Sustainability infused across the curriculum at a minority-serving liberal arts institution: A case study

Abstract

A critical challenge facing institutions of higher education is the integration of a sustainable energy curriculum into interdisciplinary education. This case study evaluates the campus-wide development and adoption of an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary sustainability education minor at a small, minority-serving institution. Forty faculty members across 11 academic units participated in the implementation of this initiative. A qualitative analysis of focus group transcripts and course syllabi was conducted to report the processes and findings of the adoption and development of a sustainability curriculum. The focus group results indicated substantial faculty interest and approval of implementing sustainability education at the institution within certain disciplines. Upon the completion of the study it was concluded that the sustainability minor was developed and infused at the college. The implications of this study advance the importance of incorporating sustainability education within all academic disciplines throughout a small, minority-serving institution to increase the presence of African Americans in future careers in energy, green jobs or energy policy/economics.