INFO 310 - Sustainability and Information Literacy

Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-D; Sustainability
This course critically examines cultural and sociopolitical power dynamics in the debate around sustainability and climate change, focusing on the environment, social equity, and the economy, and develops strategies for evaluating information and producing sound arguments within the context of conflict.

Strongly Recommended Preparation: Completion of lower division Areas D1-D3 are highly recommended.
Prerequisites: Junior standing or above and completion of GE areas A1, A2, A3 and B4 with grade C-/CR or better.
Possible Instructional Methods: On-ground, or Hybrid, or Online-Asynchronous.
Grading: A-F or CR/NC (student choice).
Breadth Area(s) Satisfied: GE-UD-D - Upper Division Social Sciences; Overlay - Sustainability
Course Typically Offered: Fall & Spring

Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Analyze how power and social identity affect social/sustainability outcomes for different cultural and economic groups through the analysis of the disproportionate contributions and effects of climate change and other environmental issues on various populations of people across the globe, while considering the three dimensions of sustainability: economic, social justice and environment
Demonstrate an understanding of and ability to apply accurately disciplinary concepts of a social science, specifically through analyzing the debates and evidence presented around sustainability and climate change issues using the techniques and theory of critical discourse analysis which considers the historical and cultural background of the participants
Demonstrate an understanding of and the ability to effectively plan or conduct research using an appropriate method of the social or behavioral sciences, specifically create a survey measuring student sustainability attitudes, and interests in various local projects. Students will learn how to construct an effective survey and conform to IRB guidelines
Demonstrate knowledge of how individuals , and communities can effectively create change both in the level of discourse and action around the issues of sustainability and climate neutrality at the individual local and global levels.
Determine appropriate information sources for research in sustainability and climate change
Effectively access appropriate information sources in sustainability: Including searching library databases, and other government and non-governmental sources of data.
Critically evaluate information these sources in context of a research project. This includes: Identifying the credibility and timeliness of sources taking into consideration scientific validity, cultural and political influences, and bias, and analyzing the authority of the author on the topic.
Effectively use information sources both in and outside the classroom. This includes writing research papers, and creating visual & verbal sources of information, such as infographics, maps using GIS software, timelines, posters and presentations.
Understand and apply information ethics in their research projects. This includes citing appropriately and understanding levels of creative commons copyright and fair use.

UD-D. Upper-division Social Sciences Learning Outcomes

analyze how power and social identity affect social outcomes for different cultural and economic groups using methods of social science inquiry and vocabulary appropriate to those methods;
demonstrate an understanding of and ability to apply accurately disciplinary concepts of the social or behavioral sciences; and
demonstrate an understanding of and ability to effectively plan or conduct research using an appropriate method of the social or behavioral sciences.

Sustainability Overlay Learning Outcomes

identify the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability, either in general or in relation to a specific problem;
analyze interactions between human activities and natural systems;
describe key threats to environmental sustainability; and
explain how individual and societal choices affect prospects for sustainability at the local, regional, and/or global levels.