ETLS 677 Sustainable Development Strategies

Course Description

Class Outline

About the Instructor

E-Mail Instructor

Engr & Tech Mgmt Home

Instructor:

Allen Aspengren

Time:

Section 01, Thursday, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Location:

St. Paul Campus, OSS 111

Telephone:

Home: 952-435-8644
ahaspengren@frontiernet.net

Required Materials:

None

Students are required to read two books on sustainable development or global warming; one from a business perspective and one from an environmental perspective.

Suggested Readings:

List will be distributed on the first day of class.

Course Description:

Students will learn about global warming and climate change and ways that industry and individuals can minimize their effects through sustainable development strategies. Some of these strategies include using leadership in energy and environmental design standards in building and houses, life cycle management, eco-efficiency, design for environment (DDE) and other practices to reduce or eliminate pollution and increase energy efficiency. Through their outside readings they will see different perspectives on global warming and sustainable development. Part of sustainable development is addressing social equity issues such as fair pay, child labor, discrimination, etc. This course will contain technical information and calculations necessary to evaluate energy alternatives, product impacts, design alternatives and environmental control options. The financial impact of these options will also be discussed.

Course Objectives:

The course will teach students about global warming and climate change along with the principles of sustainable development and how companies can survive and thrive long-term. Through balancing the sustainable triangle, companies can make a profit and grow while still protecting the environment and aggressively addressing social equity issues such as fair pay, child labor, diversity, etc. Ethics and ethical decisions will be an integral part of every class. Through case studies and a field trip, students will see first hand how sustainable development works and can be applied to any business or government operation. They will be required, in a term paper, to assess their own company or a hypothetical firm and put it on the path to sustainable development.

Learning Outcomes:

Students will demonstrate:	Program Outcomes Reference
- The ability to understand operations from the viewpoint of all shareholders. (TP, T, FT, CP, Hwk)	SE1 TM2 MS9
- The ability to lead with positive social, ethical, and executive perspectives, and courage of conviction. (TP, Hwk, T)	MS3 TM5 SE13 SE14 SE16
- The ability to communicate effectively. (Hwk)	MS4 TM6
- Students will show how, through their knowledge of implementation of sustainable development principles, a competitive advantage is created. (Hwk, T, FT, TP)	SE1 MS9
- The ability to recognize the need for life-long learning (CP)	SE15
- Leadership qualities (CP, Hwk, TP)	MS1 TM2

Course Methodology:

The instructor will serve as a facilitator and lecturer. Two outside, required readings and reports will serve to give the students a balanced understanding of the material.

Major
Assignments:

        Mid-term Exam (T) - 20%
        Final Exam (FT) - 20%
        Term Paper (TP) - 30%
        Homework (Hwk) - 20%
        Attendance and Class Participation -10%

Grading Policy:

Tests and papers must be completed on time. Effective class participation is essential.

100-95               A
94-92                A-
91-89                B+
88-86                B
85-83                B-
82-80                C
79-70                D
70-below            F

Academic Integrity:

All students are expected to understand and follow the University of St Thomas policies on Academic Integrity. These are described at: www.stthomas.edu/engineering/graduate/policies

Exams: Exams are one of the instruments used to evaluate the knowledge gained by an individual student of the class subject matter, and the progress towards meeting the outcomes of the class and the degree. To this end all exams (in class or take home) are intended to represent the effort of the individual and not a group effort unless specifically stated otherwise.

Attendance
Policy:

Students are expected to attend all class sessions. Circumstances which prevent attendance will be honored up to two instances. Absences in excess of two times may result in a lower grade for the course. Contact the instructor when a special situation arises. All absences require that the instructor be informed in advance.

Students with Disabilities

Qualified students with documented disabilities who may need classroom accommodations should make an appointment with the Enhancement Program – Disability Services office during the first two weeks of the semester. Appointments can be made by calling 651-962-6315 or in person in O’Shaughnessy Educational Center, room 119.

Instructor Background:

Allen H. Aspengren is an environmental and safety expert who recently completed a 30-year career at 3M. He is currently consulting. At 3M, Aspengren held a variety of positions including international environmental manager and safety manager. Aspengren lived in Brussels for several years while heading 3M Europe's environmental health and safety efforts. He is an expert in 3M's Pollution Prevention Pays program, as well as sustainable development and life cycle management programs. He has experience in safety and various audit protocols and is a respected teacher, speaker and writer.

ETLS 677 Tentative Class Schedule Summer 2008
Session #	Topics
Class 1 May 22	Introduction of Class Overview of Course Overview of Sustainable Development (SD), Global Warming 101 and Climate Change History of Business and the Environment Overview of U. S. Regulations Clean Air Act Clean Water Act Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Foreign Relations Homework: Write paper on pros and cons of global warming Graduate Students – Start book selection. Book report due Week 7.
Class 2 May 29	Potential effects of global warming Sustainable Development Triangle Economy Environment Social Equity 4 Steps on Path of Sustainable Development Homework: Graduate – Explain where your company is on the path to sustainable development and why. Select book.
Class 3 June 5	Politics and global warming Religion and global warming Ethics and Sustainable Development Environmental Justice Issues Elements of Environmental Justice Homework: Graduate – Give three examples of an environmental justice issue, then explain which side you would take and why.
Class 4 June 12	Developing an Environmental Business Conscience Environmental Policies Pollution Control Devices Homework: Graduate – Revise your company’s environmental policy to reflect concerns for Sustainable Development.
Class 5 June 19	Environmental Management Systems and I.S.O. 14000 L.E.E.D. standards Homework: Graduate – Discuss the merits of having your company adopt I.S.O. 14000 and L.E.E.D. standards
Class 6 June 26	Tour – T.B.A. Homework: Graduate – Write trip report of tour. Complete book report. Study for exam.
Class 7 July 3	Mid-Term Exam – 1st book report due.
Class 8 July 10	Acquisitions, Divestitures, and Joint Ventures Issues Safety issues Homework: Graduate – Develop an office safety checklist for you company. Select book for second book report. Read the U.S. Energy Policy
Class 9 July 17	Energy Issues Homework: Graduate – How should the U.S. Energy Policy be improved? Discuss what the presidential candidates are doing about the energy policy.
Class 10 July 24	Public Relations and Sustainable Development Disclosure Brochures Partnership with Non-governmental Agencies (NGO’s) Homework: Graduate – Develop an outline for a disclosure brochure for your company.
Class 11 July 31	Waste Management Homework: Graduate – Conduct a Mini Waste Audit in your office or plant.
Class 12 Aug 7	What is a Sustainable Development Lifestyle? How can Communities use Sustainable Development? Case Studies of Sustainable Development Homework: Graduate – Research two case studies of Sustainable Development and explain what you learned from reading them.
Class 13 Aug 14	Sustainable Development and the Future 1. Scenario Projects 2. Focus on Sustainable Development Review of Course Material for Final Exam Homework: Graduate – Complete Term Paper, Book Report and prepare for Final Exam. Second book report due.
Class 14 Aug 21	Final Exam Turn in Term Paper

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ETLS 677 Sustainable Development Strategies

ETLS 677 Tentative Class Schedule