Table 4.

Typology of course disciplinarity

Course characteristicsNatural scienceInterdisciplinarySocial science
Key topics
  • Climate science

  • Systems thinking

  • Water/carbon cycles

  • Biomimicry

  • Carbon foot-printing

  • Circular economy

  • ESG principles

  • Green infrastructure

  • Industrial ecology

  • Life cycle analysis (LCA)

  • Natural capitalism

  • Product stewardship

  • The natural step

  • Tragedy of the commons

  • UN SDGs

  • Benefit corporations

  • Business ethics

  • Corporate responsibility

  • Creating shared value

  • Greenwashing

  • Stakeholder theory

General businessEstablishes climate science and ecological fundamentals as basis for business impact assessmentConnects business impacts to environment/society through circular models, systems thinking and biomimicryExamines sustainability through corporate ESG/CSR program analysis
Narrow functionFocuses on systems thinking, climate theories or specific areas like energyIntegrates systems thinking with climate science and investor preferences for ESG investingTeaches ESG performance measurement through functional business lenses (finance, accounting, marketing, etc)

Source(s): Table created by authors

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