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Sustainability Essentials: Building a Greener Future

July 15 - August 2, 2024, Monday to Friday

GGRN 100 (GNED)

In this highly immersive, experiential course, you will examine the fundamental structures, systems, and theories of sustainability, beginning with the origin of the concept itself and its varied interpretations. Through interdisciplinary examination of modern life, including vital consideration and centering of Indigenous Ways of Knowing, you’ll critically reflect on the impacts of food, energy, consumption, and transportation habits on the planet and its inhabitants. By engaging in creative assessments and community projects you’ll learn how to apply various frameworks of sustainability, including the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and theories on individual, and collective action to identify opportunities and solutions to global sustainability issues.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Compare and contrast different understandings of relationships stemming from Indigenous knowledges and histories;
  • Identify the impacts of colonialism on people, land, and social movements as a way of understanding social dynamics at play on this land;
  • Match strategies and solutions with the relevant United Nations Sustainable Development Goal and describe the intersections between social problems and ecological problems.

This program is right for you if:

  • You are passionate about sustainability and want to gain a deep understanding of its fundamental structures, theories;
  • You are interested in exploring the interconnectedness of sustainability with Indigenous Ways of Knowing, social dynamics, and environmental progress, and want to critically analyze the impacts of various factors on the planet and its inhabitants;
  • You are motivated to make a positive impact on global sustainability challenges by aligning strategies and solutions with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and understanding the intersections between social and ecological problems.

What will you be able to do after this course?

  • Effectively analyze and compare different understandings of sustainability, including Indigenous perspectives, and apply this knowledge to real-world situations;
  • Identify and address the impacts of colonialism on people, land, and social movements, allowing you to better understand and navigate complex social dynamics;
  • Enhance your ability to contribute to global sustainability efforts and tackle pressing environmental and social challenges;
  • Evaluate and propose responses to environmental problems, both on a large-scale and small-scale, while understanding the underlying values and beliefs that influence economic systems and their impact on our planet.
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