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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) a zero-credit class - SUST 4600, (2) one Gulf issues class; and (3) one Gulf Impact Project.

Requirement #1: Zero-credit Class

SUST 4600, zero credits - Gulf Scholars Program (Gulf field trip, Gulf workshop, and extra-curricular activites)

Requirement #2: Gulf Issues Class

Choose one of the following:

  1. SOCY 3600: Nature, Self, and Society (students reflect on and increase their motivations for and awareness of Gulf coast sustainability issues).

  2. SUST 2000: Introduction to Sustainability (provides examples and information about Gulf coast sustainability issues throughout the class).

  3. POLI 5400: Nonprofits and Resilient Communities (students learn about resiliency in the public sector).

  4. NATR 5450: Coastal Law (Course will provide students with an understanding of the principles of coastal and ocean law and policy).

Requirement #3: Gulf Impact Project

For Gulf Impact Projects, students must work with a community to complete a Gulf-related project in any discipline. Students can choose one of the following:

  1. Expand on a class project to develop a Gulf Impact Project. Students will need to work with their class professor and the GSP Director to make sure the class project can count for both the class requirements and the Gulf Impact Project. Some examples include:

    • SUST 5000: Sustainability Capstone (students complete an interdisciplinary sustainability capstone project with a community partner).

    • POLI 5160: Resiliency for Public and Nonprofit Institutions (students write a resiliency assessment for a Gulf Coast community or organization).

    • POLI 5140: Public Service and Social Justice (students complete a social impact analysis for a project in a Gulf coast community).

    • NATR 4535 Coastal Zone Management (varies by semester, students must check with the instructor to make sure it counts as a Gulf Impact Project).

    • A project from another Gulf-focused class (students must check with the instructor and the GSP director to make sure it counts as a Gulf Impact Project)

  2. Other Gulf Impact Project outside of class: Students can complete a Gulf Impact project outside of a class, such as working with a faculty member, a Gulf internship, or a research fellowship. Students in the Coastal Management Minor can complete a Gulf-related project with a faculty member while attending classes at Dauphin Island Sea Lab.