Agenda 21, the degree

December 31, 2012

By John

The University of Wisconsin offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in “sustainable management.”  Students learn about sustainable development and the triple bottom line.  A triple bottom line is based on the following:

• Vibrant communities (People)
• A healthy environment (Planet)
• Strong profitability (Profit)

According to “Walking the Talk: The business Case for Sustainable Development:

Movement toward corporate concern for the "triple bottom line"—financial, social, and environmental performance—requires radical change throughout the corporation. It is not "either/or." The new paradigm is "and also." A sustainable business excels on the traditional scorecard of return on financial assets and shareholder and customer value creation. It also embraces community and stakeholder success. It holds its natural and cultural environments to be as precious as its technological portfolio and its employees’ skills.

Here is a list of the core curriculum for a Master’s Degree:

• SMGT 700 Cultural and Historical Foundations of Sustainability
• SMGT 710 The Natural Environment
• SMGT 720 Applied Research and the Triple Bottom Line
• SMGT 730 Policy, Law, and the Ethics of Sustainability
• SMGT 740 Economics of Sustainability
• SMGT 750 The Built Environment
• SMGT 760 Geopolitical Systems—Decision Making for Sustainability on the Local, State, and National Level
• SMGT 770 Leading Sustainable Organizations

Specialty Tracks (6 credits, choose 2)

• SMGT 780 Corporate Social Responsibility
• SMGT 782 Supply Chain Management
• SMGT 784 Sustainable Water Management
• SMGT 785 Waste Management and Resource Recovery

Capstone (4 credits total, both required)

• SMGT 790 Capstone Preparation Course
• SMGT 792 Capstone Project

For a taste of what one of these courses entails:

SMGT 710 The Natural Environment: Through case studies and some pre-reading, we will explore natural cycles, climate, water, energy, biosystems, ecosystems, the role of humans in the biosphere, and the human impacts on natural systems, with the carbon cycle as a unifying theme. Additionally, we will cover disturbance pollution and toxicity, carrying capacity, and natural capital.

All of this is straight Agenda 21 and is it any surprise its no surprise that its offered in the birthplace of the Progressive Movement, Wisconsin.   The program currently has partnerships with the following corporations:

• Eastman Kodak
• FedEx
• Ford Motor Company
• ISO, Inc.
• Johnson Controls
• Kohl’s
• Kranz, Inc.
• Modine Manufacturing
• Quad Graphics
• Racine Area Manufacturers and Commerce
• SC Johnson
• U-Fuel
• Veolia Environmental Services
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
• 3M

While I think very few people would disagree that we need to be good stewards of our planet, every bit of Agenda 21 is about control and reducing mankind’s footprint on the Earth.  You can read the original Agenda 21 document at: http://tavernkeepers.com/united-nations-agenda-21-official-document/

Source: http://sustain.wisconsin.edu/