Course Overview:

This course explores the complex, interrelated global challenges shaping economic and social development in the 21st century. Through a multidisciplinary lens, students will examine critical issues such as poverty, inequality, climate change, public health, migration, and access to education and clean water. Emphasis is placed on understanding the root causes, geopolitical dynamics, and policy frameworks that influence sustainable development across regions. Students will engage with global development agendas such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), analyze case studies from the Global South, and assess the roles of international organizations, governments, NGOs, and the private sector in advancing equitable and inclusive development. The course also explores how businesses and social enterprises contribute to addressing global issues through responsible innovation, ethical leadership, and impact investing. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to critically evaluate global development strategies, propose solutions to pressing international challenges, and understand the interconnectedness of development, governance, and global business.

Prerequisite:

  • The students must have completed grade 12 or equivalent education, or mature student status (19 years or older).
  • All applicants must meet one of the following Language Proficiency Requirements (LPR):
    • Completion of 2 years of secondary education (including English 10 and 11 with grade of ‘C’ or higher) from a country where English is one of the principal languages, or
    • Completion of 2 years of full-time post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction, or
    • Students from non-English speaking countries must have completed grade 12 or equivalent education and provide verified results for one of the English Language Proficiency tests with minimum scores listed below:
      • IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 50, CAEL 45, CELPIP 6.5, DET 105, PTE 47, PCE 175, CAMBRIDGE B2 Level, LANGUAGECERT B2 Level, MET B2 Level, ITEP 3.8, EIKEN Grade Pre-1. or
    • Provide proof of achieving at least 65% in Grade 12 English (or equivalent) from a recognized institution.
  • Mature Student Applicants
    • Applicants who are 19 years of age or older at the start of the program, are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and are unable to provide official secondary or post-secondary education records may demonstrate English proficiency by:
      • Submitting a signed attestation confirming they have completed at least three years of full-time education in English in a country where English is one of the primary languages and
      • Completing the Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation: Reading, Writing, and WritePlacer) with the following minimum scores:
        • Reading: 235
        • Writing: 235
        • WritePlacer: 4

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, the students will be able to:

  • Identify and explain the key global challenges influencing sustainable development, including poverty, inequality, climate change, public health, education, and migration.
  • Analyze the root causes and interconnections among global development issues using multidisciplinary approaches.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of international development strategies and frameworks, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Compare and contrast development outcomes across different regions, particularly in the Global South, using case studies.
  • Assess the roles of international organizations, governments, NGOs, and private-sector actors in promoting equitable and inclusive development.
  • Apply critical thinking to propose innovative, ethical, and context-sensitive solutions to real-world global development challenges.
  • Communicate development-related insights and policy recommendations effectively through written, oral, and visual formats tailored to diverse audiences.

Course Content & Topics:

Class 1: Introduction to Global Development
Class 2: Poverty and Economic Inequality
Class 3: Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability
Class 4: Global Public Health Challenges
Class 5: Migration, Refugees, and Displacement
Class 6: Education and Global Learning Inequality
Class 7: Access to Clean Water and Sanitation
Class 8: Development and Gender Equity
Class 9: Food Security and Agricultural Development
Class 10: Technology and Innovation in Development
Class 11: Governance, Corruption, and Accountability
Class 12: Development Aid, Finance, and Policy
Class 13: Business and Social Enterprise for Development
Class 14: Capstone: Regional Case Studies and Student Presentations

Credit Information:

  • Credits: 3

Duration:

  • 14 Weeks: 3 hrs/week

Course & Related Fees:

  • Domestic & International: $700 (Seven hundred dollars)

For a detailed breakdown, please refer to Policy #S-005 Programs & Course Fee Schedule

Non-Refundable Fees:

  • Application Fee: $50.00/course (payable online and non-refundable)