WTAA0101 Introduction to Sustainable Development

Hiroshima University Syllabus

Japanese

Academic Year 2025Year School/Graduate School Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences (Master's Course)

Lecture Code WTAA0101 Subject Classification Specialized Education

Subject Name 持続可能な発展論基礎

Subject Name
（Katakana）　

Subject Name in
English Introduction to Sustainable Development

Instructor LEE CHUI YING

Instructor
(Katakana) リ　スイエイ

Campus Higashi-Hiroshima Semester/Term 1st-Year, Second Semester, Second Semester

Days, Periods, and Classrooms (2nd) Mon9-10：IDEC 204

Lesson Style Lecture Lesson Style
(More Details) Face-to-face

Credits 2.0 Class Hours/Week 2 Language of Instruction E : English

Course Level 5 : Graduate Basic

Course Area（Area） 24 : Social Sciences

Course Area（Discipline） 03 : Economics

Eligible Students

Keywords sustainable development, SDGs, economic development, poverty, global environmental changes

Special Subject for Teacher Education 　 Special Subject 　

Class Status
within Educational
Program
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Criterion referenced
Evaluation
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)

Class Objectives
/Class Outline Objective of the course is to understand fundamental concepts and theories in sustainable development. To this end, the course will firmly follow the contents of one of the most comprehensive textbook by Professor Jeffrey Sachs.

By the end of this course, students will:
1. Understand the concept of sustainable development and its historical evolution.
2. Analyze the interconnections between economic development, environmental sustainability, and social equity.
3. Evaluate global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and biodiversity loss.
4. Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills through case studies and policy analysis.

Class Schedule lesson1: Introduction to Sustainable Development
lesson2: An Unequal World
lesson3: A Brief History of Economic Development
lesson4: Why Some Countries Developed While Others Stayed Poor
lesson5: Ending Extreme Poverty
lesson6: Planetary Boundaries
lesson7: Social Inclusion
lesson8: Education for All
lesson9: Mid-term presentation
lesson10: Health for All
lesson11: Food Security
lesson12: Resilient Cities
lesson13: Climate Change
lesson14: Saving Biodiversity and Protecting Ecosystem Services
lesson15: Sustainable Development Goals

Mid term presentation with followup report and final report

Text/Reference
Books,etc. ・Jeffery Sachs (2015) The age of sustainable development, Columbia University Press
・Steve Bass, David H. Smith and Michael Stanley-Jones (2023). Sustainable Development in Practice: Integrating Environment, Climate and Poverty Reduction. United Nations Development Programme–United Nations Environment Programme Poverty-Environment Action: Nairobi.　https://www.greenpolicyplatform.org/initiatives/poverty-environment-action/Poverty-Environment%20Action%20Handbook

PC or AV used in
Class,etc. Text, Audio Materials, Visual Materials, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Forms

(More Details)

Learning techniques to be incorporated Discussions, Quizzes/ Quiz format, Role Play, Flip Teaching

Suggestions on
Preparation and
Review All students are expected to:
(1) read the textbook chapter before class,
(2) complete the preparation for discussion before class,
(3) participate in discussions in the class,
(4) contribute group exercises & discussion, and
(5) present and summarize the discussion outcome

Requirements

Grading Method Overall course grade is evaluated by the following criteria.
50% --- Contribution to the class (including presentation and preparatory for discussion)
20% --- Mid term presentation with followup report
30% --- Final report

Practical Experience

Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it

Message

Other

Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes.
Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

Academic Year	2025Year	School/Graduate School	Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences (Master's Course)
Lecture Code	WTAA0101	Subject Classification	Specialized Education
Subject Name	持続可能な発展論基礎
Subject Name （Katakana）
Subject Name in English	Introduction to Sustainable Development
Instructor	LEE CHUI YING
Instructor (Katakana)	リ　スイエイ
Campus	Higashi-Hiroshima	Semester/Term	1st-Year, Second Semester, Second Semester
Days, Periods, and Classrooms	(2nd) Mon9-10：IDEC 204
Lesson Style	Lecture	Lesson Style (More Details)	Face-to-face

Credits	2.0	Class Hours/Week	2	Language of Instruction	E : English
Course Level	5 : Graduate Basic
Course Area（Area）	24 : Social Sciences
Course Area（Discipline）	03 : Economics
Eligible Students
Keywords	sustainable development, SDGs, economic development, poverty, global environmental changes
Special Subject for Teacher Education		Special Subject
Class Status within Educational Program (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Criterion referenced Evaluation (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Class Objectives /Class Outline	Objective of the course is to understand fundamental concepts and theories in sustainable development. To this end, the course will firmly follow the contents of one of the most comprehensive textbook by Professor Jeffrey Sachs. By the end of this course, students will: 1. Understand the concept of sustainable development and its historical evolution. 2. Analyze the interconnections between economic development, environmental sustainability, and social equity. 3. Evaluate global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and biodiversity loss. 4. Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills through case studies and policy analysis.
Class Schedule	lesson1: Introduction to Sustainable Development lesson2: An Unequal World lesson3: A Brief History of Economic Development lesson4: Why Some Countries Developed While Others Stayed Poor lesson5: Ending Extreme Poverty lesson6: Planetary Boundaries lesson7: Social Inclusion lesson8: Education for All lesson9: Mid-term presentation lesson10: Health for All lesson11: Food Security lesson12: Resilient Cities lesson13: Climate Change lesson14: Saving Biodiversity and Protecting Ecosystem Services lesson15: Sustainable Development Goals Mid term presentation with followup report and final report
Text/Reference Books,etc.	・Jeffery Sachs (2015) The age of sustainable development, Columbia University Press ・Steve Bass, David H. Smith and Michael Stanley-Jones (2023). Sustainable Development in Practice: Integrating Environment, Climate and Poverty Reduction. United Nations Development Programme–United Nations Environment Programme Poverty-Environment Action: Nairobi.　https://www.greenpolicyplatform.org/initiatives/poverty-environment-action/Poverty-Environment%20Action%20Handbook
PC or AV used in Class,etc.	Text, Audio Materials, Visual Materials, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Forms
(More Details)
Learning techniques to be incorporated	Discussions, Quizzes/ Quiz format, Role Play, Flip Teaching
Suggestions on Preparation and Review	All students are expected to: (1) read the textbook chapter before class, (2) complete the preparation for discussion before class, (3) participate in discussions in the class, (4) contribute group exercises & discussion, and (5) present and summarize the discussion outcome
Requirements
Grading Method	Overall course grade is evaluated by the following criteria. 50% --- Contribution to the class (including presentation and preparatory for discussion) 20% --- Mid term presentation with followup report 30% --- Final report
Practical Experience
Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it
Message
Other
Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes. Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

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