EME 466
Energy and Sustainability in Society

Welcome

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Instructor

Ed Pinero, Adjunct Instructor, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University. 

Email: Please use Canvas Inbox for all email inquiries about the class. If you don't hear from me within 24 hours (be it email, submission comment or discussion forum post, etc.) please email me directly at ekp5308@psu.edu because maybe I've missed your initial inquiry somehow.

Office Hours: Please contact me if you'd like to schedule a call or a Zoom meeting. I am happy to accommodate your schedule.

Overview

EME 466 is a required course for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in Energy Sustainability and Policy. It is the Capstone course for students nearing completion of an Energy and Sustainability Policy degree. It provides a culminating experience in the form of an individualized capstone project with structured, well-defined deliverables. The topic of study (subject matter for the capstone project) is selected by the student and subject to the instructor's approval. Course materials provide detailed guidance for topic consideration and selection.

wind turbine on sunny day with flowers in the foreground

Unit 1: Defining Sustainability and Cultivating a Sustainability World View

In this first unit, we'll take a closer look at the definitions of sustainabilty, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and reflect on your own experiences and understanding that are shaping your developing sustainability world view. We'll also begin to solidify your topic for the capstone project.

People gathered collaboratively around a computer with notebooks and pens

Unit 2: Establishing and Fostering Partnerships

We could argue that this is the most critical piece to the success of your project this semester. Establishing and maintaining partnerships not just with your Community Partner, but other stakeholders and citizens will be vital. Sustainability is inherently collaborative. We're all in this together.

dry erase board with very detailed schedule of the completion of a project - a big to do list

Unit 3: Project Development

We'll spend most of Unit 3 chugging through your project itself. You'll be working hard during this time to research and produce deliverables for your Community Partner, as outlined earlier in the semester.

a protester's sign which reads, "Ask not what your planet can do for you, ask what you can do for your planet"

Unit 4: Pulling it All Together

You've worked hard this semester, and that will all become apparent as you put the finishing touches on both your deliverables for your Community Partner and your Final Capstone Portfolio itself. You'll be asked to think reflectively about both the project and your evolving sustainability world view as the semester closes.

This course is offered as part of the Repository of Open and Affordable Materials at Penn State. You are welcome to use and reuse materials that appear on this site (other than those copyrighted by others) subject to the licensing agreement linked to the bottom of this and every page.

Want to join us? Students who register for this Penn State course gain access to assignments and instructor feedback and earn academic credit. Official course descriptions and curricular details can be reviewed in the University Bulletin.