Ed.D. Curriculum - School of Education

Ed.D. in Educational Sustainability: Curriculum

All courses are 3 credits.

Required Core Courses - 18 credits

EDSU 810: Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations of Sustainability Leadership in Education

Interdisciplinary course that provides a foundation for the development of a personal and professional leadership style grounded in leadership theories, as it they pertains to socio-cultural, political, as well as pedagogical and ecological issues. Leadership discourses and discussion will be reflective of the influence of the social locations and identities of the actors as well as the dynamics of power, resistance, powerlessness, and efforts to claim citizenship and justice from the grassroots and up. Through exposure to recognized leaders in society, ecology, education, and other fields, students will postulate what leadership principles resonate with their area of work and study. Engage in interdisciplinary analyses of leadership theories and philosophies, and examine the complex ethical and professional responsibilities within professional and community relationships. Prerequisites: admission into the Ed.D. program or special permission.

EDSU 820: Social Justice in Education for Sustainability

An advanced and in-depth exploration of the issues of power and inequality by addressing current issues from a variety of perspectives, possibilities, and geographies. Key course concepts for social justice in education include cultural frameworks, social construct, and politics of epistemology. Examine historic and contemporary examples of informal and formal educational institutions as mechanisms of social, political, ecological, and economic systems. Engage in critical research, analysis, writing, and development of programs in their field that strive to balance social justice education and learning as sustainability. Prerequisites: admission into the Ed.D. program or special permission.

EDSU 900 Introduction to Doctoral Studies and Educational Sustainability

Introduction to sustainability and key concepts and pedagogy of education for sustainability. Educational sustainability is an inclusive way of systems thinking that encompasses human and ecological health, social justice, secure livelihoods and educational opportunities for a better world for all generations. Become familiar with the overall Ed.D. program design and develop personal learning goals for their doctoral studies. Prerequisites: admission into the Ed.D. program.

EDSU 904 Transformative Sustainability Teaching and Learning

Builds on the introduction course, Educational Sustainability (EDSU 900) as an interdisciplinary approach to developing social and ecological change. Relevant theories and case studies will be utilized to address the cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual perspectives of transformational and systemic learning, in contrast to the managerial and mechanistic approach to teaching and learning. Prerequisites: admission into the Ed.D. program.

EDSU 908 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education for Sustainability

Focus on the history, philosophical origins of education for sustainability and environmental history. Develop deeper understandings of the challenges facing education and our environment in contemporary society. Prerequisites: admission into the Ed.D. program.

EDSU 918 Scholar Mentorship

Deep analysis of literature related to educational sustainability. Develop scholarship through interactions with qualified mentors that are leading educational sustainability experts from around the globe. Prerequisites: admission into the Ed.D. program.

Required Research, Scholar, & Practitioner Courses - 21 Credits

EDSU 905 Research I (Proposal Writing)

Overview of scholarly thinking and research from an interdisciplinary perspective. Focus on developing research questions, conducting a literature review, developing a research design, and selecting appropriate research methods. Prerequisites: admission into the Ed.D. program.

EDSU 906 Research II (Qualitative/Quantitative Methods)

Examine qualitative and quantitative research methods using existing technological software. Build your capacity for describing social behavior, interpreting meaning and significance using data visualization techniques, and understanding descriptive analysis, and empirical theory. Prerequisites: admission into the Ed.D. program.

EDSU 919 Applied Residency Project

Key topics include education for sustainability, learning organizations, case study methodology, and program evaluation. Key practices include applying interdisciplinary information, program development and evaluation, critical reflection, and critical and empathetic peer review. Applied research and place-based field study through an intense in-person summer program. May be repeated up to 3 times.

EDSU 920 Dissertation Seminar and Writing

Draft and complete the dissertation with peer and adviser critique. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: admission into the Ed.D. program. 3-6 credits.

NOTE: Continual enrollment is required until the term you graduate. Continual enrollment does not include the summer, however if you plan to graduate in the summer, you must be enrolled in that term (you must be enrolled in any term that you wish to apply for graduation).

Electives - Choose Any 15 Credits

(Master's students may take electives at the 700 level)

EDSU 701/901 Sustaining Human Systems

Human systems have rituals, celebrations, history and indigenous knowledge that sustain their worldview and cultural interactions. In this course, students will apply their knowledge of EfS to explore cultural perspectives, social equity, ecological justice, biological and cultural diversities in an effort to develop an understanding of the values and commitment for the good of the whole.

EDSU 702/902 Systems Thinking in Program Development

In this course, students will utilize EfS concepts and systems thinking to identify, critique, and develop innovative evaluation approaches and frameworks for diverse formal, non-formal, and informal educational settings. Course content will create opportunities for students to analyze and evaluate relevant educational organizations, programs, and curriculum.

EDSU 703/903 Reorienting Curriculum and Programs Towards a Sustainable Future

Examines education programs through the lens of global sustainability. A critical lens will be applied to the purpose and value of education both historically and contemporarily to develop the students' core beliefs and values in education and learning. Available for master's program graduate credit as EDSU 703. Available for doctoral credit for the Ed.D. in Educational Sustainability as EDSU 903. Prerequisites: admission into a graduate program of study.

EDSU 707/907 Analysis and Improvement of Programs in Education for Sustainability (EfS)

Project-based course designed to give the opportunity to research and design learning domains that support EfS principles, pedagogy, policies, and practices. The project will include action strategies, research applications, and a blueprint for improvement of educational programs. Available for master's program graduate credit as EDSU 707. Available for doctoral credit for the Ed.D. in Educational Sustainability as EDSU 907 Prerequisites: admission into the Ed.D. program.

