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851-0654-00L 1 Credits BSC , DS , MSC D-USYS , D-GESS

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The Sustainable Development Goals in Context

Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Isabel Günther

Examiners: Prof. Dr. Isabel Günther, Dr. Omar Kassab, Dr. Marriette Mertens

Does not take place this semester.

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:22:07

Abstract

The United Nations Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide an opportunity for the international community to shape the course of sustainable development. The lectures center on 17 sustainability and equity challenges and provide insights from researchers as well as decision makers from policy, the private sector and civil society.

Objective

1. Students know important dimensions of sustainable development and the discourse in the context of the SDGs 2. Students get an overview how ETH Zurich contributes to sustainable development and the achievement of the SDGs 3. The lecture series enables students to contribute to sustainable development during their studies and research, as graduates on the job market, and as members of the society 4. Writing a short blog post trains students to communicate acquired knowledge effectively for a broader audience. 5. Students will learn to critically read short articles and ask follow-up questions to experts of a field.

Content

For each lecture we will invite one researcher or one decision maker from policy, the private sector or civil society to reflect on one particular SDG. These talks will be followed by discussions with students and the general public. Most lectures will be given online.

Resources

Lecture Notes

1-2 short paper will be posted on the Moodle each week that should be read before the talks.

General Information

Language: English
Levels: BSC , DS , MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: graded semester performance

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture with exercise	The Sustainable Development Goals in Context Does not take place this semester.	No time listed	2 h weekly

Offered In

Science in Perspective (In “Science in Perspective”-courses students learn to reflect on ETH’s STEM subjects from the perspective of humanities, political and social sciences. Only the courses listed below will be recognized as "Science in Perspective" courses.)
- Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence (SiP courses are recommended for bachelor students after their first-year examination and for all master- or doctoral students. All SiP courses are listed in Type A. Courses listed under Type B are only recommendations for enrollment for specific departments.)
  - Political Science
Environmental Sciences Bachelor
- Social Sciences and Humanities
  - Electives
    - Module Individual Sciences
- Natural Science and Technical Electives
  - Environmental Planning (103-0414-10L Transport Basics is a prerequisite for the Master's degree programme in Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems and should be successfully completed in the Bachelor's degree if possible.)
Agricultural Sciences Master
- Minors
  - Sustainable Agricultural Development (The minor Transdisciplinarity for Sustainable Development was revised and renamed for the academic year 22/23. The course units that were previously offered are still part of the Sustainable Agricultural Development minor.)
- Electives Courses (Elective courses can be chosen from the entire course programme of the ETH Zurich as well as from the course programme of the University of Zurich.)