Introduction to Sustainable Development-E2
| Numbering Code | U-LAS61 10014 LE17 | Year/Term | 2022 ・ Second 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 |
TRENCHER, Gregory (Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies Associate Professor) MCLELLAN，Benjamin (Graduate School of Energy Science 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. | ||
| 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 sustainable development project proposals to the class, applying a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) approach to determine the best approach for addressing specific societal and environmental problems. | ||
| Schedule and Contents |
This course will cover the following topics (and may change if required): 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) 15. Feedback |
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| Evaluation Methods and Policy |
Individual components 1.Attendance and participation: 15% 2.In-class exercises and short assignments: 35% Group-work components 3.Group project proposal outline (1 page) 5% 4.Final group presentation: 25% 5.Final group report: 20% |
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| Course Requirements |
- Participation is required. This is not just attendance - it means joining the conversation. If you must miss a class, explain reason to instructor. Come on time (2 lates = 1 absent). - Come to class prepared. Read the chapters or articles to be covered before class. Be ready to discuss your ideas. Files will generally be uploaded to the PandA site before class. - Complete assignments on time. Assignments must be handed in on their due dates and by the due time. If an extension is needed, you must talk with the instructor in advance. All written work must be original to receive credit. |
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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.
A reading list and some freely-available resources are provided in PandA. |
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