Sustainable Development (MA)HL23

Sustainable development refers to the challenges involved in reducing global inequalities while also reducing threats to the planet's systems from industrialised production and consumption. But what sustainable development do we have today? What is its history, how has it developed this way, and what are its possible futures? The social sciences aim to offer insight on the underlying causes of the challenges of our time, including: socialpoliticaleconomictechnologicalcultural Understanding the origin of these problems can help us adapt and transform, leading to a more sustainable future. This is especially important as we seek to expand environmental care in relation to: climate stabilitybiodiversitythe renewal of natural resources This multidisciplinary programme addresses sustainable development (as an interrelated global and local issue) to examine: how societies organise social, economic and political activitythe social and environmental consequences of current ways of livinghow societies relate to the natural worldthe relationship between current and future generationspatterns of developmentopportunities for social, political, economic and technological change Throughout our programme we address many different issues and concepts, including but not limited to: social and environmental justicesustainable consumptioneconomic structuresfood systemsenergy technologies and policiesgovernance and democracy Students will take core courses in sustainable development alongside core courses in another chosen disciplinary pathway subject. You will also have access to a wide range of optional courses to complement and broaden your learning. Our programme is primarily based on social science, although there are options for students wishing to pursue natural scientific perspectives on sustainable development. These are not compulsory. Alongside sustainable development, you will choose one or two main subject areas. Currently, these are: geographypolitics and international relationsscience, technology and innovation studiessocial anthropologysociology This provides you with substantive disciplinary training, theoretically and methodologically. This will empower you to critically engage with sustainable development and its future.