ESS503 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Course Objectives

The aim of this Sustainable Development course is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the necessity for sustainable development while encouraging an exploration of solutions for a future that is better for people and the planet. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has an important role in the course that is reiterated throughout the semester based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A multidisciplinary approach that involves perspectives on the connections between the goals is emphasized on a regular basis. The course initiates with an introductory interactive session based on the SDGs Global Dashboard and continues with related presentations on dimensions of sustainability with examples. The need for addressing climate change is underlined and the use of multiple indicators to benchmark and measure sustainability is shared. Recent reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is undertaken with connections to sustainability. The course involves diverse thematic presentations involving aspects of urban planning and sustainability, renewable energy systems, water-energy-food-nexus, urban transport, health, and social impacts of climate change. The course expectations include weekly sharing of references with discussion as well as a report and presentation based on individual research interests with comparisons to related topic clusters. The final exam will that focus on the most important information in the main themes. The course concludes with an overview of the importance of multidisciplinary approaches as well as R&D and partnership for the SDGs.

Key Course Objectives:

• Provide a comprehensive understanding of the necessity for sustainable development
• Encourage an exploration of solutions for a better future based on research interests
• Advance research and communication skills through weekly discussions and sharing
• Utilization and application of the developed skills within a report and presentation 

Course Content

To review core concepts and history of sustainable development; to introduce student to innovative frameworks to sustainable development, including institutional analysis, common-pool resource management, and the often overlooked cultural and psychological underpinnings of environmental decision-making; to examine policy responses to environmental problems caused by economic development; to analyze social case studies and examples through the frameworks presented; to provide a forum for graduate students to present their own research interests and examples regarding sustainable development.

Course Learning Outcomes

A focus on sustainable development in the context of climate change is relevant for decision and action across all disciplines. The importance of multi-disciplinary approaches and interaction is emphasized while engaging in challenge-based approaches in areas of research interest towards sustainability.