Put your passion for protecting and preserving the planet into action. Receive a sustainability degree from Graceland.
Take on the most urgent environmental and social-ecological challenges from the moment you step on campus and learn how to turn your interest in sustainability into a career. With Graceland's Sustainability major, you'll learn the skills and knowledge it takes to provide a better future for the following generations.
With a Sustainability Studies major from Graceland University, you’ll learn skills that will help you make a difference in the world and prepare you for a variety of graduate and professional degree programs. You'll learn systems thinking and gain hands-on experience to develop ecologically restorative ideas and policies and understand the complex relationships between humans and the environment.
Graceland structures our sustainability program to be hands-on, innovative, and interdisciplinary. We want to prepare students with a wide range of skills that will come in handy no matter what further degree they decide to get, or what career field they choose to hone in on. The sustainability major at Graceland is designed to work in tandem with the general education curriculum, making it a well-rounded program choice for students.
The Sustainability Studies program at Graceland is a hands-on, innovative and interdisciplinary program designed to prepare students for a range of careers in the sustainability field. It is also rooted in Graceland’s general education curriculum, which makes it easy to add a double major or explore other academic interests.
In addition to the General Education requirements, the interdisciplinary major in Sustainability Studies requires 36 s.h.
Core course requirements 21 s.h.
Course Required for General Education 4 s.h.
9 s.h. of electives from the following list. Minimum 6 s.h. need to be upper division.
Internship requirements 3 s.h.
Capstone/Senior Seminar/Senior Project requirement 3 s.h.
Programs, including internships, will be overseen by a standing Sustainability Studies Committee with a consistent chair who serves as a point person.
Recommended that Sustainability students take MATH1370 Statistics for Sciences and ECON1320 Principles of Microeconomics as part of their General Education requirements.
Sustainable International Agriculture explores global issues, incremental and transformative steps toward sustainable agriculture, international development opportunities, current agricultural industries, educational pathways, and career options. Content includes emphasis on understanding the need for agricultural infrastructure and production, embracing sustainability, and appreciating broad-based, liberating (essential) education. ELO4 Global Learning - Sustainability
Contemporary and traditional approaches to clay with emphasis on wheel-throwing and hand-building techniques. Exploration of sustainable production practices will also address surface decoration and responsible firing processes. Studio fee required. ELO5 Arts - Sustainability
An introduction to the fundamentals of sustainability and its impact on biological systems. Explores how sustainability relates to population, ecosystems, global change, energy, agriculture, water, environmental economics and policy, ethics, and cultural history. Practical approaches to this course will be tied closely to small-scale agriculture and water use with hands-on fieldwork at the campus EcoPlot. ELO6 Science - Sustainability
An exploration of the biotic and abiotic components of the environment, including the biological, physical, and chemical processes that shape natural ecosystems (e.g., biogeochemical cycles). The course will also examine the impact of human population growth, resource use, emissions production, and technological innovations on the environment. Current environmental issues, such as loss of biodiversity, ecosystem degradation, air and water pollution, and climate change, will be considered. Additional fee required. ELO6 Science - Innovation, GE3D Liberal Learning-Natural Sciences
A study of how organisms interact with one another and with their physical environments at the physiological, population, community, and ecosystem levels. Case studies will use ecological concepts to develop conservation strategies for species, habitats, and ecosystems. Includes a lab. Additional fee required. EL06 Science - World Citizenship, ELO6 Science - Sustainability +This course is only offered every other year.
An exploration of the biotic and abiotic components of the environment, including the biological, physical, and chemical processes that shape natural ecosystems (e.g., biogeochemical cycles). The course will also examine the impact of human population growth, resource use, emissions production, and technological innovations on the environment. Current environmental issues, such as loss of biodiversity, ecosystem degradation, air and water pollution, and climate change, will be considered. Additional fee required. ELO6 Science - Innovation, GE3D Liberal Learning-Natural Sciences.
This course will extend scientific knowledge to understand how nature and the environment influence communication and society. Students will learn about significant environmental controversies, from toxic waste to climate change, to pro-environmental behaviors. Using a foundation of persuasion, the course focuses on social responsibility and the history of mediated communication within the context of environmental movements and human-made crises.
Students will learn theoretical and practical foundations related to geographic information systems and spatial analysis. Emphasis on teaching students to integrate and analyze spatial information from various sources. Includes a weekly laboratory section. Prerequisite: MATH1380.
Analysis of the fundamental principles of the American economic system, centering on price, production, market structures, and a survey of contemporary economic problems, e.g. sustainability. ELO5 Social Science - Sustainability
Who is most hurt by environmental degradation and abuse, and who benefits? This course will examine what contemporary literature from the United States and around the world has to say about environmental racism, ecofeminism, and settler colonialism. We’ll also think about the social construction of nature, globalization, food justice, and urban ecological issues. Our guiding question is simple: What is the role of art in the struggle for social change? This course emphasizes critical thinking, historical and socio-political contexts, and diverse aesthetics.
