University of Alberta
ER-5: Sustainability Course Identification

Sustainability in the curriculum was defined by the Office of Sustainability Academic Advisory Committee* as course content and pedagogies which support the working definition for sustainability at the University of Alberta which was also developed by the Office of Sustainability Academic Advisory Committee.

Definition: Sustainability is the process of living within the limits of available physical, natural and social resources in ways that allow the living systems in which humans are embedded to thrive in perpetuity.

The University of Alberta is committed to a continuous effort to instill sustainability into the many aspects of university life, on our campuses, in our institutions, and in the larger community of which we are part. The university takes an integrated approach to sustainability that incorporates teaching, research, operations and the outreach services needed to support them.

*The Office of Sustainability Academic Advisory Committee is comprised of two members of the Office of Sustainability (ex-officio), nine faculty members representing nine departments across the university, two graduate student representatives, two undergraduate representatives, one dean, and one provost-designate.

The Office of Sustainability Academic Advisory Committee developed a list of criteria to identify sustainability-focused and sustainability-related courses.

Sustainability-focused courses need to meet at least three of the following: discusses concepts and values of sustainability in course description and goals; at least one major assignment focused on sustainability; engagement with a range of written, visual, audio, natural resources for sustainability; and integrates economic, social and environmental aspects into either multi-disciplinary contexts or subject specific contexts.

Sustainability-related courses need to meet at least two of the following: sustainability themes addressed in parts of the course outline but not a major focus; only one of economic, social, or environmental aspects addressed; and single sustainability concept or value considered.

Instructors across the university were invited to consider the criteria and self-nominate their courses as either sustainability-related or sustainability-focused. They were asked to provide a statement regarding why their course fit the chosen category using the criteria given. Alternatively, they could submit a copy of the course outline.

In addition, individuals collected information from students, professors, and the course calendar regarding other courses that may meet the criteria. The instructors for these courses and/or the department which operates the course were then contacted to provide a course outline of the course. These outlines were reviewed and categorized as appropriate. Courses were only included within the database if one of the following was met: 1) course instructor self-identified course as sustainability-related or sustainability-focused, and/or 2) copy of course outline was received and reviewed.