Course Content: Sustainable Development & Design Intro

Introduction to Sustainability
Key Concepts of Sustainable Design
Systems Thinking
Sustainable Development & Organization
Introduction to Sustainable Design
The Journey to Sustainable Design
Methods and Tools for Sustainable Design
Designing for Sustainability

Course Description:
Sustainable development and design is the dominant economic, environmental and social issue of the 21st century. This course will develop the concepts of sustainable development and design on the basis that it is an evolutionary process, not easily captured by a simple definition. It represents the epitome of systems analysis--one demanding the integration of the physical sciences and engineering with the biological and social sciences. It is a fundamental redesign of both technological and sociological processes to address change. Topics will range from the examination of sustainable development as a concept to topics of system process, analysis and management of natural systems and human systems within the framework of a webbased approach. Topics for discussion will include the nature of ecosystems, global processes, biodiversity, sustainable communities, industrial ecology, life cycle analysis and human behavior, needs and values.