Time Schedule:
Martin D Westerman
MGMT 490
Seattle Campus
Topics of current interest to faculty and students. Offered when allowed by faculty availability and sufficient student interest. Content announced in advance of scheduled offerings.
Class description
MGMT 490 / Sustainable Business covers restructuring the thinking, operations, products and services offered by organizations of every size, so they can become more ecologically-efficient, and create less negative impacts on the planet which support them.
Student learning goals
Understand the following concepts and how to apply them: . life cycle assessment; . whole systems thinking and design; . cradle to cradle thinking and design; . ecosystem serviced valuation; . ecological economics; . triple bottom line accounting.
Learn the elements of a business case, and how to make the "business case" for sustainable operation
How to find internships, jobs, and entrepreneurial opportunities in the sustainable business area, through published sources, networking events, and contacts
How to lead, participate and advocate in this area
Familiarity with leaders, publications and terms in this area
General method of instruction
This will not feel like a conventional class, with its participatory nature, critical thinking, discussion, group work, field trips, movies, readings and lectures. However, certain conventions apply. Students must complete readings, file book reports, and prepare papers and a project.
Recommended preparation
Begin reading the McDonnough & Braungart book, Cradle to Cradle, as preparation for this course.
Class assignments and grading
Assignments are designed to take students from what they know to what they imagine is possible in a step by step process. They start from life cycle assessment, proceed through whole systems, cradle to cradle, ecological economics, ecosystem service valuation, triple bottom line accounting, into applications of these principles. Half of assignments are credit-no credit, half are graded.
Assignments are listed in the syllabus and repeated by Westerman in class.
Grading is based upon: . demonstration of critical thinking . understanding of principles covered . expanded sense of perspective . literate writing
