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Sustainability in Higher Education: Perceptions of Social Responsibility among University Students

Author

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  • Younghan Jung

    (Department of Engineering Technology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA)

  • Kayoung Park

    (Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA)

  • Junyong Ahn

    (Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA)

Abstract

Many construction-related training and education programs in the United States have now embraced the concept of sustainability, offering sustainable construction courses that highlight sustainable design and construction practices. These courses have mainly focused on green building strategies for the design and construction of built environments and indoor environmental quality necessary for students’ knowledge enhancement and career development. This study examined the effect of sustainability course on students’ knowledge as well as their perceptions of social responsibility and sustainable behaviors. Data were collected by conducting a survey from construction related programs in U.S. universities. Students were categorized based on their experience of taking such course(s), and results were compared in terms of their environmental concerns, objective and subjective knowledge, and sustainable consumer behaviors by conducting independent two-sample t -tests. The purpose of this study was to examine sustainable behaviors and social responsibility perceptions among U.S. university students enrolled in construction-related courses. The results indicated that environmental concern and sustainable consumer behavior scores were significantly lower among students who had taken the course than those who had not. Both objective and subjective knowledge scores were relatively low. There was no difference between the two groups in objective knowledge scores and unexpectedly, subjective knowledge was significantly lower among students who had taken the course than those who had not. The findings of this study provide implications for sustainability curriculum development that can enhance students’ learning experience.

Suggested Citation

  • Younghan Jung & Kayoung Park & Junyong Ahn, 2019. "Sustainability in Higher Education: Perceptions of Social Responsibility among University Students," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:8:y:2019:i:3:p:90-:d:212721
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Sharifah Nurlaili Farhana Syed Azhar & Noor Adelyna Mohammed Akib & Suzyrman Sibly & Saidatulakmal Mohd, 2022. "Students’ Attitude and Perception towards Sustainability: The Case of Universiti Sains Malaysia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-17, March.
    2. Ghulam Jilani & Guangqin Yang & Irfan Siddique, 2021. "Corporate Social Responsibility and Pro-Environmental Behavior of the Individuals from the Perspective of Protection Motivation Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-20, December.
    3. Magdalena Celadyn, 2020. "Integrative Design Classes for Environmental Sustainability of Interior Architectural Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-18, September.
    4. Miguel Leiva-Brondo & Natalia Lajara-Camilleri & Anna Vidal-Meló & Alejandro Atarés & Cristina Lull, 2022. "Spanish University Students’ Awareness and Perception of Sustainable Development Goals and Sustainability Literacy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-26, April.
    5. Raul Oltra-Badenes & Vicente Guerola-Navarro & José-Antonio Gil-Gómez & Dolores Botella-Carrubi, 2023. "Design and Implementation of Teaching–Learning Activities Focused on Improving the Knowledge, the Awareness and the Perception of the Relationship between the SDGs and the Future Profession of Univers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-20, March.
    6. Zaloa Aginako & Teresa Guraya, 2021. "Students’ Perception about Sustainability in the Engineering School of Bilbao (University of the Basque Country): Insertion Level and Importance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-20, August.

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