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Sustainability in Brandenburg Study Programs. Perspectives for Anchoring Sustainability in Higher Education Curricula

Author

Listed:
  • Jennifer Maria Krah

    (Faculty of Landscape Management and Nature Conservation, Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, 16225 Eberswalde, Germany)

  • Julian Reimann

    (Faculty of Landscape Management and Nature Conservation, Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, 16225 Eberswalde, Germany)

  • Heike Molitor

    (Faculty of Landscape Management and Nature Conservation, Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, 16225 Eberswalde, Germany)

Abstract

The study investigates the extent to which sustainability is anchored in university curricula of a federal state (Brandenburg, Germany). (1) It provides a baseline for identifying opportunities for sustainability-related curriculum reform by analyzing study programs, levels and type of degree, level of anchoring, and context within the documents. (2) The case studies included an analysis and quantitative evaluation of 748 curricular documents. (3) A third of the study programs refer to sustainability; to an equal extent in both bachelor’s and master’s programs, and to an above-average extent in the fields of science and engineering. There is a strong commitment to sustainability in 12% of the curricula; however, it is strongly anchored in only 3% of study and examination regulations, and in only 9% of module descriptions. (4) For the first time, we have comprehensive results on sustainability in university curricula of an entire federal state and can discuss potentials for its further integration. The innovative method was developed out of the National Monitoring on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and adapted to the federal state level; the analysis of curricula through a wider set of variables is transferrable to other states. (5) The study provides indications for the regional development of universities which is crucial for future regional sustainability transformation.

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer Maria Krah & Julian Reimann & Heike Molitor, 2021. "Sustainability in Brandenburg Study Programs. Perspectives for Anchoring Sustainability in Higher Education Curricula," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-32, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:7:p:3958-:d:529105
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jeffrey D. Sachs & Guido Schmidt-Traub & Mariana Mazzucato & Dirk Messner & Nebojsa Nakicenovic & Johan Rockström, 2019. "Six Transformations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 2(9), pages 805-814, September.
    2. Jorrit Holst & Antje Brock & Mandy Singer-Brodowski & Gerhard de Haan, 2020. "Monitoring Progress of Change: Implementation of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) within Documents of the German Education System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-19, May.
    3. Carmen Solís-Espallargas & Jorge Ruiz-Morales & Dolores Limón-Domínguez & Rocío Valderrama-Hernández, 2019. "Sustainability in the University: A Study of Its Presence in Curricula, Teachers and Students of Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-14, November.
    4. Fermín Sánchez-Carracedo & Francisco Manuel Moreno-Pino & Bárbara Sureda & Miguel Antúnez & Ibon Gutiérrez, 2019. "A Methodology to Analyze the Presence of Sustainability in Engineering Curricula. Case of Study: Ten Spanish Engineering Degree Curricula," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-27, August.
    5. Lili-Ann Wolff & Peter Ehrström, 2020. "Social Sustainability and Transformation in Higher Educational Settings: A Utopia or Possibility?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-21, May.
    6. Lorenz Blume & Thomas Brenner & Guido Buenstorf, 2017. "Universities and sustainable regional development: introduction to the special issue," Review of Regional Research: Jahrbuch für Regionalwissenschaft, Springer;Gesellschaft für Regionalforschung (GfR), vol. 37(2), pages 103-109, October.
    7. Marie Weiss & Matthias Barth & Arnim Wiek & Henrik von Wehrden, 2021. "Drivers and Barriers of Implementing Sustainability Curricula in Higher Education - Assumptions and Evidence," Higher Education Studies, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 11(2), pages 1-42, June.
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    1. Jorrit Holst & Mandy Singer‐Brodowski & Antje Brock & Gerhard de Haan, 2024. "Monitoring SDG 4.7: Assessing Education for Sustainable Development in policies, curricula, training of educators and student assessment (input‐indicator)," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(4), pages 3908-3923, August.
    2. Daniel Schiller & Verena Radinger-Peer, 2021. "Introduction: The Role of Universities in Regional Transitions towards Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-4, July.

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