Purchase College - State University of New York
AC-2: Learning Outcomes

<p>The 17 Sustainable Development Goals were added to the College's 2021-2027 Strategic Plan and are listed under the Plan's Learning Outcomes.</p>
<p>On page 4 of the Strategic Plan (URL linked below), the College's learning outcomes include "Recognizing the interconnectedness and complexity of all facets of our world, we commit to sustaining an environment of openness and collaboration in which students develop: A commitment to the planet and to the welfare and equity of all of its peoples by respecting the sanctity of the environment and by using the United Nations&rsquo; 17 interconnected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework for understanding the larger impact of their actions and decisions, so they may actively engage in building a world that measurably promotes equity, inclusivity, and sustainability."</p>
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<p>https://www.purchase.edu/live/files/4029-purchase-college-strategic-plan-2021-2027</p>

<p>Both numbers are from the 2023 graduating class. Degree programs that were both sustainability focused and required a sustainability focused course were included to obtain the second figure.</p>

<p>Environmental Studies About the program: This is a sustainability-focused program. It reflects the interdisciplinary focus on the interactions among the sociopolitical, economic, and ecological systems where the natural world and human society overlap. This new approach offers challenges and opportunities for those motivated to help improve the health of our environment and the quality of human existence. Biology About the program: Attention is focusing on the origin and evolution of living organisms (even their possible existence on other planets), the molecular mechanics of heredity, the processes of disease and immunity, the ecological balance among life forms, the effect of synthetic chemicals on molecular functions of the cell, the biological basis of behavior, and the extraordinary technologies for the creation of useful new characteristics in microorganisms, plants, and animals. Biology students must take an ecology course. Sociology About the program: Do you want to create a better world? Are you fascinated by such topics as race, social class, gender, globalization, the environment, education, social work, or social change? These subjects and others that deal with social relationships, culture, and the nature of society comprise the discipline of sociology. As a broad and eclectic field of inquiry, sociology uses many different approaches, ranging from cultural and historical studies to survey research. The sociology major at Purchase College is designed to give students maximum exposure to the breadth of the field. A choice of four concentrations&mdash;Sociology (self-design); Local and Global Communities and Social Change; Social and Health Advocacy; and Education and Society&mdash;allows students to focus on a particular area of interest. The program also offers a minor in sociology. The sociology program is based on social action. It offers opportunities for a broad general education in the liberal arts as well as preparation for work in a range of fields and for further professional training in the discipline or in a variety of other areas. Graduates have earned advanced degrees in sociology, education, law, journalism, public administration, social work, hospital administration, and other disciplines. Liberal studies About the program: Liberal Studies is an interdisciplinary program featuring courses that converge around 21st century problems and their implications for a sustainable future. The curriculum is organized around critical contemporary sustainability topics such as: food, water, health, migration, transportation, and energy. Courses are team-taught by two or more faculty from across the social and natural sciences, humanities and the arts, with a focus on integrating local and global knowledge and skills. Using sustainability as one of the broad organizing principles around which curricular content is structured, students learn to identify intersections between local life and global forces, and to understand how contemporary problems are mediated by particular geographic, demographic and sociopolitical forces across local-global scales. This program heavily incorporates the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Gender studies About the program: Consisting of a variety of courses drawn from across the college, the program offers students the opportunity to study gender in a variety of historical periods and geographical areas using different academic, political, and feminist perspectives. The first learning outcome states: "identify and analyze the links among gender, sexuality, identity, power, and social justice" which includes environmental justice. Political science About the program: The political science program offers students the opportunity to engage in a variety of courses in American, comparative, and international politics. Students also study age-old political questions concerning equality, rights, and justice and learn how to conduct political science research. The political science program closely collaborates with other interdisciplinary programs at Purchase College, including Latin American, Caribbean, and LatinX studies, Global Black Studies, Environmental Studies, and Gender Studies. Because politics are intertwined with economic and social issues, many students choose to double-major in Sociology, History, or Journalism. Environmental Justice and Environmental Economics are offered and heavily encouraged for PoliSci majors.</p>