MSD-011: Sustainability Science

By Y.S.C. Khuman | Indira Gandhi National Open University

Learners enrolled: 302

Sustainability Science is basically defined as an interdisciplinary area that tries to understand the dynamic interaction between nature and society. The course mainly focuses on the genesis and principles of Sustainability Science, its central elements, goals, structure and its growth as a new emerging discipline across the globe. The course also explains the concept and evolution of sustainable development, sustainability indicators and the genesis of integrated holistic sustainable development indices by giving Indian Examples. The basic principles and concepts of Evergreen Revolution, Natural Resource Management at landscape level and participatory management are briefly discussed as an effective approach to Sustainable Development and to achieve SDGs by 2030. The course also provides an insight into age old Indian Ethics on natural environment, the use and abuse of natural resources through technology and the green technology.

Course Credit

Eligibility: Graduate in any discipline

Summary

Course Status :	Completed
Course Type :	Not Applicable
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	12 weeks
Category :	Multidisciplinary
Credit Points :	4
Level :	Postgraduate
Start Date :	15 Aug 2022
End Date :
Exam Date :

Page Visits

Course layout

Sustainability Science
BLOCK 1: INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Week 1	Principles, concept and Goals of Sustainable Development
Week 2	Global Challenges of sustainable Development and its pathways
BLOCK 2: SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE
Week 3	Ecological foundation of Basic human needs
Week 4	Concept of Sustainability Science, SDGs
Week 5	Sustainability Indicators
BLOCK 3: APPROACHES TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Week 6	Natural Resource Management
Week 7	Landscape Ecology
Week 8	Watershed Management
Week 9	Participation in Policy and Planning
BLOCK 4: ECOLOGY, ECONOMICS AND ETHICS
Week 10	Human Resource Development and Eco-friendly lifestyle
Week 11	Education, Awareness and Environmental Ethics
Week 12	Moving towards Green Technology

Books and references

Bell, Simon and Morse, Stephen (2008). Sustainability indicators : measuring the immeasurable? Published by Earthscan, London, UK (2nd ed.)
Rogers, Peter P., Jalal, Kazi F., Boyd, John A. (2008). An introduction to sustainable development. Published by Earthscan, London, UK.
Monica G. Turner, Robert H. Gardner, Robert V. O’Neill. Landscape ecology in theory and practice : pattern and process published by Springer-Verlag New York Berlin Heidelberg
Creighton, James L. (2005). The public participation handbook : making better decisions through citizen involvement. Published by 2005 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. San Francisco, CA, US
The world Happiness report-2018

Instructor bio

Y.S.C. Khuman

Indira Gandhi National Open University

Dr. Y.S.C. Khuman is Assistant Professor in the School of Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Studies at IGNOU, New Delhi. His Ph.D. from University of Delhi is on fuel wood issues in mountain regions of India. His recent publication is on sustainability issues of fuel wood in Himalayan regions and North East India.. He is the Programme Coordinator, Post Graduate Diploma in Sustainability Science.

He got extensive training as socio-ecologist in interdisciplinary research team at SES, JNU (2001-2005,Under Prof. Brij Gopal) and University of Delhi (2006-2011, Under Prof. K. S. Rao). During his doctoral research period (2008-2011), he has also worked under Prof. M S Swaminathan (Honorary Chair, Chair for Sustainable Development, IGNOU) as Senior Research Fellow. As a Senior Research Fellow in IGNOU, he took key responsibilities for developing different online academic programmes in the area of Sustainability Science. Academic programmes are: Appreciation Programme on Sustainability Science, Leadership Programme of Nutrition Security and Sustainable Development, Leadership Programme on Himalayan Ecosystem, Appreciation Programme on Sustainable Management of Wetlands etc.