University of the Pacific
AC-5: Immersive Experience

- Pacific Seminar I and II are required for all incoming Freshman. Their first semester, they take a PACS I class in which students study through different lenses, including that of sustainability, "What is a Good Society?" This is followed by a PACS II course that varies in topics, but are all created on the foundation of answering this continued question and work to gain a deeper insight into the social, economic and environmental dimensions of today's current society and their link to sustainability that is needed in order to prosper. Some PACS II courses have a community based learning component, which asks the students to work with individuals or agencies in the local community related to their topic. - Ted and Chris Robb Garden: Students work to prepare, maintain, manage and develop the garden. Length of program is dependent upon the student, but usually lasts for one semester or all year. Through the garden, each one learns of the social, environmental and economic struggles of today. Assisting in the production of small scale farming and producing organic food, each are faced with questions in regards to conventional trading system and agricultural system and its juxtaposition to USA citizens and their (lack of) connection to food. - Students intern with Sustaining Pacific for credit on projects or research as needed. Interns have completed a variety of projects, with many of them requiring the intern to coordinate and communicate with community agencies. A recent project inventoried water fountains across campus, analyzed the data and put forth recommendations on hydro station retrofits based on four criteria points.

http://www.pacific.edu/Academics/Majors-and-Programs/General-Education-Program.html - link to PACS I and II courses.