YAL1: Sustainability and Institutions – Enabling Innovation and Transformation

Hosted by Yale University
30 June – 9 August 2013

YAL1

Students doing a “waste audit” as part of the Sustainability Course

This course will explore the theory and application of the principles of sustainable development as it relates to institutional change, decision-making processes, and systems thinking. Throughout the semester we will explore the question of how organizations have the capacity to advance principles of sustainability. The first half of the course will explore the theoretical framework of sustainable development and organizational change. The second half will illustrate how to apply theory to practice drawing upon case examples from the literature and a focus on the Yale campus. Students will have a chance to learn from Yale’s sustainability commitment to: reduce greenhouse gas emissions, implement a transportation demand management system, serve “sustainable and local food” in the residential colleges, build “sustainable” buildings, integrate sustainability into the master plan framework, reduce waste and manage the urban campus via an ecosystem services framework. The case examples will give students a chance to experience and dig deep into the challenges and opportunities of organizational change management for sustainability.

More Course Details

Note: All course information is subject to change

What is the nature of the change required of an organization that commits to becoming sustainable?
What are the desired outcomes of a change management process for sustainability?
What are the key ingredients for driving change toward sustainability?
What are the organizational systems that need to be identified, engaged and reformed?

Required texts: [available at Yale Bookstore, online and/or on reserve]

Our Common Journey: A transition toward sustainability. (1999). The National Research Council. National Academy Press. Washington D.C.

Meadows, D. Wright, D. (editor). (2008). Thinking in Systems. Chelsea Green Publishing. VT.

McDonough, W. & Braungart, M.(2002) Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things, North Point Press.

Senge, P. et al. (2008). A necessary revolution: How individuals and organizations are working together to create a sustainable world. Doubleday. NY.

Harvard Business Review: Leading through Change. (2006). Harvard University Press. Cambridge, MA.

Field Trip

Boston and New York (related to the field of Sustainability).

Target Audience

As this course is multi-disciplinary in nature, undergraduate students from any field are welcomed to apply.

Learning Outcomes & Assessment

Learning Outcomes

Course Objectives:

To develop a foundational understanding of sustainability and the application to organizations
To learn how to assess and make recommendations for the application of sustainability principles to institutional systems.
To develop skills as an organizational change manager for sustainability

Assessment

Assessment

Midterm [written take home] 20%

Final project [final paper draft] 40% [10% first draft]

Presentation 15%

Ideas lab 15%

Class Participation 10%

Course Requirements:

Students are expected to attend all course meetings listed in the syllabus. Attendance will be taken and grades will be reduced, for any unexcused absences.

Contact hours: 32.5

Credit equivalent: 1 Yale credit

Accommodation

Please visit: http://summer.yale.edu/student-information/student-life/housing

Students must arrive by Sunday 30 June, 2013. Students will be able to check in between the hours of 12pm-6pm. Students must check out of the housing on Friday, 9 August, 2013 by 6pm. Students do not have the option to stay longer in the residential colleges (dorms).

GSP students will be housed in one of Yale’s undergraduate residential colleges. Colleges have its own courtyard, dining hall, common room, library, laundry facility, and computer cluster.

Room assignments are made upon check-in at the residential colleges. Because the dorms close at 6pm on Friday 9 August, past students have taken the train to New York City to sightsee for a few days. Union Station in New Haven easily connects to Grand Central Station in New York City.

Costs

Tuition fees	:	USD$ 1,650 This amount is after a 50% Yale Summer Session Tuition Scholarship
Accommodation including any deposits	:	USD$ 1,576 (est.) This amount is after a 50% sponsorship from Banco Santander, US Branch
Other deposits	:	N/A
Field Trip	:	N/A
Textbook Fees	:	USD$ 100 (est.)
Miscellaneous Fees	:	Visa SEVIS Fee: USD$ 200 Health Insurance Fees: Estimated: USD$ 185
Living Expenses	:	USD$ 100 per week depending on spending habits and frequency of eating outside the residential colleges.

FAQ

Can I participate in more than one GSP course at your University, concurrently?
Students are not advised to take a second summer session course because there is a program of activities that goes along with the GSP program, and taking a second course may interfere with required activities and the research component of the GSP program.
If I am accepted, when will I receive more course details, such as course content, reading lists, timetables, payment schedule & cancellation policies, campus maps and other logistics details?
Upon acceptance into the program, the GSP coordinator from Yale will send an e-mail with detailed instructions on how to register for the course at Yale, obtain the visa, and other important steps prior to arrival. It is utmost important that students provide us with an e-mail address they will regularly check in order to receive the time sensitive information.
Will I have access to student facilities such as computer labs, libraries and health services at the hosting university?
Participants of the GSP will receive a Yale student ID which will be active for the 6 weeks of the program. This will give students access to computer labs (located in the residential colleges) and the libraries. Students are also required to purchase health insurance for the 6 weeks of the program which covers them for major medical issues (hospitalization). Students are able to visit the Yale Health Center if they have any minor medical issues while on campus. Students should consult the health insurance plan (HTH Worldwide) for more information about what the coverage includes and what they may need to pay out of pocket for.
Will I need a visa to attend this GSP course?
If you are not a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident, then "yes" you need a visa to study at Yale during the summer. Students should plan to study on an F-1 student visa. You may not attend the program on a tourist visa.

Once you are accepted into the GSP and receive your I-20 (enclosed in the acceptance packet) by mail, make an appointment at the US embassy in your home country. You will need to get your visa before the program begins in New Haven. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT STUDENT VISAS in the United States.
Will this program help my English language studies?
This GSP course is not a course designed to improve your English skills. For students whose native language is not English, do not expect the course work to improve your English, but use this experience as a chance to practice your skills. Students should have an advanced level of English language skills.
What should I do while I am in New Haven?
Take time to explore New Haven while you are here! You can take the train to New York City, take a bus to Boston, and New Haven has many local attractions!
How can we interact with other participants and GSP alumni before the course?
Please visit our GSP Facebook page and join the various events groups to meet informally with other GSP participants as well as alumni. Your may also post questions to course coordinators on the FB Wall.

You can direct your questions about course credits and scholarships to your home institutions. More details about the application process and deadlines will be available in the "How to Apply" page.

Further Information

Upon acceptance, students will be required to fill out a Yale Summer Session application. Information will be sent to accepted students.

For further information, please visit http://summer.yale.edu.