Gulf Scholars Curriculum

The Auburn Gulf Scholars Program curriculum is flexible, interdisciplinary and comprehensive. All Gulf Scholars classes count toward the Minor in Sustainability Studies, so students will be able to earn the minor while completing the Gulf Scholars Program. Program requirements are (1) SOCY 3600, (2) one Gulf elective or another Gulf learning experience, (3) a Gulf Impact Project, and (4) participation in extra-curricular activities.

Curriculum and Classes

1. SOCY 3600 Understanding Nature, Self and Society through Writing:
   
   SOCY 3600 will allow students to critically interrogate their relationship with nature and to examine the social dynamics that not only shape the meanings of nature, but also affect its processes and contemporary value. As the initial course in the program, it focuses on personal reflection, creative writing and growth to prepare students to become Gulf change agents. The course will allow students to reflect and evaluate their personal wellness, ethical and theoretical self through the lens of Gulf sustainability.
   
   
2. One Gulf Elective or an approved Gulf Learning Experience:
   
   Students may either chose a Gulf elective from the list below, or participate in a Gulf learning experience with approval of the GSP director (examples of potential learning experiences are an independent study class, research project, study at a satellite location, etc.).
   
   GSP Electives:
   
   
   • SUST 2000: Introduction to Sustainability
   • ANTH 4960: Water, Waste, and Tourism in Quintana Roo, Mexico (Study Abroad)
   • BUSI 3250: International Business
   • CIVL 4230: Urban Hydraulic System Design
   • CPLN 5020: Cities, Planning and Climate Change
   • CPLN 5040: Land Use Planning
   • CPLN 5060: Sustainable Transportation Planning
   • CPLN 5080: Affordable Housing Planning and Policy
   • CPLN 5110: Sustainable Urbanism and Growth Management
   • CPLN 5400: Historic Preservation Planning
   • ENGL 1120: English Composition II (only Prof. Matthew Spencer sections)
   • FISH 5220/6220: Water Science
   • GEOG 2100: Environmental Geology
   • HONR 1027: Honors Sustainability
   • JRNL 4850 -Reporting Social Issues of Change
   • NATR 5250 Wetland Ecology and Management
   • NATR 4535 Coastal Zone Management
   • PARK 4200: Nature, Recreation, and Health
   • POLI 2120: Cities and Urbanization
   • POLI 3250: Introduction to Public Administration
   • WILD 2050: Wildlife Conservation History and Law
   • WMST 3500: Gender, Beauty, and Culture
     
     
3. Gulf Impact Project: Students must complete a Gulf Impact Project with a community partner. This requirement is flexible, and students have four options to complete the project:

• • Enroll in the Gulf Impact Project class (SUST 5000) and complete the project in a studio/project-based setting.
  • Apply for and receive funding from the Auburn Undergraduate Research Fellowship and work with a faculty mentor and a community mentor to complete the project.
  • Complete the project in an existing thesis or capstone class in their major or in a different major, with permission of the instructor.
  • Complete an independent study course with a faculty mentor.

Extra-curricular and co-curricular activities.

One goal of the Gulf Scholars Program is to form a cohesive cohort of students working on coastal sustainability issues that will form lasting friendships and professional support networks. Students will be invited to participate in these activities at least once a month. Our preliminary schedule for 2024-25 is below: