New courses offered at School of Sustainability

In the next two decades, the world could see up to 60 million new jobs in sustainability, according to a 2012 report released by the United Nations Environment Programme. 

Arizona State University’s School of Sustainability is introducing new courses this fall to provide students with even more professional sustainability skills they can apply toward their careers. The following are among new class offerings:

Learn about energy regulations and politics in SOS 394: Energy Policy

If you’re interested in a career in clean energy, the energy policy course (#89276) with faculty associate Jon Kelman covers U.S. energy production and consumption regulations at the federal, state and local levels. You will learn current and past U.S. energy policies, and how they have shaped U.S. relationships with other countries. The course will not only focus on the actual energy policies, but the stakeholders that shape them, too.

Take action against climate change in SOS 394: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory

Before government agencies and private organizations can implement mitigation strategies, they must take stock of their emissions.

“About two-thirds of all Fortune 500 companies report greenhouse gas emissions using a protocol that will be taught in this course,” says faculty associate Nick Brown, also the University Sustainability Practices director and a senior sustainability scientist in the Global Institute of Sustainability.

In this course (#88094), Brown and climate change science manager and senior sustainability scientist Nalini Chhetri will teach you emissions accounting methods and how to inform decisions based on greenhouse gas policies. You will then ultimately develop and present an emissions inventory for public and private clients. 

Advocate for justice in SOS 494: Sustainability and Social and Family Welfare

Sustainability doesn’t just focus on the environment – it involves people, too.

“The family is not only an important resource, it is considered by many to be the most important societal resource,” says Robert Moroney, a professor in the School of Social Work who will co-teach the course with Judy Krysik. “This course will examine current social policies affecting the family. It will evaluate [policy] appropriateness to sustain the emerging family of our new era and determine whether modifications to our current social policies are necessary.”

This course (#88327) is also available at the graduate level, listed as SOS 591 (#88322).

Film a clean energy documentary in SOS 498: Sustainability Short-Form Documentary

“Carbon Nation” director and producer Peter Byck will teach you everything he knows about telling a story about sustainability through filmmaking.

“The students will learn how to make a documentary from soup to nuts: research, camera prep, hunting for characters, shooting, logging the footage, editing, screening, and taking feedback and criticism,” Byck says. “They’ll learn what it’s like to finish a film. And they’ll learn how great it feels to show it.”

This course (#89225) is open to School of Sustainability students, as well as students in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Graduate students can also enroll as SOS 594 (#89226).

For questions, contact the School of Sustainability’s Undergraduate Advising or Graduate Advising.