The Science and Practice of Sustainable Development

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Free Online Course: The Science and Practice of Sustainable Development provided by edX is a comprehensive online course, which lasts for 11 weeks long, 8-10 hours a week. The course is taught in English and is free of charge. Upon completion of the course, you can receive an e-certificate from edX. The Science and Practice of Sustainable Development is taught by Jodie Curth-Bibb, Mark Moran and Saleem H. Ali.

Overview
  • This course is part of the Leadership in Global Development MicroMasters program. In order to get the most out of this course, we recommend that you have experience working in the development sector or a strong interest in this area. We also recommend that you complete the other three courses that make up the Leadership in Global Development MicroMasters program: Leaders in Global Development, Adaptive Leadership in Development, and Critical Development Perspectives.

    This course introduces the origin and key concepts of sustainability and how to apply those to sustainable development practice.

    Sustainable development will be explored through theories and case studies from a range of disciplines, and a particular focus will be on how the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) interrelate in practice. You also will learn about planetary boundaries, urbanisation and growing inequality, to show how integral sustainable development is to our everyday existence.

    This course will attempt to provide key content knowledge to bridge the science and the practice of the application and enhancement of sustainable development. The course draws on contemporary examples to address the world's most urgent challenges, with emphasis on the linkages between science and policy.

Syllabus
  • Module 1 - The History and Politics of Sustainable Development

    Module 2 - The Science of Sustainable Development

    Module 3 - Introduction to the SDG agenda

    Module 4 - Critical Perspectives, Complexity and Indigenous Knowledges

    Module 5 - Sustainable Development Goals 17 & 16: Partnerships, finance, technologies and institutions, the frameworks for enabling the SDGs

    Module 6 - Sustainable Development Goals 13 & 7: Climate action, affordable and clean energy and the interconnections

    Module 7 - Sustainable Development Goals 3, 5 & 6: Health, wellbeing, gender equality and clean water and sanitation

    Module 8 - Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2 & 10: No Poverty, zero hunger and reduced inequalities

    Module 9 - Sustainable Development Goals 12, 14 & 15: Responsible consumption and production, life below water and life on land

    Module 10 - Sustainable Development Goals 8, 9, 4 & 11: Decent work and economic growth, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Quality Education and Sustainable Cities and Communities