Sustainable Development (taught as Study Abroad course)

Abstract

This course introduces students to the major perspectives on development theory and practice from a sociological and an ecological perspective. The focus is on exploring specific sustainable development initiatives and how those connect to the United Nations Global Sustainable Development Goals for 2015-2030 (known also as SDGs or “The Global Goals”)....

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Development, Environmental Sociology, Public Policy, Social Change, Teaching and Learning in Sociology

Resource Type(s):

Syllabus

Class Level(s):

College 300, College 400

Class Size(s):

Small

Usage Notes

The itinerary file includes the program for the two pre-departure workshops and the 12-day trip to Bulgaria.

The "Extended Usage Notes: Advice for First Time Study Abroad Faculty Leaders" file includes lessons learned from our experience with the preparation and implementation of our Sustainable Development Study Abroad Program in Bulgaria,...

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Understand the meaning of different sociological and ecological theories and approaches to (sustainable) development.
2. Understand why an interdisciplinary framework is important for examining sustainable development initiatives.
3. Apply an interdisciplinary socio-economic and ecological framework to understanding development approaches in Bulgaria.
4. Analyze reports on progress towards the Global Goals.
5. Evaluate Bulgaria’s progress towards the Global Goals.

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Pre-Essay on “What is sustainable development and why should I care?” (LGs 1 & 2).
2. Post-Essay on “What did my study abroad in Bulgaria teach me about sustainable development?” (LGs 1, 2 & 3).
3. Carbon Footprint Estimate for the 12-day trip (LGs 2 & 3).
4. Travel Journal describing the daily events and reflecting on connections between those events, the Global Goals and assigned readings ( All LGs).
5. Student Presentation on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (one goal per student) including the goal's targets and indicators, progress towards achieving the goal, and actions that students can take to support the goal (LGs 3, 4 & 5).