TY  - JOUR
AU  - Lengyel, Attila
AU  - Szőke, Szilvia
AU  - Kovács, Sándor
AU  - Dávid, Lóránt Dénes
AU  - Bácsné Bába, Éva
AU  - Müller, Anetta
TI  - Assessing the essential pre-conditions of an authentic sustainability curriculum
JF  - INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABILITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION
J2  - INT J SUSTAIN HIGH EDUC
VL  - 20
PY  - 2019
IS  - 2
SP  - 309
EP  - 340
PG  - 32
SN  - 1467-6370
DO  - 10.1108/IJSHE-09-2018-0150
UR  - https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/30683291
ID  - 30683291
AB  - Abstract
Purpose – This study has two aims. It aims to analyse three essential pre-conditions of an authentic
sustainability curriculum (ASC). The theoretical analysis involves the definition of authenticity through the
learning outcomes (LOs) framework called authentic minimum (AM). This paper also aims to gauge students’
views on economic growth, sustainability and mindfulness.
Design/methodology/approach – The theoretical aim was accomplished by extensive study of and
critical reflections on the relevant literature. The empirical research was qualitative using an online questionnaire
as survey instrument consisting of predominantly open-ended questions involving students of two economic
faculties. Directed content analysis and nonparametric quantitative methods were used to assess the answers.
Findings – Viable sustainability goals are in stark contrast with the promotion of sustainable economic
growth in sustainable development goals 8 and the reigning neoliberal agenda. The empirical findings
provide valuable insights into how undergraduate students view mindfulness, economic growth and aspects
of sustainability.
Research limitations/implications – The empirical research has some obvious limitations that warrant
caution in generalizing the results. The authors used a sample of convenience and the base population of the
survey consisted only in students of economics in two economic faculties of two Hungarian universities.
Practical implications – Practical implications of the present paper are many all sharing; however, the
need for existential courage on the part of teachers, students and leaders of higher education institutions.
Existential courage is required for profound personal transformation, for going against mainstream ideology
and the possible confrontations with colleagues, leaders of institutions, students, friends or family members.
Authentic
sustainability
curriculum
Received 8 September 2018
Revised 4 February 2019
9 March 2019
12 March 2019
Accepted 15 March 2019
International Journal of
Sustainability in Higher Education
© Emerald Publishing Limited
1467-6370
DOI 10.1108/IJSHE-09-2018-0150
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/1467-6370.htm
Downloaded by Doctor Attila Lengyel At 02:23 21 May 2019 (PT)
Originality/value – On the theoretical side, the concept of ASC was introduced with AM as its LOs
framework. For the first time, an attempt was made to interpret authenticity in sustainability education as an
integration of mindfulness, human and environmental ethics and a firm opposition to economic growth and
neoliberal ideals. The analysis of qualitative data supported earlier research and also provided unique
findings in the examined areas.
Keywords Economic growth, Sustainability education, Authenticity in higher education,
Ethics in higher education, Mindfulness in higher education, Neoliberal ideals
LA  - English
DB  - MTMT
ER  -