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

*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 in each department and Continuing Education will count towards the Sustainability minor electives, as determined each semester by the Interdisciplinary Studies Director and Department Chairs.

See Liberal Arts and Sciences Department for course descriptions.

Sustainability Electives

The following departments offer courses that focus on Sustainability:
Architecture/Landscape/Interiors
Continuing Education
Creative Action
Fashion Design 
Foundation
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Product Design 
Public Practice
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 as Foundation Students in 2012-13 (class of 2016):
Sustainability Minor Academic Plan 12-13
For Students who entered Otis as Foundation Students in 2013-14 (class of 2017):
Sustainability Minor Academic Plan 13-14
For students who entered Otis as Foundation Students in 2014-15 (class of 2018) and 2015-16 (class of 2019):
Sustainability Minor Academic Plan 14-15 and 15-16

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.

Learn more about Interdisciplinary Studies, eligibility requirements, and the application process.