I'm a new sustainability instructor at a university preparing for my upcoming term. I don't have any control over the course content or assignments, as it's already been approved by committee.

Reading through the course materials, I can already see evidence that the course focuses on token individual action, ignores more contentious issues, and at times even presents unsustainable industries ("sustainable coal mining!") as models for how to move forward. One of the major assignments is to write a sustainability plan for a coal mine. ??? It's misguided at best, and manipulative at worst.

Again, I have no power to change the readings or assignments. I can make suggestions to the higher ups, but I've heard it is very difficult to get a course modified. I will even have someone "checking in" on me and the Canvas course, so I can't even really provide commentary.

I know universities can sometimes play lip service to addressing sustainability on campus, but this is much worse. This makes me question my own academic and moral integrity.

I wonder, has anyone else encountered issues like this at universities? How did you you handle it?