The Age of Sustainable Development" gives students an understanding of the key challenges and pathways to sustainable development - that is, economic development that is also socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable.
The Age of Sustainable Development
Columbia UniversityAbout this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
39%
started a new career after completing these courses
36%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
11%
got a pay increase or promotion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
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Approx. 29 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English, Chinese (Simplified)
Skills you will gain
EnergySustainable EnergyUrban PlanningEnvironmental Protection
Learner Career Outcomes
39%
started a new career after completing these courses
36%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
11%
got a pay increase or promotion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Approx. 29 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English, Chinese (Simplified)
Offered by
Columbia University
For more than 250 years, Columbia has been a leader in higher education in the nation and around the world. At the core of our wide range of academic inquiry is the commitment to attract and engage the best minds in pursuit of greater human understanding, pioneering new discoveries and service to society.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
1 hour to complete
Course Materials
Information about the general course structure and reading list can be found here.
1 hour to complete
3 readings
3 readings
Suggested Readings for The Age of Sustainable Development10m
Syllabus10m
Course Overview10m
1 hour to complete
What is Sustainable Development?
Professor Sachs provides an overview of the challenges the world faces, and introduces the topic of sustainable development.
1 hour to complete
5 videos (Total 67 min)
5 videos
Economic Growth and Progress14m
Continuing Poverty14m
Environmental Threats10m
Paths16m
1 practice exercise
QUIZ: What is Sustainable Development?20m
2 hours to complete
Inequality Around the World
Professor Sachs delves into the reasons for and the measurements of inequality between and within countries.
2 hours to complete
5 videos (Total 73 min)
5 videos
Urban/Rural Inequality12m
Income Inequality Within Countries13m
Measuring Wellbeing14m
Convergence or Divergence?14m
1 practice exercise
QUIZ: Inequality Around the World20m
2 hours to complete
A Short History of Economic Development
Professor Sachs provides a history of economic development, starting with the Industrial Revolution and ending with the current state of modern economic growth.
2 hours to complete
5 videos (Total 78 min)
5 videos
The Industrial Revolution Starts in England12m
The Great Waves of Technological Change14m
The Diffusion of Economic Growth16m
Economic Development Since World War II21m
1 practice exercise
QUIZ: A Short History of Economic Development 20m
2 hours to complete
The History of Inequality
Professor Sachs analyzes the intersecting roles of various factors that contribute to some countries advancing while others do not.
2 hours to complete
5 videos (Total 80 min)
5 videos
The Role of Physical Geography: Transport, Energy, Disease, and Crops17m
The Role of Culture: Demography, Education, Gender 17m
The Role of Politics 15m
Which Countries are Still Stuck in Poverty?15m
1 practice exercise
QUIZ: The History of Inequality20m
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM THE AGE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
by AAJun 1, 2020
Very informative and detailed. Prof. Sachs covers all aspects of sustainable development in detail. Though the course was designed in 2013 hence does not cover the latest development to SDGs to date.
by LGMay 18, 2017
This course was perfect for those wanting to explore the world of development, broad enough to include all interlinked themes, with sufficient reading materials to spark one's specializing interests.
by KAJul 25, 2017
The course was very interesting and relevant but a lot of data is outdated, some links are not working or have been changed. I would advise to review the course according to the latest developments.
by CHFeb 21, 2018
This is the best Coursera course I have taken for its breadth of content knowledge and also the clarify in which Prof Sachs taught and organized it. Truly meaningful and great learning experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Will I earn university credit for completing the Course?
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