BA in Sustainable Development
Columbia University
Description
Sustainable development is founded on the premise that human well-being should advance without irreparable harm to ecosystems and the vital services they provide, without depleting essential resources, and without posing risks to future generations. Sustainability means the management of the world's resources in a manner consistent with the continued healthy functioning of the world's ecosystems, oceans, atmosphere, and climate. Development is the challenge of spreading social, political, and economic well-being to the entire global community and especially to the poorest of the poor, who continue to suffer massive material deprivation despite the vast improvements in average material conditions on the planet. The Earth Institute, in collaboration with Columbia College, the School of General Studies, the School of International and Public Affairs, and the Departments of Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology; and Earth and Environmental Engineering, have collaborated to bring students both a major as well as a special concentration in sustainable development. These programs are designed to: engage students in this emergent interdisciplinary discussion; provide them with a knowledge of the theory and practice of sustainable development; stimulate a critical examination of the historical and conceptual antecedents; have them reflect on how past practices have shaped the present; provide experience in the complex challenges of sustainable development through direct engagement; and help them imagine alternative futures for our rapidly changing world. With help from the Earth Institute faculty, courses for the program were specifically created to address the very real and complex issues of development as they relate to the interactions of the natural and social systems. The major focuses heavily on the sciences and is meant to provide students with a working knowledge of issues on a range of interacting subject areas. After declaring the major, students are assigned an academic adviser from within the Earth Institute, with expertise in an area of sustainable development, who are able to advise them on class selection and career development. Students benefit from a support system of Earth Institute faculty, advisers, and program managers, and have access to the multitude of resources for internships, study abroad programs, and career development. The special concentration is intentionally more flexible, but its structure allows students to benefit from the cross-disciplinary courses and to build the expertise to allow them to address the fundamental issue of how to move towards a trajectory of sustainability. The sustainable development program is structured to ensure that students graduate with the skills and knowledge to enable them to advance professionally in the public, private, governmental and not-for-profit sectors, and to pursue advanced degrees. Those interested in sustainable development are encouraged to participate in the lectures, conferences, and other programs sponsored by the Earth Institute. Those interested in doing further work in this field should consult with the program administrator or with members of the interschool committee.