Curriculum for the Bioregion Initiative
Big Ideas,
Learning Outcomes, Methods, and Skills
Relevant to a
Sustainability Course or Curriculum
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Systems Thinking Breakdown
Understanding how the world can be viewed as a series of
interconnected and interdependent systems is an important learning objective of
many college programs, but is especially critical in a sustainability course or
curriculum. What follows is an
incomplete listing of systems concepts relevant to sustainability.
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Adaptation |
Airshed |
Atmosphere |
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Baselines 12 |
Biogeochemical Cycles 13 |
Bioregion 14 |
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Biosphere |
Carrying Capacity 15 |
Chaos |
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Collapse 16 |
The Commons 17 |
Demographics |
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Differentiation |
Doubling Time |
Driving Forces |
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Dynamic |
Ecosystem |
Entropy |
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Equilibrium |
Exponential Growth |
Feedbacks 18 |
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Future Scenarios 19 |
Hierarchy |
Human/Nature Connection |
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Inputs/ Outputs/ Flux |
Interdependence |
Keystone Species |
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Limits |
Lithosphere |
Models |
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Networks |
Patterns |
Niche |
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Open/Closed |
Order |
Organization |
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Perturbation/Shock |
Populations |
Regulation |
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Resilience |
Scale (time/spatial) |
Scientific Method 20 |
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Self Correct |
Stakeholders |
Steady State |
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Thermodynamics |
Thresholds/ Tipping Point |
Trend 21 |
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Variability |
Vulnerability |
Watershed |
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A human
being is part of the whole, called by us the universe. A part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and
feelings, as something separate from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of
his consciousness. This delusion is a
kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to
affection for a few persons nearest to us.
Our
task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening
our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures. --- Albert Einstein |
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Have any problems
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Rob Turner at rturner@uwb.edu.