A transnational survey of films that deal with environmental issues and, more broadly, with human relationships to the nonhuman world. An examination of the impact of urbanization on rural communities, the mysterious allure of wild and uncultivated landscapes, the threat of climate change to daily life around the world, and the cinematic representation of environmental apocalypse. Explores different genres and styles, including neo-realism, eco-horror, anime, and avant-garde cinema. ELO5 Humanities - Sustainability +This course is only offered every other year.
What makes a work of literature "environmental"? How have humans thought about nature throughout history, and how does that intellectual and artistic history affect us today? Can works of literature help humans prevent environmental catastrophes like climate change and species extinction? We'll seek answers to these questions as we engage with fiction, nonfiction, drama, and poetry. We'll discuss the ways that literary and cultural forms can shape who we are, what we value, and what we imagine for the future. We'll also work to build your skills of critical reading, analytical thinking and persuasive writing, skills that will serve you in the future, in whatever environment you inhabit. ELO5 Humanities - Sustainability.
An examination of the complex relationship between human society and nature from early settlements to the present in what is now the United States. Important topics include the impact of human settlement, population growth, use of land and natural resources, the effects of industrialization, and the development of the conservation and environmental movements. ELO5 Histories - Sustainability, GE3B Liberal Learning-Histories.
Data analysis and measures of central tendency, dispersion, and correlation. Introduction to probability. Estimation and hypothesis testing. Bivariate regression. ANOVA. Introduction to nonparametric techniques. ELO6 Math, GE2B Foundational Skills-Mathematics/Quantitative.
An introduction to the fundamentals of sustainability and its impact on biological systems. Explores how sustainability relates to population, ecosystems, global change, energy, agriculture, water, environmental economics and policy, ethics, and cultural history. Practical approaches to this course will be tied closely to small-scale agriculture and water use with hands-on fieldwork at the campus EcoPlot. ELO6 Science - Sustainability
Students will learn theoretical and practical foundations related to geographic information systems and spatial analysis. Emphasis on teaching students to integrate and analyze spatial information from various sources. Includes a weekly laboratory section. Prerequisite: MATH1370.
An internship program that connects students to campus initiatives that focus on sustainable practices. Potential internship areas might include campus engagement, air and climate, buildings, energy, food and dining, purchasing, transportation, waste, and water. Supervised and facilitated by the sustainability coordinator and developed in conjunction with the interests of the student. (Graded on a Pass/Fail basis) Prerequisites: major in Sustainability Studies, junior/senior status, and instructor's consent.
An internship that allows students to work with professionals in career areas relating to the field of Sustainability Studies (including the private, public, and nonprofit sectors). Placements will be supervised by the sustainability coordinator and developed in conjunction with the interests of the student. (Graded on a Pass/Fail basis) Prerequisites: major in Sustainability Studies, junior/senior status, and instructor's consent.
Planning, preparing, and presenting a senior project in the student's area of concentration. Prerequisites: major in Sustainability Studies, junior/senior status.
Sustainable International Agriculture explores global issues, incremental and transformative steps toward sustainable agriculture, international development opportunities, current agricultural industries, educational pathways, and career options. Content includes emphasis on understanding the need for agricultural infrastructure and production, embracing sustainability, and appreciating broad-based, liberating (essential) education. ELO4 Global Learning - Sustainability
Contemporary and traditional approaches to clay with emphasis on wheel-throwing and hand-building techniques. Exploration of sustainable production practices will also address surface decoration and responsible firing processes. Studio fee required. ELO5 Arts - Sustainability
An introduction to the fundamentals of sustainability and its impact on biological systems. Explores how sustainability relates to population, ecosystems, global change, energy, agriculture, water, environmental economics and policy, ethics, and cultural history. Practical approaches to this course will be tied closely to small-scale agriculture and water use with hands-on fieldwork at the campus EcoPlot. ELO6 Science - Sustainability
An exploration of the biotic and abiotic components of the environment, including the biological, physical, and chemical processes that shape natural ecosystems (e.g., biogeochemical cycles). The course will also examine the impact of human population growth, resource use, emissions production, and technological innovations on the environment. Current environmental issues, such as loss of biodiversity, ecosystem degradation, air and water pollution, and climate change, will be considered. Additional fee required. ELO6 Science - Innovation, GE3D Liberal Learning-Natural Sciences
A study of how organisms interact with one another and with their physical environments at the physiological, population, community, and ecosystem levels. Case studies will use ecological concepts to develop conservation strategies for species, habitats, and ecosystems. Includes a lab. Additional fee required. EL06 Science - World Citizenship, ELO6 Science - Sustainability +This course is only offered every other year.
An exploration of the biotic and abiotic components of the environment, including the biological, physical, and chemical processes that shape natural ecosystems (e.g., biogeochemical cycles). The course will also examine the impact of human population growth, resource use, emissions production, and technological innovations on the environment. Current environmental issues, such as loss of biodiversity, ecosystem degradation, air and water pollution, and climate change, will be considered. Additional fee required. ELO6 Science - Innovation, GE3D Liberal Learning-Natural Sciences.
