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Sustainable Development Program | Faculty of Environment Simon Fraser University Calendar | Summer 2024

Development and Sustainability

Graduate Certificate

Admission to this program has been suspended effective Summer 2020.

Development and sustainability examines the problems, processes, and prospects for the sustainable transformation of human, natural, and material resources that occur in various contexts and at various levels of social interaction, from local, national, and regional levels to the international/global level. To study development and sustainability is to study the changes that affect the quality of life of individuals and groups globally, within the broader context of environmental change.

The problems of development and sustainability are urgent and complex, and often transcend the boundaries of conventional academic disciplines. One must draw upon many disciplines in order to obtain a balanced understanding of historical and contemporary processes. These disciplines include, but are not limited to: anthropology, business, communications, economics, gender studies, geography, health, political science, resource and environmental management, and sociology.

The graduate certificate in development and sustainability links faculty teaching support and research across the university. This enables students to coordinate their graduate studies by concentrating on development issues using a multidisciplinary approach. Students move through their programs in their departments while also being in regular contact with those with common interests in development across the university.

Admission Requirements

Admission to this program has been suspended effective Summer 2020.

Applicants must satisfy the University admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulations 1.3 in the SFU Calendar. This graduate certificate program is exclusively - and only - completed during enrollment in a master's or doctoral program. Students are not permitted to complete this graduate certificate program on its own. For information, and to be admitted, students should contact the Sustainable Development Program Advisor.

Program Requirements

This program consists of a required seminar and elective course work for a minimum of 14 units.

Students must complete

SD 801 - Issues, Concepts & Cases in Development and Sustainability (5) *

A multidisciplinary survey of the issues that confront scholars and practitioners in development and sustainability, the major theories and concepts, and the methods used to analyze and interpret data, with a focus on historical and contemporary case studies. Prerequisite: Must be enrolled in a graduate program at SFU. Students with credit for DEVS 801 cannot take SD 801 for further credit.

and three courses from at least two academic units

CMNS 840 - Political Economy of Communications (5)

A study of the political, economic and social process that produces the structure and policies of mass media, and of telecommunication agencies in their historical setting.

ECON 855 - Theories of Economic Development (4)

Characterization of non-growing economies; mechanics of the process of economic development; the role of economic and non-economic factors; structural transformation in economic development.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G100 Chris Bidner
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
GEOG 620 - Selected Topics: Economy, Environment and Development (4)

Geographic perspectives on selected topics in economy and environment in Canadian and international contexts.

GSWS 830 - Selected Topics Graduate Seminar I (5)

Selected Topics.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G200 AJ Withers
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
G201 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby
HSCI 821 - Introduction to Global Health (3)

This is a survey course in global health. The course introduces students to fundamental concepts, frameworks and vocabulary that underwrite the logics of global health, as well as important histories and milestones in the field. A survey will be conducted of the most significant topic areas in the field, considering epidemiological patterns, etiology, approaches to improving health outcomes and the policy ramifications of our knowledge.

HSCI 870 - Global Health and International Affairs (3)

Intersection of international affairs and global health. Pressing global health issues are analyzed as they intersect with the global economy, international development, and security.

IS 801 - Politics, Institutions and Development (4)

'The quality of institutions' is now said to exercise a crucial influence on the prospects for development, and the course interrogates this claim both through analysis of different paths of economic growth and change across the developing world, and in regard to public administration and development management. It examines development policies and institutional theories, the politics of institutions and state formation, and the relationships between political systems, institutions and patterns of development. Prerequisite: Graduate students enrolled in the MA in International Studies, or permission of the instructor.

IS 809 - Selected Topics - Economic and Social Development of Selected Regions (4)

Examines the specific development experience of a selected region, taking account of the historical context, of state capacity, development strategies and of the political economy of development - as well as of the particular problems of development across different sectors of the economy, and the outcomes in regard to poverty and levels of well-being.

IS 835 - Social and Political Change in Latin America (4)

A general overview of social and political change in Latin America, including revolutions, independence, transition to democracy, and contemporary social movements. Theoretical approaches may include social-movement theory, democratic theory, etc. Students who have taken LAS 835 or SA 835 for credit may not take this course for further credit.

PLCY 812 - Selected Topics in Public Policy (5)

Covers topics appropriate to the program but not covered extensively in the core courses.

REM 621 - Ecological Economics (5)

Introduction to economic concepts for management of the environment and specific natural resources. Key topics include market failure, cost-benefit analysis, non-market valuation, pollution economics, analysis of transboundary environmental problems and the application of economics to sustainable development analysis and policies.

REM 643 - Public Engagement, Environmental Conflict and Dispute Resolution (5)

Theory and techniques of public engagement, negotiation, and conflict resolution in planning and public policy.

REM 650 - Energy Management for a Sustainable Climate and Society (5)

Management strategies and policies to achieve sustainable flows of energy and materials in the economy. Eco-efficiency strategies reduce these flows while resource substitution strategies seek more environmentally benign flows. Applies expertise from economics, ecology, thermodynamics, engineering, geology and behavioral sciences. Students with credit for MRM 650 may not take this course for further credit.

REM 658 - Research Methods and Models for Sustainability (5)

Theory, background, and practical experience in the use of a range of methods and models related to environment, sustainability, and energy, with the aim of demonstrating how more environmentally and socially sustainable trajectories can be achieved. Techniques include: simulation modelling, optimization modelling, survey design, statistical analysis, discrete choice modelling, and qualitative research methods. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

REM 660 - Special Topics in Natural Resources Management (5)

Special topics in areas not currently offered within the offerings of the resource and environmental management program.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G100 TBD
REM 662 - Special Topics in Resource Management (5)

Special Topics in areas not currently offered within the offerings of the resource and environmental management program.

SD 802 - Selected Topics in Sustainable Development (5)

Intensive analysis or a particular topic in the fields of development and sustainability, intended for advanced students in the DEVS Graduate Certificate program. Prerequisite: To be in good standing in DEVS Certificate program. Students are expected to have completed SD 801, or may be taking it concurrently. Students with credit for DEVS 802 cannot take SD 802 for further credit.

SD 803 - Directed Studies in Sustainable Development (5)

Independent reading, research and/or field placement in the fields of development and sustainability, defined in consultation with a supervising instructor, and the Director of the program. This course is intended for advanced students in the DEVS Graduate Certificate program. Prerequisite: To be in good standing in DEVS Certificate program. Students are expected to have completed SD 801, or may be taking it concurrently. Students with credit for DEVS 803 cannot take SD 803 for further credit.

* Students are advised to complete this course in the first half of their graduate studies.

Program Length

Students are expected to complete the program requirements within the first nine terms of their master's or doctoral program.

Other Information

Students will receive their certificate of development and sustainability upon completion of their primary degree.

Course Work

Students should plan course choices leading to the certificate well ahead of time in consultation with their supervisory committees and the Sustainable Development Program Advisor.

Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations

All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.