Politics of Sustainable Development

2024/2025

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

Delivered at:

Department of Political Science and International Affairs

Course type:

Elective course

When:

3 year, 4 module

Instructor

Cecalenco, Anatolie

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The "Politics of Sustainable Development" course explores the theoretical underpinnings and diverse conceptions of "sustainable development". This interdisciplinary program emphasizes the complex sustainability challenges industrial and developing nations face alongside economies in transition. Key elements of the course include: ● Examination of environmental sustainability concerns associated with climate change, sustainable production and consumption, gender and population dynamics, among others. ● Analysis of sustainability challenges with a significant focus on developing states and transitioning economies. ● Exploration of traditional knowledge systems for a sustainable future. ● Implications of environmental politics and policies on the marginalized communities, e.g. nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoral tribes in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). The course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of global environmental governance and sustainability politics through lectures, case studies, group activities, workshops, and policy debates. It addresses the role of policymakers, producers, consumers, and local indigenous voices in addressing environmental issues and the complexity of creating effective governance regimes amid diverse political and economic powers. This multifaceted approach enables students to critically analyze the interplay between natural, societal, and economic systems and their impact on the environment and development discourses. The course prepares students to navigate and contribute to the evolving field of sustainable development, equipping them with theoretical insights and practical skills, including academic and popular writing.

Learning Objectives

• ● Familiarise the students with the foundations of the conceptual framework of sustainable development.
• ● Understanding the goals and objectives of global environmental policymaking in terms of the historical development, the current state, and future implications.
• ● Comparing the experiences of both developed and developing countries on sustainable development.
• ● Understanding how traditional knowledge combined with modern knowledge systems could aid in sustainable development.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• ● Analyzes and calculates the socio-economic consequences of ecological problems
• ● Understands the role of traditional societies in addressing the climate and environmental crisis
• ● Understands the role of different actors in sustainable development promotion and advocacy
• ● Considers their significance in global environmental development, understands the challenges in the Global South in general and in India in particular

Course Contents

• Lecture 1. Definitions and Design: What is Sustainable Development, and why is it important?
• Lecture 2. A brief of sustainability policies and politics: From concepts to movements
• Lecture 3. Environment vs. development: Learnings from case studies of anthropogenic challenges in the Indian Himalayan region (IHR).
• Lecture 4: Exploration of traditional knowledge systems for sustainable development.
• Lecture 5. Rethinking Transhumance: Climate Resilience and Sustainable Development in Pastoral Communities
• Lecture 6. The interconnectedness of gender and environment for sustainable development
• Lecture 7. Climate change implications in the mountain ecosystems
• Lecture 8 Sustainable production and consumption in the transitioning economies
• Lecture 9 Governance of Waste in the Global South: Circular Economy and Green Transition Perspectives
• Lecture 10. Class presentations on sustainable development topics of students’ interest
• Lecture 11. Methodologies and academic/popular writings on environmental sustainability concerns
• Lecture 12. Youth Parliament and Group Presentation of Final Project

Assessment Elements

• Seminar participation (20%)
  Criteria of engagement: ● Meaningful engagement with the mandatory readings demonstrated ● Own critical approach to the reading and lecture materials elucidated ● By bringing in concepts and empirical examples from other fields of study, the student demonstrates a complex understanding of the introduced concepts ● Contribution to the class dynamics: by reflecting on earlier points and comments, students can again demonstrate a practical understanding of the discussed concepts, as well as their abilities to understand the dynamics of ongoing discussions. Conversely, redundant and self-serving comments will lower the participation grade.
• Individual tasks (10%)
  Based on the skills acquired at the workshop, students will receive home assignments to work in Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
• Case Study (10%)
  This is an editorial assignment of 500 to 750 words – with a strict word limit (note your final word count at the end of the submitted work with your name). Your task is to construct an argument around some aspect of a specific case of unsustainable development. This should not be a summary but an analysis that references course material when appropriate. The important point is that you construct a political argument about an issue of sustainable development using ample supporting evidence and examples. This is not merely an opinion piece, then; it is a well-reasoned argument that mimics the best of editorial pages in national publications, i.e. here’s an example. As usual, grades will be based upon content, structure, and creativity. The grade 8-10 meets all four criteria below, the grade 6-7 three, the grade 4-5 two and etc. These criteria are: 1. Highlights an effective thesis statement. 2. Supports critical contentions with adequate evidence and specific examples. 3. Shows imagination and creativity in individual insights. 4. Is well-organized, stylistically effective, and mechanically sound.
• Team presentation (20%)
  A 15-minute presentation (plus an additional five minutes of discussion time) of a sustainability case study counts for 10% of your final grade. As part of the presentation, you must prepare an analysis of one of the cases or practices of sustainable development (after agreeing with me in advance). Examples of presentation areas: 1. Comparative analysis of the level of development of sustainable development practices in the countries of the global South and North (select at least 3-4 countries). 2. The role of business in the sustainable development of Russian cities (using the example of 3- 4 companies) 3. The role of the state in developing the climate agenda (at least 3-4 countries in Asia, Latin America or the Middle East) 4. The role of non-state actors in the development of corporate social responsibility practices (3- 4 examples) 4. Development of non-financial reporting standards (using the example of 3-4 countries of the Global South) 5. Analysis of projects of companies to protect human rights (3-4 companies minimum). After presenting your material, you will generate critical discussion among your peers, particularly by preparing at least two interesting questions that will prompt further exploration of the work and relate to other aspects of the course.
• Final test (20%)
  Description: The test makes up 20% of the final grade. It consists of two parts and lasts 1 hour 20 minutes. Part one is a simple one correct answer quiz. Part two consists of open questions where students have to demonstrate their deeper knowledge of the subject.
• Exam (20%)
  Description: The exam makes up 20% of the final grade. It consists of two parts and lasts 1 hour 20 minutes. Part one is a simple one correct answer quiz. Part two consists of open questions where students have to demonstrate their deeper knowledge of the subject. The exam is not compulsory for those students who have achieved above a grade 4 for the other forms of control.

Interim Assessment

• 2024/2025 4th module
  0.1 * Case Study (10%) + 0.2 * Exam (20%) + 0.2 * Final test (20%) + 0.1 * Individual tasks (10%) + 0.2 * Seminar participation (20%) + 0.2 * Team presentation (20%)

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Rogers, P. P., Boyd, J. A., & Jalal, K. F. (2008). An Introduction to Sustainable Development. London: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=208908

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Sarkar, Runa, and Anup Sinha. Economics of Sustainable Development, Business Expert Press, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/hselibrary-ebooks/detail.action?docID=5184983