Undergraduate Courses
SUST 304 Theories and Methods in Sustainability
Current methods and theories of sustainability will be explored through a series of presentations, discussions, and short projects. This course capitalizes on holistic design processes and project planning with the goal of a closed system developments, while concentrating on the four pillars of sustainability (Ecology, Economy, Equality, Education).
SUST 308 Foundation of Sustainable Materials
Students will work in a highly interdisciplinary environment, researching and analyzing sustainable materials as they pertain to the different disciplines. Through a series of lectures and exemplary projects, students will gain an understanding of the implications of the use of materials and the effects of their supply chains on the environment. Transportation and local production will be key components in solving current issues in manufacturing standards. Prerequisite(s): DRAW 100.
SUST 384 Design for Sustainability
The concept of “green design” is introduced and integrated into design projects. Specific techniques, guidelines and examples are used to emphasize the practical aspects of green design. Valuable case studies are included. While considering the profitability of the product, students are required to design in a way that benefits the global environment. Prerequisite(s): SUST 304.
Current methods and theories of sustainability will be explored through a series of presentations, discussions, and short projects. This course capitalizes on holistic design processes and project planning with the goal of a closed system developments, while concentrating on the four pillars of sustainability (Ecology, Economy, Equality, Education).
SUST 308 Foundation of Sustainable Materials
Students will work in a highly interdisciplinary environment, researching and analyzing sustainable materials as they pertain to the different disciplines. Through a series of lectures and exemplary projects, students will gain an understanding of the implications of the use of materials and the effects of their supply chains on the environment. Transportation and local production will be key components in solving current issues in manufacturing standards. Prerequisite(s): DRAW 100.
SUST 384 Design for Sustainability
The concept of “green design” is introduced and integrated into design projects. Specific techniques, guidelines and examples are used to emphasize the practical aspects of green design. Valuable case studies are included. While considering the profitability of the product, students are required to design in a way that benefits the global environment. Prerequisite(s): SUST 304.
Graduate Courses
SUST 704 Applied Theories in Sustainability
Defining an epistemological framework for understanding the varied fields of expertise that inform the process of sustainable design is an essential first step in devising sustainable design strategies. Relevant specialties that are explored for their overarching synergy in this course include systems theory, social theory, ethics, critical inquiry, and creativity, as well as biomimicry, life cycle assessment and other sciences of the artificial.
SUST 708 Principles of Sustainable Materials
Through a series of lectures and exemplary projects students learn about re-usable and biodegradable materials and implications that have to be considered designing for a closed loop system. Students work in an interdisciplinary environment researching and analyzing sustainable materials as they pertain to the different disciplines. Evaluating the affect sustainable materials have on environment, economy and current standards of living applying material stewardship, the issue of transportation, as well as how to green the supply chain is a key component in the discussion of existing or to be developed sustainable materials.
SUST 713 Interdisciplinary Studio I
Students work in an interdisciplinary environment creating products, buildings, environments, and or services applying sustainable methodologies in everyday matters. The concept of sustainability is introduced and integrated into the design and development processes across the disciplines involved. Specific techniques, guidelines and examples are used to emphasize the aspects of eco design strategies that meet today’s needs without compromising future generation’s needs. Students must consider global environmental impacts throughout the entire development process, and make suggestions for improvement if current technologies won’t allow for a truly sustainable end product, building, environment or service yet.
SUST 720 Design Response in Crises
The relevance of design education will be deepened in addressing the needs of humanity in both man-made and natural crises and catastrophes. Through a series of readings, case studies, field trips, presentations, and round-table discussions, students gain an understanding of the role of designers as community as well as global citizens. Innovative, immediate, and sustainable design solutions will enlarge students’ problem-solving skills. Prerequisite(s): ANTH 701, SUST 704.
SUST 725 Design Leadership and Environmental Justice
Designers can no longer consider the viability of materials solely as they relate to market performance, but must factor into the decision-making process issues that relate directly to the extraction and production of those materials, and the negative impacts that these processes may have on local populations. Effective design leadership is capable of framing these issues in ways that catalyze positive change and inspire innovative problem solving and multi-stakeholder collaboration. This course will explore how design decisions cannot only empower economically disadvantaged populations to alleviate the adverse environmental conditions they may be faced with, but to prevent such conditions from occurring in the first place. Students will be confronted with the chronic social, economic and environmental ills, and challenged to find innovative design solutions that serve these populations. Prerequisite(s): ANTH 701, SUST 704.