This course will extend scientific knowledge to understand how nature and the environment influence communication and society. Students will learn about significant environmental controversies, from toxic waste to climate change, to pro-environmental behaviors. Using a foundation of persuasion, the course focuses on social responsibility and the history of mediated communication within the context of environmental movements and human-made crises.
Students will learn theoretical and practical foundations related to geographic information systems and spatial analysis. Emphasis on teaching students to integrate and analyze spatial information from various sources. Includes a weekly laboratory section. Prerequisite: MATH1380.
Analysis of the fundamental principles of the American economic system, centering on price, production, market structures, and a survey of contemporary economic problems, e.g. sustainability. ELO5 Social Science - Sustainability
Who is most hurt by environmental degradation and abuse, and who benefits? This course will examine what contemporary literature from the United States and around the world has to say about environmental racism, ecofeminism, and settler colonialism. We’ll also think about the social construction of nature, globalization, food justice, and urban ecological issues. Our guiding question is simple: What is the role of art in the struggle for social change? This course emphasizes critical thinking, historical and socio-political contexts, and diverse aesthetics.
A transnational survey of films that deal with environmental issues and, more broadly, with human relationships to the nonhuman world. An examination of the impact of urbanization on rural communities, the mysterious allure of wild and uncultivated landscapes, the threat of climate change to daily life around the world, and the cinematic representation of environmental apocalypse. Explores different genres and styles, including neo-realism, eco-horror, anime, and avant-garde cinema. ELO5 Humanities - Sustainability +This course is only offered every other year.
What makes a work of literature "environmental"? How have humans thought about nature throughout history, and how does that intellectual and artistic history affect us today? Can works of literature help humans prevent environmental catastrophes like climate change and species extinction? We'll seek answers to these questions as we engage with fiction, nonfiction, drama, and poetry. We'll discuss the ways that literary and cultural forms can shape who we are, what we value, and what we imagine for the future. We'll also work to build your skills of critical reading, analytical thinking and persuasive writing, skills that will serve you in the future, in whatever environment you inhabit. ELO5 Humanities - Sustainability.
An examination of the complex relationship between human society and nature from early settlements to the present in what is now the United States. Important topics include the impact of human settlement, population growth, use of land and natural resources, the effects of industrialization, and the development of the conservation and environmental movements. ELO5 Histories - Sustainability, GE3B Liberal Learning-Histories.
Data analysis and measures of central tendency, dispersion, and correlation. Introduction to probability. Estimation and hypothesis testing. Bivariate regression. ANOVA. Introduction to nonparametric techniques. ELO6 Math, GE2B Foundational Skills-Mathematics/Quantitative.
An introduction to the fundamentals of sustainability and its impact on biological systems. Explores how sustainability relates to population, ecosystems, global change, energy, agriculture, water, environmental economics and policy, ethics, and cultural history. Practical approaches to this course will be tied closely to small-scale agriculture and water use with hands-on fieldwork at the campus EcoPlot. ELO6 Science - Sustainability
Students will learn theoretical and practical foundations related to geographic information systems and spatial analysis. Emphasis on teaching students to integrate and analyze spatial information from various sources. Includes a weekly laboratory section. Prerequisite: MATH1370.
An internship program that connects students to campus initiatives that focus on sustainable practices. Potential internship areas might include campus engagement, air and climate, buildings, energy, food and dining, purchasing, transportation, waste, and water. Supervised and facilitated by the sustainability coordinator and developed in conjunction with the interests of the student. (Graded on a Pass/Fail basis) Prerequisites: major in Sustainability Studies, junior/senior status, and instructor's consent.
An internship that allows students to work with professionals in career areas relating to the field of Sustainability Studies (including the private, public, and nonprofit sectors). Placements will be supervised by the sustainability coordinator and developed in conjunction with the interests of the student. (Graded on a Pass/Fail basis) Prerequisites: major in Sustainability Studies, junior/senior status, and instructor's consent.
Planning, preparing, and presenting a senior project in the student's area of concentration. Prerequisites: major in Sustainability Studies, junior/senior status.
The Sustainability Studies program is led by our incredible Division of Humanities faculty. Each of these professors went to years of schooling and many have in-field research experience related to sustainability studies. They've dedicated their lives to the environment, and now to their students. Read more in their bios below.
The growth career opportunities in sustainability studies are quickly outpacing many other industries and offer a wide breadth of choices in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. All of these career paths are focused on slowing, stopping, or potentially reversing climate change, and ultimately making the world a better place.
We believe the best way to learn is through experience and provide active opportunities for students to learn firsthand about sustainability. Experiential learning is a part of every major at Graceland and Sustainability Studies is no different.
99% of students on the Lamoni campus receive financial aid.
As you consider college, you want a simple, easy-to-understand formula designed to ensure that the one-of-a-kind Graceland Experience is within reach for your family. Undergraduate tuition includes our unique Transformational Leadership major, and we offer generous financial aid and scholarships to all of our students, making Graceland as affordable, if not moreso, than most public universities.
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