CAUSE 2022: Applied Sustainability in Colorado (EMSC 470 Sp/Su/Fall 2022) will explore a variety of novel sustainability applications in Colorado. Topics include urban and rural food production, "zero waste" policies, permaculture, solar photovoltaics, micro-hydroelectricity, anaerobic digestion, hospitality, sustainable brewing practices and more!
In order to enroll in the program students must either take EMSC 240N in the spring of 2022 or have already completed EMSC 240, or EMSC 240N in prior semesters. This provides a foundation of sustainability knowledge that will be explored in more depth while traveling. Students will also take a 1-credit course in the spring semester to learn about sustainability in and the geography of Colorado and begin working on final project ideas. For the final project, to be completed in the fall - students will create an applied sustainability project proposal.
The focus of the 1-credit summer travel course is to meet individuals and groups throughout Colorado who have applied sustainability in novel ways, including in agriculture, energy, breweries, hospitality, and more. Over the course of 9 days, students will travel from Denver across the Rocky Mountains to the Western Slope and back. Throughout our travels students will be presented with the ideas, processes, and lessons learned shared by the sustainability experts with the aim to provide context for final projects. There will be some free time to hike and explore some of the local environs as well.
The 2-credit fall semester will focus on refining Final Project and crafting a presentation in which students will summarize their applied sustainability proposals.
Course Structure
- The course is a three semester program and include:
- 4 credits of online coursework in the spring 2022 semester - only one credit required in the spring of 2022 if EMSC 240N has already been completed;
- 1 credit for travel in the summer 2022 semester; and
- 2 credits of online coursework in the fall 2022 semster, where students will complete research projects identified during their travel. Approved projects may be team based or completed individually.
Travel component
- During the summer semester 2022, students will visit multiple sites in Denver, Boulder, and Paonia, Colorado to learn more about sustainability and energy practices and policies here in the United States. Students will identify their fall semester project topic during travel and will complete journaling exercises related to their travel experiences.
Eligibility
- Enrollment is open to all College of Earth and Mineral Sciences undergraduate students.
Instructors
- Dan Kasper, 302-747-0638, djk167@psu.edu
- Haley Sankey, 814-863-1009, hjs142@psu.edu
Deadline
December 4, 2021 is the deadline to apply