Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for ID 121 Winter 2025


Course Number:
ID 121
Course Title:
Sustainable Materials for Residential Interiors
Credit Hours:
3
Lecture Hours:
30
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Covers the environmental impact of materials used in residential interior design. Includes analysis and evaluation of materials based on multiple types of criteria and information. Prerequisites: ID 100, ID 131, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon completion of this course the student should be able to:

  1. Articulate the qualifications for materials to be labeled an environmentally low impact product. 
  2. Specify environmentally responsible products in interior projects.
  3. Develop resources of appropriate environmentally responsible products.
  4. Identify 'green wash' versus environmentally responsible products using critical thinking skills. 

Course Activities and Design

This course will be presented by means of lecture, discussion, field trips, guest speakers, and visuals. The student's grade will be determined by a combination of class assignments, testing, and class participation.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

  1. Research and write 2 or more papers that develop skills in evaluation, analysis, interpretation and comparison of topics similar or comparable to the following:
    • Compare typical/traditional interior products to comparable environmentally responsible substitutes
    • Work in teams to research, write a paper, and produce a 20 - 30 minute class presentation utilizing a summary handout, and visuals
  2. Attend and write 2 summary experience papers on professional development opportunities.
  3. Attend and write summary experience papers on field trip observations.
  4. Participate in, and contribute to, all class and team discussions, field trips, and class assignments.

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

COURSE CONTENT:

Skills:

The student will develop the following skills through this course:

  • Understand what makes a product environmentally responsible
  • Evaluate marketing strategies as to purpose and truthfulness in identifying 'green wash' products from environmentally responsible ones
  • Develop critical thinking skills in selecting and applying environmentally responsible products to appropriate interior application

The following Themes, Issues, and Concepts will have increased meaning to the student as a result of this course:

Themes

  • Environmental impact of manufacturing, distribution, installation and salvage of architectural and interior materials
  • Applicable use of third party certification

Issues

  • 'Green wash' versus environmentally responsible products
  • Selecting most appropriate products to situation

Concepts

  • Life cycle analysis
  • Third party certification of products
  • 'Green wash'
  • Critical analysis

Related Instruction

Computation
Hours: 10

Understand what qualifies a material to be labeled an environmentally low impact product.
 

Students estimate quantities of embodied energy within materials.

Students keep to a careful budget for the project; one that is established at the beginning of the term. This budget requires computation and estimating.

Communication
Hours: 20

Research, evaluate and apply environmentally responsible products to interior applications.
 

The majority of the course is team based learning. Students are divided into teams to create a design solution based on sustainable building practices. All work is done collaboratively. The project culminates with a team presentation.

Human Relations
Hours: 10

Develop critical thinking skills to identify 'green wash' versus environmentally responsible products.

Students engage in a close study of the impact material choices can have on local and global economies.

Criteria for selecting and specifying materials includes a "human factor" meaning how much impact the creation of certain materials has on various cultures.