Synergy of the (Campus) Commons: Integrating Campus-Based Team Projects in an Introductory Sustainability Course

Charlotte R. Clark and Tavey M. Capps
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Charlotte R. Clark: Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
Tavey M. Capps: Office of Sustainable Duke, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 3, 1-21

Abstract: Faculty and staff at Duke have collaborated to teach a one-semester, introductory, undergraduate course on sustainability ten times over 12 years, including both theoretical and applied project-based content. This article describes the overall process and rhythm of the course, and provides a unique contribution by summarizing our process to accomplish on-campus sustainability projects where three- to five-person student teams collaborate with on-campus clients throughout the semester, researching questions posed by the client, and ultimately providing recommendations. The faculty/staff partnership on the instructional team permits five to six projects to be designed each year, with a much broader array of clients and authentic research questions than could be envisioned by an academic faculty member alone. Having a strong connection with the Sustainable Duke staff provides the trust with other staff on campus that project results can endure past the semester time period if warranted.

Keywords: undergraduate; experiential education; team-based; campus; transdisciplinary sustainability education; interdisciplinary sustainability education; faculty collaboration; campus as a living laboratory; service learning; project-based learning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:3:p:1224-:d:318056

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