Course Overview

Course Title: Culture-driven Approach for Sustainability: Global Practices in the Cultural and Creative Industries

Relevant SDGs: Goal 3: Good health and well-being; Goal 5: Gender equality; Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities; Goal 13: Climate action

Credit(s): 2 credits

Course Description:

The course centers on the synergy between culture and creative industries and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through a culture-based approach. It prioritizes the intersection of culture, creativity, and sustainability. The course's main goals are to explore, understand, and leverage culture as a driving force for the SDGs, with particular emphasis on four frontier areas intervened by cultural actions, including gender equality, social wellbeing, climate change and community transition. 

Students can expect an interdisciplinary approach, featuring expert lectures, case studies, and group discussions, to provide insights into the latest theoretical concepts, industry practices, and public policies. The course also includes a module dedicated to Chinese studies, encouraging international academic exchange and knowledge sharing.

By offering team-based practical exercises that employ design thinking methodologies, the course inspires students to apply culture-based approaches to real-life challenges. The primary goal is to cultivate an international perspective and critical thinking on global issues, enhance language and organizational collaboration skills, and foster abilities in international academic exchanges.

The course emphasizes the urgency of leveraging culture for sustainability. It recognizes the power of culture in fostering individual and collective well-being, challenging gender norms, shaping sustainable territorial transition, addressing climate change. With the global need for innovative solutions to pressing challenges, the course stands as a timely initiative, exploring the vital role of culture and creative industries in achieving sustainable development.

In conclusion, students can expect to gain a deep understanding of the relationship between culture, creative industries, and the SDGs, equipped with the knowledge and skills to advocate for culture-based sustainable policies that have a lasting impact on our world. This course is an essential platform for addressing urgent global issues and driving positive change through culture and creativity.

Academic Team

PI:

• Jing WANG, Associate professor, School of Media and Communication, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Collaborators:

• Amparo Oliver Germes, Full professor in Quantitative Methods Applied to Behavioral Sciences at University of Valencia
• Pau Rausell Köster, Associate professor, director of Cultural Economics and Tourism Unit, Applied Economics department, Social Sciences School, University of Valencia
• Chuan Li, Assistant professor, Applied economics department, social sciences school, University of Valencia 
• Paula Simó Tomás, Assistant professor, Applied Economics department, Economics School, University of Valencia 
• Jordi Sanjuán Belda, Postdoctoral researcher, Applied Economics department, Economics School, University of Valencia 
• Irene Bianchi, Assistant professor, the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies, Politecnico di Milano
• Elena Spadoni, PhD candidate and predoctoral researcher, Design Department, Politecnico di Milano
• María Máñez Costa, Senior research fellow, Climate Service Center Germany (GERICS)
• Nadia Mirabella, PhD. Founding member, Chloe Sustainability 
• Giada Calvano, Founding member, Chloe Sustainability 

Mode of Teaching

1. Lecture: In lectures, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical foundations of culture-based approaches, inclusive education, and the intersections between culture, creativity, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Didactic instruction with visual aids, real-life examples, and engaging storytelling to convey complex concepts effectively. Each lecture session will typically last 60-90 minutes.
2. Case study: Through case studies, students will dive into real-world scenarios that illustrate the practical application of culture-based approaches and inclusive education. Interactive discussions, analysis of real cases, and critical thinking exercises. Each case study will involve interactive sessions, typically spanning 60-90 minutes.
3. Group discussion：Interactive dialogue, peer-to-peer exchange, and guided reflection. Group discussions will provide students with an opportunity to share their insights, perspectives, and experiences related to culture-based approaches. Group discussions will be scheduled periodically, with sessions typically lasting 20/30 minutes.
4. Project design & exhibition: Hands-on project development, mentorship, and a concluding exhibition of student projects. This segment focuses on applying knowledge practically. Students will work on project designs that utilize culture-based approaches to address real-life challenges related to the SDGs. The project design phase will extend over several weeks, with a final exhibition event.

Grading

1. Attendance: 30%;
2. Group presentation: 60%;
3. Final program summary: 10%.

What skills will students get?

1. Interdisciplinary Thinking: Students will develop the ability to approach complex issues from various disciplines, integrating perspectives from economics, sociology, management, psychology, and design to analyze the intersection of culture, creativity, and sustainability.
2. Analytical Skills: Through expert lectures, case studies, and group discussions, students will enhance their analytical skills by gaining insights into the latest theoretical concepts, industry practices, and public policies related to culture-based approaches for sustainable development.
3. Critical Thinking: The course encourages critical thinking on global issues, challenging students to question existing norms and understand the nuanced impact of cultural actions in areas such as gender equality, social wellbeing, climate change, and community transition.
4. Communication and Collaboration: Engaging in international academic exchanges and group discussions, students will enhance their communication and collaboration skills, fostering effective teamwork and the ability to articulate ideas across diverse cultural contexts.
5. Design Thinking Methodologies: The incorporation of team-based practical exercises employing design thinking methodologies equips students with problem-solving skills. They learn to apply culture-based approaches to real-life challenges, fostering creativity and innovation.
6. Cultural Competence: The course emphasizes the importance of understanding and leveraging culture for sustainability. Students will develop cultural competence, recognizing the role of culture in fostering individual and collective well-being, challenging gender norms, and shaping sustainable territorial transitions.
7. Global Perspective: By exploring the global implications of culture and creative industries in achieving sustainable development, students will cultivate an international perspective, gaining awareness of the interconnectedness of global challenges and the need for collaborative solutions.
8. Advocacy Skills: Armed with a deep understanding of the relationship between culture, creative industries, and the Sustainable Development Goals, students will acquire advocacy skills to champion culture-based sustainable policies. They will be empowered to contribute to positive, lasting changes on a global scale.

Course-specific Restrictions

None.

Class Schedule

Instructors

Course Contact

Jing WANG: jingwang@sjtu.edu.cn