base of understanding in regards to environmental awareness.
CMP 101 Composition 1
In this Green Curriculum section of Composition 1, students will examine literature and writing through the lens of ecology, as seen in writings over the years. As we look at what people wrote about, reflections of the environment and social issues involving sustainability, we will discuss those same issues and how they relate to today's view of environmental issues. We will discuss issues and obstacles through literature and how they are seen in today's society.
North Shore Community College