SEJ 204 Environmental Studies and Sustainability Gateway

The Environmental Studies and Sustainability Gateway course offers a comprehensive introduction to the multidimensional field of environmental studies and sustainability. Taking an interdisciplinary approach that integrates the social sciences, natural sciences, business, and ethics, students explore the complex global and regional environmental challenges shaping our world today. Students engage with a wide range of topics including environmental and social policy, development and displacement, transnational ecological issues, urban water access, food security and sovereignty, urban planning, sustainability practices, social risk production, and conflicts arising from resource extraction and conservation. Throughout the course, students learn diverse interdisciplinary approaches to achieving sustainability, examining theories, principles, and practices that underpin both environmental studies and sustainability frameworks. A central emphasis is placed on the three interconnected pillars of sustainability: environmental health, economic welfare, and social justice. By the end of the course, students will have broadened their understanding of environmental issues and developed the analytical skills necessary to contribute meaningfully to sustainable futures.