Introduction to the Sustainable Development Goals
Description:
The purpose of this introductory interdisciplinary short-learning programme on the United Nations’ 17 SDGs is to provide a basic understanding of and context to the SDGs (from South African and African perspectives), the reasons for their existence, how they fit together in a comprehensive framework, as well as critiques levelled against the SDG Agenda. The course further considers the alignment of the SDGs with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and South Africa’s National Development Plan, which both preceded the SDGs. This SLP will not only raise awareness of the SDGs, but also provide the introductory knowledge needed to engage in a more informed way with sustainable development / sustainability whether in a work context or in society generally.
Admission Requirements:
Older than 18 years of age Name and surname Email address
Curriculum:
We start the course with a brief overview (which you are busy with now) and a 'what next' section at the end of the course. The rest of the course is divided into five units. The wedding cake representation of the SDGs inspired the structure of the course, as indicated in the video below. The 17 SDGs will be engaged in four groupings, namely society (SDG1 to SDG5), the economy (SDG8 to SDG12), the biophysical (SDG6, SDG7, SDG13, SDG14 and SDG15), and the implementation of the SDGs (SDG16 and SDG17). This is a fully online self-paced course that you can start at any time. The course is delivered through five units plus two further sections on overview and 'what is next' after this course. You should plan that it will take you about 50 hours to complete the course. We further recommend you use ten hours per week over five weeks (thus two hours per weekday over five weeks). We anticipate that most participants will complete the course over five to eight weeks. Do let us know if you face any challenges completing the course (you can email us at SDGs@uj.ac.za), and we will gently urge you on after eight weeks. At the end of each unit, you have to complete a compulsory assessment on that unit. You have to achieve at least 50% in the unit assessment before the next unit will be released to you. At the end of the course, you will have completed five unit assessments. Your final mark for the course is the average of the five unit assessments (each unit assessment thus contributes 20% to your final mark). A participant who has completed all five units with a minimum final mark of 50% will receive a digital certificate for this course.
Course Instructors:
