SUS 201 : Sustainability, Human Rights and Climate Justice
This course focuses on the disproportional burdens associated with climate change that experts anticipate will be experienced by poor countries and poor populations, with emphasis on Africa, Asia and the Small Island States. Substantive areas include the causes and consequences of uneven development and climate-driven threats and impacts on agriculture and food security; ecosystem goods and services; livelihoods and income generations; health, disease, and pandemics; water and energy access; sea-rise ad built-environmental infrastructure; sociopolitical destabilization, conflicts and terrorism; involuntary displacement and migration; and gender equity. Particular concerns center on international geo-political relations, global interconnectivity, nations' ethical responsibilities toward the poor in the face of climate crises, and transnational mitigation and adaptation responses. Prerequisite(s): A passing score on the College's writing and reading placement tests or, C or better or concurrent enrollment in ENG 091, or ENG 092. Three lecture hours per week.
Course Outcomes
1. Distinguish between First World and Third World societal characteristics and articulate the problems of uneven development.
2. Identify and explain the significance of key international (United Nations) documents focused on universal rights and fairness and their ethical implications.
3. Recognize and articulate the interconnected complexities of climate change events, especially as they impact poor countries and poor populations.
4. Demonstrate familiarity with potential mitigation and adaptation strategies, especially as they apply to poor countries and poor populations.
5. Apply the relevance of such strategies for local and regional climate change events in southeastern New England.
6. Develop research skills using the Internet, library resources and contacts with relevant embassies.
7. Think systemically and critically.
8. Conduct basic social science research.
9. Write and orally present research findings including recommendations for appropriate mitigation and adaptation responses.