Every year there is an increase in the number of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) available on sustainability topics. These courses are available for free online and open to anyone with an interest in the topic, lasting between three and fourteen weeks and taking three to eight hours per week to complete. Below is a selection of such courses starting in January 2018, listed by topic, from primarily PRME signatory schools.
Foundations of Development Policy: This course uses economic theory and data analysis to explore the economic lives of the poor, and the ways to design and implement effective development policy. MIT – starts February 6 2018.
The Challenges of Global Poverty: This course uses economics to understand some of the root causes behind underdevelopment and the constraints and trade-offs the poor face when making decisions. It also looks into anti-poverty strategies and policies. MIT – Starts February 6 2018.
What are the Sustainable Development Goals – This course provides a brief introduction to the Sustainable Development goals, what they are, how they came about, the goals and targets themselves as well as next steps and our role. Gowi – starts now.
Social Norms, Social Change: This course is on social norms, the rules that glue societies together. It teaches hot to diagnose social norms, and how to distinguish them from other social constructs, like customs or conventions. Unicef – starts January 1 2018.
Children’s Human Rights – An Interdisciplinary Introduction: This course combines law, psychology, sociology, history, educational and health sciences, economy and anthropology to explore critical issues concerning children’s rights. University of Geneva – starts January 8 2018.
Women in Leadership Inspiring Positive Change: This course aims to inspire and empower women and men across the world to engage in purposeful career development and take on leadership for important causes – to lead change with more conviction and confidence – and improve our workplaces and communities for all. Case Western Reserve University – starts January 8 2018.
Droi International de L’Eau Douce (course in French) – This course explores the laws that regulate and produce freshwater and the responsibilities of different stakeholders. University of Geneva – starts January 1 2018.
Sustainable Energy: This series of courses explores the complex nature of energy generation, distribution and supply and the challenges of transitioning to a sustainable energy future. University of Queensland – starts January 23 2018.
Energy Principles and Renewable Energy: This course provides an introduction to the language of energy, key scientific principles that underpin energy systems, future energy challenges and available renewable energy options. University of Queensland – starts January 23 2018.
Just Money: Banking as if Society Mattered: This course explores how banks can use capital as a tool to promote social and environmental wellbeing. MIT – starts March 7 2018.
Supply Chain Innovation: How Technology Can Create a Sustainable Future: This course looks at new technologies and how they can make supply chains more sustainable. It also explores global trends in global and supply chain innovation. University of Twente – starts now.
Debt Sustainability Analysis: What are the tools to access debt sustainability? How can countries effectively manage their sovereign debt? To answer these questions, this course combines theory with hands-on exercises. IMF – self paced.
From Corporate Social Responsibility to Corporate Social Innovation: Based on real-world experiences from business leaders, learn how to develop and lead social innovation initiatives that create both economic and social value. Babson – starts January 16 2018.
Part 2 will be posted tomorrow.
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