Implementation of Sustainable Development in Eurasia

2025/2026

Учебный год

ENG

Обучение ведется на английском языке

3

Кредиты

Кто читает:

Департамент политологии и международных отношений

Статус:

Курс по выбору

Когда читается:

1-й курс, 3 модуль

Преподаватель

Волков Александр Романович

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the principles of sustainable development and practical mechanisms for their implementation in the countries of the Eurasian region. The course covers the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), national strategies and institutional mechanisms for their implementation, as well as the application of the ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) approach in assessing the sustainability of socio-economic systems. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of sustainable development at the national level, the comparison of Eurasian countries by key indicators, the study of the regulatory framework, international ratings, and monitoring systems. The course is focused on developing the analytical and research skills of master's students through working with official statistics, international reports, and strategic documents. The practical part of the course is implemented in the format of a team project — the development of a country profile within the framework of the SDGs and ESG, which allows for the formation of a systematic understanding of sustainable development as an interdisciplinary and multi-level process.

Learning Objectives

• To develop master's students' professional competencies in analyzing and evaluating the implementation of sustainable development principles in Eurasian countries, as well as to develop team analytical skills in researching national strategies, ESG factors, and progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• conducts a comprehensive analysis of countries' sustainable development based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the ESG approach;
• interprets official statistics, international indicators, and analytical reports in the field of sustainable development;
• assesses the effectiveness of national strategies, programs, and regulatory acts in the context of the implementation of Agenda 2030;
• applies the ESG approach to analyze environmental, social, and governance factors at the country level;
• works in a team on analytical and research projects, distributing functions and integrating the results of collective work;
• formulates analytical conclusions and practice-oriented recommendations based on comprehensive research on sustainable development;
• professionally presents the results of analytical work in the form of structured reports and public presentations.

Course Contents

• Topic 1. Sustainable Development as a Global and Regional Agenda
• Topic 2. Methodology for Sustainable Development and ESG Analysis
• Topic 3. Social Dimension of Sustainable Development
• Topic 4. Economic Development and Sustainable Growth
• Topic 5. Environmental Dimension of Sustainable Development
• Topic 6. Institutional Framework and Governance
• Topic 7. ESG, Business, and Civil Society
• Topic 8. Course Summary and Project Presentations

Assessment Elements

• Analytical Part of the Team Project (Continuous Assessment — 7 points)
  Assignment Description: the analytical part of the project involves conducting a comprehensive study of a selected Eurasian country through the development of a structured country profile in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ESG factors. Students collect and analyze official data to assess the country’s progress across all 17 SDGs, evaluate key ESG indicators (Environmental, Social, Governance), and examine the national regulatory and strategic framework related to sustainable development. The final output is a written analytical report (country profile) presenting a structured assessment of the current status, achievements, and challenges of sustainable development in the selected country. Assignment Objectives: the main objective of the assignment is to demonstrate students’ ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practice through an integrated country-level sustainability analysis. The project aims to develop analytical skills in working with real SDGs and ESG data, identifying development achievements and gaps, and formulating evidence-based conclusions and recommendations to enhance sustainable development outcomes.
• Public Project Defense (Final Assessment — 3 points)
  Assignment Description: after submission of the written report, each team delivers a public presentation of the project “Country Profile within the Framework of the SDGs and ESG.” The defense is conducted in the form of an oral presentation before the instructor, peers, and/or invited experts. All team members are expected to participate in presenting the results. A question-and-answer session follows the presentation, during which students justify their analytical approach and conclusions. Objectives of the Defense: the purpose of the public defense is to assess students’ ability to effectively communicate analytical results, defend their conclusions, and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of sustainable development principles. The defense also evaluates presentation skills, teamwork, and the ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practical analytical contexts.

Interim Assessment

• 2025/2026 3rd module
  0.7 * Analytical Part of the Team Project (Continuous Assessment — 7 points) + 0.3 * Public Project Defense (Final Assessment — 3 points)

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