Recognizing the innovative role artists and designers can play in solving pressing challenges, the Sustainability Minor provides students with a broad understanding of the social, political, economic and environmental issues that impact the future of humanity and our planet. Students will study and develop strategies and systems, as applicable to art and design, which can meet the needs of current generations without compromising those of future generations. Courses fulfill requirements in Integrated Learning and Liberal Arts and Sciences, as well as electives across all studio departments.
Eligibility
The Sustainability minor is open to all majors. Fashion Design and Toy Design must take Sustainability electives in their home department in order to complete this minor while fulfilling their major requirements.
Required Courses
| CAIL201 | Human Ecology | 3.0 |
| NSCI305 | Science and Sustainable Design | 3.0 |
| LIBS441 | Sustainability Capstone* | 3.0 |
| Sustainability electives** | 6.0 | |
| Total Credits | 15.0 |
*Fine Arts majors will take Sustainability Capstone in place of LAS Upper Division elective in order to also fulfill the Fine Arts Capstone/Senior Thesis requirement.
**A minimum of 6 credits of Sustainability Electives are required, including at least 4 studio credits. A limited choice of CAIL, LAS and Studio courses offered by various major departments and Extension will count towards the Sustainability minor electives, as determined each semester by the Interdisciplinary Studies Director and Department Chairs.
Core Course Descriptions are listed in the Creative Action and Liberal Arts and Sciences sections of the Course Catalog.
Sustainability Electives
The following departments offer courses that focus on Sustainability:
Architecture/Landscape/Interiors
Creative Action
Extension
Fashion Design
Foundation
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Product Design
Toy Design
Download one of the following PDFs to see how the Sustainability minor requirements fit into your chosen major
For students who entered Otis College as Foundation students in 2015-16 (class of 2019):
Sustainability Minor Academic Plan 15-16
For students who entered Otis College as Foundation students in 2016-17 (class of 2020):
Sustainability Minor Academic Plan 16-17
For students who entered Otis College as Foundation students in 2017-18 (class of 2021):
Sustainability Minor Academic Plan 17-18
For students who entered Otis College as Foundation students in 2018-19 (class of 2022):
Sustainability Minor Academic Plan 18-19
Learn more about Interdisciplinary Studies, eligibility requirments, and the application process.
Course Proposals
Faculty members who are interested in proposing new courses or tagging existing courses as Sustainability Electives must complete the Sustainability Checklist and submit it to the Interdisciplinary Studies Director. (PDF) Proposals for Sustainability Electives are due March 15 for Fall courses and October 15 for Spring courses.