This course examines production and consumption of various forms of sustainable energy appropriate for business. Subtopics include global and regional pollution issues, climate change, carbon sequestering, and energy efficiency. Renewable energy sources examined include solar, wind, fuel cells, hydrogen combustion, tidal, and ocean thermal. Prerequisite: EL301 or consent of instructor.

Regulatory compliance strategies for business on local, state, and federal levels are outlined. Strategies for bringing small, medium, and large businesses in compliance with air, water, and solid-waste pollution regulations are discussed. Prerequisite: EL100

For many corporations, and organizations the starting point for addressing sustainability challenges is baseline data collection and reporting. Sustainability reporting enables companies and organizations to report environmental, social and economic information in a way that is similar to financial reporting. In recent years, the number of organizations issuing such reports has increased rapidly. This course is an introduction to sustainability reporting and metrics in both corporate and academic settings. You will learn about sustainability reporting guidelines and best practices through lectures and by reading several sustainability reports. After gaining this foundational knowledge, you will be developing a sustainability report for Aquinas College. Prerequisite: SB100

Microeconomic theory and models of environmental economics are examined, such as common property resources, externalities, environmental accounting, contingent valuation, and maximum sustainable yield, along with the complex economic and social impacts of environmental policy. Prerequisite: EL100 and ES211

This course examines the role of social capital in building sustainable organizations and communities. The key elements and various forms of social capital will be explored by looking at the different ways that communities develop and how the human relationship with ecological systems can be sustained and enhanced. Ways to measure social capital will also be addressed in order to strengthen the understanding of this component of sustainable business and foster its application in the workplace. 

This course examines the deployment of sustainable business practices around the world. Class discussions, lectures and assignments will explore the variety of sustainable business models and practices which may be found in differently developing countries and regions, as well as introduce the complexities of a practicing sustainable business in a globalizing world. Students will be challenged to analyze the significance of cultural, political, and socioeconomic contexts in designing products, processes, and business strategies and models which will further sustainable business criteria. Each semester, a particular region/country receives more intense examination, culminating with a ten-twelve day field visit to that region/country immediately following the Academic Programs 247 end of the semester. A required field component for the course takes place in various locations throughout the regions/country. To participate in this required field component, students must complete the required forms and submit payments according to the dates outlined in the “Study Abroad for International Perspectives in Sustainable Business” contract and other materials posted for this field component on Course Connect. Prerequisites: SB100 and SB315 or consent of instructor.

This course offers an experiential approach to applying key sustainable business principles to current business challenges and opportunities. Topics examined each week will focus on a different issue related to recreating a sustainable management system for a fictional business. Writing, research and presentations will assess students' reading readiness as sustainable business professionals and agents of change. Prerequisites: SB201 and SB315 or Permission of Instructor.

Individually negotiated list of readings in sustainable business as established by contract between the student and professor. Contracts are filed with the Registrar. Prerequisite: Approval of department chairperson.