SUST 748 Design for Sustainability M.A. Final Project
In this final studio, M.A. students apply all previously acquired skills to develop a truly sustainable product, building, environment, or service concept that addresses all aspects of the development process. Students will integrate a closed loop system and demonstrate the understanding of the interdependence of the four E’s (Ecology, Economy, Equality and Education). With the collaboration of the supervising professor, students must demonstrate command of project planning, development and realization for the topic of their choice. Prerequisite(s): SUST 713.
SUST 779F Graduate Field Internship
Students in this course undertake a field assignment under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite(s): 15 graduate credit hours, good academic standing.
SUST 779T Graduate Teaching Internship
Students in this course undertake a teaching assignment under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite(s): 15 graduate credit hours, good academic standing.
Defining an epistemological framework for understanding the varied fields of expertise that inform the process of sustainable design is an essential first step in devising sustainable design strategies. Relevant specialties that are explored for their overarching synergy in this course include systems theory, social theory, ethics, critical inquiry, and creativity, as well as biomimicry, life cycle assessment and other sciences of the artificial.
SUST 708 Principles of Sustainable Materials
Through a series of lectures and exemplary projects students learn about re-usable and biodegradable materials and implications that have to be considered designing for a closed loop system. Students work in an interdisciplinary environment researching and analyzing sustainable materials as they pertain to the different disciplines. Evaluating the affect sustainable materials have on environment, economy and current standards of living applying material stewardship, the issue of transportation, as well as how to green the supply chain is a key component in the discussion of existing or to be developed sustainable materials.
SUST 713 Interdisciplinary Studio I
Students work in an interdisciplinary environment creating products, buildings, environments, and or services applying sustainable methodologies in everyday matters. The concept of sustainability is introduced and integrated into the design and development processes across the disciplines involved. Specific techniques, guidelines and examples are used to emphasize the aspects of eco design strategies that meet today’s needs without compromising future generation’s needs. Students must consider global environmental impacts throughout the entire development process, and make suggestions for improvement if current technologies won’t allow for a truly sustainable end product, building, environment or service yet.
SUST 720 Design Response in Crises
The relevance of design education will be deepened in addressing the needs of humanity in both man-made and natural crises and catastrophes. Through a series of readings, case studies, field trips, presentations, and round-table discussions, students gain an understanding of the role of designers as community as well as global citizens. Innovative, immediate, and sustainable design solutions will enlarge students’ problem-solving skills. Prerequisite(s): ANTH 701, SUST 704.
SUST 725 Design Leadership and Environmental Justice
Designers can no longer consider the viability of materials solely as they relate to market performance, but must factor into the decision-making process issues that relate directly to the extraction and production of those materials, and the negative impacts that these processes may have on local populations. Effective design leadership is capable of framing these issues in ways that catalyze positive change and inspire innovative problem solving and multi-stakeholder collaboration. This course will explore how design decisions cannot only empower economically disadvantaged populations to alleviate the adverse environmental conditions they may be faced with, but to prevent such conditions from occurring in the first place. Students will be confronted with the chronic social, economic and environmental ills, and challenged to find innovative design solutions that serve these populations. Prerequisite(s): ANTH 701, SUST 704.
SUST 748 Design for Sustainability M.A. Final Project
In this final studio, M.A. students apply all previously acquired skills to develop a truly sustainable product, building, environment, or service concept that addresses all aspects of the development process. Students will integrate a closed loop system and demonstrate the understanding of the interdependence of the four E’s (Ecology, Economy, Equality and Education). With the collaboration of the supervising professor, students must demonstrate command of project planning, development and realization for the topic of their choice. Prerequisite(s): SUST 713.
SUST 779F Graduate Field Internship
Students in this course undertake a field assignment under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite(s): 15 graduate credit hours, good academic standing.
SUST 779T Graduate Teaching Internship
Students in this course undertake a teaching assignment under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite(s): 15 graduate credit hours, good academic standing.
