A Global Humanities Approach to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals: Understanding Planet, People, and Prosperity

This textbook explores the 17 UN SDGs through 12 works from the humanities, including films, novels, and photographic collections. It can be used by students and instructors at undergraduate and postgraduate level from any subject background, particularly, but not exclusively, those in the humanities.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 20 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This edited textbook delves into the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through a comprehensive collection of 12 works from the humanities, encompassing films, novels, and photographic collections. It serves as a valuable resource for students seeking to gain a deeper understanding of how the humanities engage in broader social, political, economic, and environmental dialogues, offering a global perspective that transcends national and continental boundaries.

The book takes students on a journey through the SDGs, presenting them with a theoretical framework and practical applications. It begins by exploring specific global humanities examples, which are then followed by students' own final projects and reflections. Centered around three key themes of planet, people, and prosperity, the textbook encourages students to explore and apply the Goals using a place-based, culturally rooted approach, while simultaneously acknowledging and understanding their global significance.

The textbook's diverse range of examples includes documentary and feature films, photography, and literature. Notable works featured include Wang Jiuliang's "Plastic China," Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn's "Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret," Barbara Dombrowski's "Tropic Ice: Dialog Between Places Affected by Climate Change," and Aravind Adiga's "The White Tiger." These examples offer a rich tapestry of geographic and cultural perspectives, taking readers to Argentina, Australia, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, Greenland, Haiti, India, Japan, Peru, Rwanda, Senegal, and the United States.

Designed to cater to students and instructors at undergraduate and postgraduate levels from various subject backgrounds, particularly those in the humanities, this broad textbook provides a comprehensive exploration of the SDGs. In addition to the core content, it includes supplementary materials such as discussion questions, research assignments, writing prompts, and creative project ideas. These resources enhance students' learning experience by encouraging them to critically analyze, evaluate, and apply the knowledge gained from the textbook to real-world situations.

By delving into the intersection of social, cultural, ethical, political, economic, and environmental issues, this textbook empowers students to develop a nuanced understanding of the world and their role in shaping a more sustainable and equitable future. It serves as a valuable tool for promoting global awareness, promoting social responsibility, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing the pressing challenges of our time.

Weight: 630g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032484020