Study Sustainability in New Zealand

As a part of its ongoing efforts to internationalize its curriculum, the College of Business seeks to offer Butler University courses taught by Butler University faculty at international locations. This year, we will offer SW221:  Sustainability in Institutions at Auckland, New Zealand, hosted by one of our partner institutions, Auckland University of Technology. Sustainability in New Zealand is a unique interdisciplinary, seminar- and discussion-style, site-based course on Sustainability.

SW221:  Sustainability in Institutions

There is an emerging body of thought that argues that institutions of all sorts, including but not limited to businesses, in order to be successful in the long run need to take into account economic performance, environmental impacts, and social justice. The course will explore what these concepts mean and the challenge of implementing a workable integration of these concepts. This offering of the course will seek to take advantage of the course's location in Auckland, New Zealand.

The class sessions will begin in Auckland on May 15, 2012 and will conclude on May 31, 2012. Students will make their own travel arrangements and may choose to arrive before classes begin or depart after they conclude.

While Sustainability in Institutions is offered by the Butler University College of Business, the course is designed for any student major on campus and is approved for the Social World credit of the Butler University Core Curriculum. Students in the College of Business may take the course as a Liberal Arts Elective. They may also take the course as a Business elective if they complete a supplemental business assignment.

Site-based instruction means that we will use Auckland's resources to explore the issues related to Sustainability. We will have supplement morning class sessions with site-visits relevant to class instruction.

Class meetings will be held from 9:00-12:00 on Monday through Thursday, beginning on May 15 and concluding on May 31 in facilities provided by Auckland University of Technology. Classes will be supplemented by excursions and site visits. Students will have the weekends to engage in personal travel at their option and expense or to explore Auckland in more depth.

We will stay in a YMCA or youth hostel or comparable location recommended by AUT in the vicinity of AUT.  Lodging costs are included in the excursion fee.

Enrollment is limited to 20 students. Interested students are encouraged to submit their application and deposit as early as possible. When the course fills, students whose applications are not accepted will receive a full refund of their deposits.  Enrollment preference will be given to Butler students. Under Butler University policy, courses must achieve a minimum enrollment of 8 students. If the enrollment minimums are not met, all deposits will be refunded.

All undergraduate students who are interested in the concepts behind Sustainability of Institutions should enroll. The course is intended to accommodate and interest students in all majors at Butler.

The course will be dual listed as SW221 and LE495. Students may earn three hours of credit counting toward the Social World Core Curriculum requirement. Students of the College of Business (who are exempt from the Social World requirement) can take the course as a Liberal Arts elective or as a COB Elective.

To receive course credit students must first be admitted to the program by completing an application and an enrollment form.

The program fee is estimated to be $2600, contingent upon enrollment of a minimum of eight students. This fee includes:

• Butler University tuition for 3 credit hours.
• Lodging while in Auckland.
• Field trip expenses for the planned excursions.

Each participant is responsible for the following additional expenses:

• Passport and/or visa.
• Transportation to, from, and in Auckland.
• Personal, non-required travel, before, during or after the study abroad program.
• All meals.
• Incidental living expenses.

Contact Bob Bennett at rbennett@butler.edu or (317) 940-9502 to set up a 15 minute appointment. To sign up, complete an application. Applications must be accompanied by a deposit of $500 in the form or a check or money order made payable to Butler University.