Abstract
As universities and colleges seek to integrate sustainability into a broad range of programs, degrees, and certificates, they must overcome traditional academic silos, disciplinary boundaries, and funding constraints. This requires an unprecedented level of curricular innovation, creative funding streams, and directed facilitation of cross-campus collaboration and communication. This article describes and analyzes recent efforts at the University of Utah to dramatically enhance interdisciplinary sustainability curriculum by utilizing a broad set of tools, including the creation of new faculty and staff positions, faculty learning communities, and special seminars; the development of new degrees and certificates; and the innovative changes in University structure and administration. The authors focus on the role of program coherence, administration, and ongoing support and assessment, as well as network building and systemic innovation that incentivize interdisciplinary sustainability teaching and curriculum development.
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Ward, M., Bowen, B., Burian, S. et al. Institutionalizing interdisciplinary sustainability curriculum at a large, research-intensive university: challenges and opportunities. J Environ Stud Sci 6, 425–431 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13412-015-0315-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13412-015-0315-z