The Living in the 21st Century Integrative Studies Program

The Living in the 21st Century Program is an emerging model for general education that engages participants in real-world, messy issues by challenging them to think critically and act creatively. During the four-semester long series, participants are introduced to how humans both create and use disciplinary knowledge and then apply it to challenging interdisciplinary problems. Through investigations of complex issues, we build interdisciplinary perspectives across many knowledge domains. The thematic series is designed as a journey toward greater responsibility for learning about and participating in an increasingly complex world. The Earth Sustainability theme piloted with a small group of participants in fall 2004, and a larger group in fall 2006. We are delighted that Earth Sustainability will again expand for the 2008-10 series.

The Earth Sustainability (ES) Theme

The Earth Sustainability (ES) series explores issues surrounding the sustainable use of Earth’s energy and material resources. We use these resources to produce food and fresh water, all of our energy and transportation needs, and shelter. And we are using them at ever-increasing rates. How do we make sense of and measure our impact on Earth’s systems such that we can create a more sustainable pathway to the future?

Four Semester Structure

Course Credits and Credit toward VT's Curriculum for Liberal Education

The ES series is five course credits each semester for students who are not in math intensive majors (UCCS 2984 for 4 credits and MATH 2984 for 1 credit). Students in math intensive majors, such as programs of study in the College of Engineering, can sign up for just UCCS 2984 for 4 credits. Completing the entire series fulfills university CLE areas 2 through 7 not already specified by a major (see degree checksheets). If a student cannot complete the series, partial CLE credit can be requested by petition.

Features of ES

• Allows for relationship building in small learning community sections (25-30) that remain together for four semesters
• Interdisciplinary theme allows for intellectual exploration in diverse ways
• Promotes learning with understanding in both STEM and non-STEM disciplines
• Encourages students to transfer information and problem-solving skills to new contexts
• Challenges students to develop habits of mind, action, and attitude that support effective and responsible citizenship
• Promotes an appreciation of different perspectives and cultural mores, and supports genuinely valuing diversity
• Invites and empowers all learners to become active partners in their own learning
• Provides access to top researchers and leaders as guest speakers
• Builds leadership and professional skills within and beyond the classroom

See the Multimedia page featuring ES Videos!

UCCS Director
Barbara Bekken
Dept. of Geosciences (0420)
5045 Derring Hall
540.231.4466
bekken@vt.edu

UCCS Coordinator
Cortney Martin
Industrial and Systems Engineering (0118)
544 Whittemore Hall
540.230.9366
martinc@vt.edu