Introduction to Sustainable Development-E2
| Numbering Code | U-LAS61 10014 LE17 | Year/Term | 2022 ・ First semester |
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| Number of Credits | 2 | Course Type | Lecture |
| Target Year | Mainly 1st & 2nd year students | Target Student | For all majors |
| Language | English | Day/Period | Thu.2 |
| Instructor name |
MCLELLAN，Benjamin (Graduate School of Energy Science Professor) TRENCHER, Gregory (Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies Associate Professor) |
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| Outline and Purpose of the Course |
Sustainable development tries to satisfy people's present needs while maintaining the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It also requires a triple focus on environmental, economic and social aspects. In this course we will explore how nations can balance growth with environmental health. After studying about various sustainability challenges such as climate change, plastic waste, agriculture, health/diets, energy and social capital, students will develop their own development project proposals. |
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| Course Goals | Students will gain an understanding of the core principles of sustainable development and their application through global and local case studies. At the conclusion of the course students will present their own development project proposals to the class. | ||
| Schedule and Contents |
This course will cover the following topics: 1.Introduction: Definition and principles of sustainable development (Trencher/McLellan) 2.Climate change: The science and surprising impacts (Trencher) 3.Plastic waste crisis in the oceans (Trencher) 4.Diets for a sustainable planet (Trencher) 5.Case studies in Japan and around the world - guest speakers (Trencher) 6.Sustainable road transport: The road to electrification (Trencher) 7.Natural capital (water and other resources, ecosystem services) (McLellan) 8.Social capital (stakeholders, cultural sustainability) (McLellan) 9.Energy issues (McLellan) 10.Business, trade and globalization, global treaties and climate change (McLellan) 11.Case studies in Japan and around the world - guest speakers (McLellan) 12.Proposal preparation (Trencher/McLellan) 13.Student development proposals (Trencher /McLellan) 14.Student development proposals and conclusion (Trencher /McLellan) Each of the above topics typically covers 1 class week. Specific topics may change. The course overall consists of 14 classes and one feedback session. |
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| Evaluation Methods and Policy |
Individual components: 1. Attendance and participation: 25% 2. In-class exercises and short assignments: 25% Groupwork components 3. Project outline: 5% 4. Final presentations 20% 5. Final report: 25% Standard scoring scale (0-100) will be applied |
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| Course Requirements |
Enthusiasm about the topic and willingness to share ideas in class. Must be willing to discuss in English with classmates, and to contribute to group assignments. |
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| Study outside of Class (preparation and review) | Final presentation requires students to spend time out of class hours in preparation. | ||
| References, etc. |
The Post Carbon Reader: Managing the 21st Century's Sustainability Crises, Richard Heinberg, Daniel Lerch, (Watershed Media), ISBN:978-0-9709500-6-2, Not compulsory, but highly recommended. Silent Spring, Rachel Carson The Population Bomb, Paul Ehrlich Cannibals with Forks, John Elkington The Bottom Billion, Paul Collier Collapse, Jared Diamond The Limits to Growth , Meadows, Meadows and Randers The Coal Question , Jevons, https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/jevons-the-coal-question An Essay on the Principle of Population, Thomas Malthus, http://www.esp.org/books/malthus/population/malthus.pdf Beyond Growth, Herman Daly |
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| Related URL |
http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/human-development-index-hdi https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/?menu=1300 |
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