Cross-Disciplinarity at the Core: Teaching Sustainability in a Business German Course

Abstract

This chapter examines a promising approach for teaching sustainability in the inherently cross-disciplinary context of a Business German course. Grounded in content-based instruction, this pedagogy affords an examination of content (here, sustainable business) in tandem with advancement of discipline-appropriate language skills. The course featured a 'green business' unit centered on Germany's Energiewende (energy transition), developed through collaboration between a German and an International Business professor. Content and pedagogical tools from the discipline of business were incorporated into the sustainability unit'a business case and a cultural framework commonly used in business studies. Outcomes assessment results pointed to students' appreciation for the complexities and benefits of cross-disciplinary learning, the value of understanding business language, concepts, approaches, and the impact on their awareness of sustainability as a locus of citizen activism. Based on this collaboration, we formulate practical advice for instructors interested in embarking on cross-disciplinary projects focused on sustainability education