Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - SD 481 D100

Global Sustainability Governance and Action (4)

Class Number: 6071

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    One of PLAN 100, PLAN 200, REM 100, or SD 281; and 60 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

From sustainability debates to policy windows and strategic goals (e.g., UN Sustainable Development Goals), students engage with tools and concepts to enable equitable change across contexts and sectors. This includes how policy is created, who the main players are in effecting change, and how we track and adapt to outcomes. Students with credit for REM 481 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Students will explore the history of development actions, current sustainable development initiatives, and how large-scale change happens, including the role of local communities, governance actors, fields of research, and windows of opportunity.

 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Students who have completed this course should be able to:

  • Identify and understand key sustainable development approaches and theories of change;
  • Identify and appreciate key historical sustainable development initiatives and their lessons for future policy; 
  • Critically examine current national and global sustainable development initiatives, including their proposed mechanisms and intended goals;
  • Build from an understanding of multiple types of information and perspectives to formulate potential options for sustainable development policy and implementation that reconcile national and global agreements and guidelines with local contexts.

Grading

  • Assingments 45%
  • Quizzes 10%
  • Mid-term Exam 20%
  • Final Essay 25%

REQUIREMENTS:

One of PLAN 100, PLAN 200, REM 100, or SD 281; and 60 units. Students with credit for SCD 401 or REM 401 or REM 481 may not complete this course for further credit.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All readings and materials will be provided to students through Canvas.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.