EDSU 709/909 Ethics of Care in a Sustainable Society

Ethics of care is a theory to guide education toward developing moral, empathetic citizens. This course will explore this theory and its application within sustainability education. Ethics of care will be applied in the development of education programs for vulnerable populations. Available for master's program graduate credit as EDSU 709. Available for doctoral credit for the Ed.D. in Educational Sustainability as EDSU 909. Prerequisites: admission into the Ed.D. program.

EDSU 710/910 Place-Based Approaches within the Global Community Context

Students will critically explore place-based approaches to decolonize and re-inhabit places in support of sustainable communities. Participants will identify local and global needs in relevant community contexts and determine resources to support place-based pedagogies in their programs, curriculum or organizations. Students will connect local initiatives to global, interconnected challenges and solutions. Available for master's program graduate credit as EDSU 710. Available for doctoral credit for the Ed.D. in Educational Sustainability as EDSU 910. Prerequisites: admission into the Ed.D. or Master's program.

EDSU 711/911 Global Environmental Change

In the age where we are facing unprecedented global and local environmental issues, you will be able to articulate these issues from multiple perspectives integrating ecological, economic and social aspects. You will also examine and assess the social movements that are underway to address global environmental issues. Available for master's program graduate credit as EDSU 711. Available for doctoral credit for the Ed.D. in Educational Sustainability as EDSU 911. Prerequisites: admission into the graduate program of studies or Ed.D.

EDSU 712/912 Political Ecology and Sustainability

Explore the relationships between political, economic, social, and environmental aspects of contemporary sustainability issues. Learn multiple perspectives with regard to the preservation and management of the commons and research the political ecology of a locally relevant issue. Available for master's program graduate credit as EDSU 712. Available for doctoral credit for the Ed.D. in Educational Sustainability as EDSU 912. Prerequisites: admission into the Ed.D. program.

EDSU 713/913 Ecological Foundations for a Sustainable Society

Utilizing scientific and indigenous knowledge, students will explore and apply ecological principles for sustainability in social and economic systems. Human systems are also part of nature, and ecological principles provide the foundation for long-term economic, civic, and social sustainability. Available for master's program graduate credit as EDSU 713. Available for doctoral credit for the Ed.D. in Educational Sustainability as EDSU 913. Prerequisites: admission into the Ed.D. program.

EDSU 714/914 Teaching and Learning in Alternative Educational Settings

Education for sustainability can occur inside and outside of formal schools. Design and implement strategies to develop sustainability- focused learning opportunities in business, community, recreation, and other alternative youth and adult educational settings. Available for master's program graduate credit as EDSU 714. Available for doctoral credit for the Ed.D. in Educational Sustainability as EDSU 914. Prerequisites: admission into the Ed.D. program.

EDSU 715/915 Creative and Innovative Technology Thinking in Educational Sustainability

This course will explore technological tools and frameworks used in societal and environmental meaning making of significance in our planet. Students shall explore from beginning to advanced level technologies in the field of Interactive Story Mapping (ISM), Remote Learning (RL), Location Intelligence (LI), Data Collection, Analysis, and Visualization (DCAV) among others. In this course, students will engage in hands-on project-based activities involving extractive thinking of solutions from examination of empirical data. Such thought processes will lead students to develop applications that reinforces understanding from the lens of United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (UNSDG). Available for master's program graduate credit as EDSU 715. Available for doctoral credit for the Ed.D. in Educational Sustainability as EDSU 915. Prerequisites: admission into the Ed.D. program or Program Director Consent.

EDSU 740/940: Adaptive Mindsets for Transformative Action

Implications of different mindsets for individuals, groups, and sustainability. Applying mindsets to learning, leadership, and personal fulfillment. Available for master's program graduate credit as EDSU 740. Available for doctoral credit for the Ed.D. in Educational Sustainability as EDSU 940.

EDSU 790/990 Special Topics in Educational Sustainability*
Subtitle will designate area of course focus. May repeat with different subtitles. Can substitute EDSU 990 for 3 credit hours of EDSU 920.
*Not repeatable with the same topic at the 700 or 900 level, repeatable with different special topics.

EDSU 996 Independent Study (in any strand)

Planned study to supplement preparation in area of specialization; regular conferences with staff supervisor. Prerequisites: admission into the Ed.D. program. 1-3 credits.

SPRING 2021 COURSE CATALOG

This program is administered by the School of Education Office of Graduate Studies & Professional Development. Admission requirements can be found here.

Three year program consisting of 54 credits.

Required Core Courses: (24 credits)

Required Research, Scholar, & Practitioner Courses: (18 credits)

EDSU 905 - Research I (Proposal Writing) 3 cr.
EDSU 906 - Research II (Qualitative/Quantitative Methods) 3 cr.
EDSU 918 - Scholar Mentorship 3 cr.
EDSU 919 - Applied Residency Project 3-6 cr.
EDSU 920 - Dissertation Seminar and Writing 3-6 cr.

Electives: (12 credits)

EDSU 901 - Sustaining Human Systems 3 cr.
EDSU 902 - Systems Thinking in Program Development 3 cr.
EDSU 907 - Analysis and Improvement of Programs in EFS 3 cr.
EDSU 909 - Ethics of Care in a Sustainable Society 3 cr.
EDSU 910 - Place-Based Approaches within the Global Community Context 3 cr.
EDSU 914 - Teaching and Learning in Alternative Educational Settings 3 cr.
EDSU 920 - Dissertation Seminar and Writing 3-6 cr.

EDSU 996 - Independent Study (in any strand) 1-3 cr.