BACHELOR OF
International Development, Innovation and Sustainability (IDIS)
The Bachelor of International Development, Innovation, and Sustainability (IDIS) program offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to understanding and addressing global challenges. Recognizing that sustainable development is essential for long-term progress, IDIS integrates the principles of peace, gender, and environmental studies into its curriculum.
This program is designed to
- Foster Global Citizenship: Equipping students with a global mindset and a deep understanding of international development, poverty reduction, human rights, and economic growth.
- Champion Sustainable Development: Emphasizing the critical role of sustainability in addressing global challenges, including climate change, inequality, and resource depletion.
- Cultivate Critical Thinking and Innovation: Developing students’ analytical and problem-solving skills to identify innovative and sustainable solutions to complex development issues.
- Enhance Leadership and Collaboration: Fostering leadership qualities and collaborative abilities to work effectively in diverse teams and international settings.
- Prepare for Law School: The interdisciplinary nature of the IDIS program, combined with its focus on critical thinking, research, and policy analysis, provides a strong foundation for law school and a career in legal fields related to international development, human rights, and environmental law.
By combining theoretical knowledge with practical skills, IDIS prepares graduates to become leaders in the field of sustainable development, capable of driving positive change on a global scale.
Program Outcomes
By the end of the program, graduates will be able to
Exhibit intercultural competence and ethical decision-making in addressing global sustainability challenges, promoting equity, environmental stewardship, and innovative development across diverse cultural, political, and economic contexts.
Utilize systems thinking and emerging technologies to design, implement, and scale innovative solutions that address sustainability problems by integrating social, environmental, and economic dimensions locally and globally.
Conduct interdisciplinary research and critically analyze international policies, treaties, and governance structures to evaluate and advocate for evidence-based reforms that advance global sustainability goals.
Demonstrate leadership and collaborative skills by engaging with stakeholders from various sectors and cultures to implement effective, sustainable development projects and manage sustainable enterprises.
Pursue continuous education and professional growth by staying informed on emerging sustainability trends and engaging in knowledge creation to promote a sustainable future.
Key Competencies Developed
By the end of the program, graduates will be able to develop the following key competencies:
- Global Perspective: Understanding the global interconnectedness of social, environmental, and economic challenges.
- Sustainability Expertise: Proficiency in sustainable design, business models, and technologies.
- Innovation Skills: Ability to develop creative and scalable solutions for global sustainability.
- Cultural Competence: Sensitivity to cultural diversity and ability to work effectively in international teams.
- Policy Influence: Capacity to analyze and influence international policies related to sustainable development.
- Leadership and Collaboration: Strong leadership, project management, and collaboration skills across global and multicultural contexts.
- Communication and Advocacy Skills: Ability to effectively communicate inspiring and actionable ideas to drive positive change or collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
- Gender Analysis and Advocacy: Understanding and addressing systemic gender inequalities and promoting inclusive practices in development work.
- Peacebuilding Competencies: Skills to design and implement strategies that foster conflict resolution, reconciliation, and societal harmony.
- Environmental Systems Thinking: Ability to assess and address the impact of human activity on ecological systems and promote sustainable solutions.
These competencies can be assessed through a variety of methods, including the following:
- First-Year Students: Develop foundational knowledge and actively participate in activities that explore global issues, including reflective essays or presentations on topics related to international development, sustainability, and global challenges.
- Second-Year Students: Engage meaningfully in community outreach or service-learning initiatives that involve collaboration with cultural stakeholders or undertake collaborative research projects addressing international development and sustainability issues.
- Third-Year Students: Demonstrate advanced understanding of international development by preparing a grant proposal that integrates principles of innovation, sustainability, and effective project management.
- Fourth-Year Students: Undertake a comprehensive capstone project that synthesizes peacebuilding, gender equality, and environmental sustainability principles while showcasing global awareness and ethical leadership.
Total Program Units: 170 units
Core Courses: 60 units
Major Courses: 39 units
Electives: 9 units
The following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are addressed by this program:
Potential Careers
Graduates of this program may venture on the following careers:
- Gender Specialist, Environmental Policy Advisor, Peacebuilding Officer, Program Manager, and Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist
International Organizations and Development Agencies – i.e., United Nations agencies (UNDP, UN Women, UNEP), World Bank,and regional development organizations)
- Advocacy Officer, Project Coordinator, Research Analyst, Community Development Officer
NGOs – Oxfam, CARE International, Amnesty International, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Green Climate Fund
- Policy Advisor, Gender and Environment Consultant, Peacebuilding Strategist
Government and Public Sector
- Researcher, Lecturer, Policy Analyst
Academe and research institutions
- Sustainability Consultant, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager, Diversity and Inclusion Advisor
Corporate sector
- Human Rights Officer, Gender-Based Violence Specialist, Environmental Justice Advocate
International Human Rights Agency and Advocacy
CURRICULUM SUMMARY
Courses | Units |
General Education Courses | 27 |
| |
General Education Elective Courses | 9 |
| |
National Service Training Program | 6 |
| |
Physical Activity Towards Health and Fitness Courses | 8 |
| |
MC Required Courses | 6 |
| |
Core Courses | 48 |
| |
Professional Courses | 39 |
| |
Foreign Language (choose only one) | 6 |
● Korean ● Mandarin ● Nihongo ● Spanish | |
Elective Courses (choose one bundle) | 9 |
Gender [c/o Women and Gender Institute]
Peace [c/o Center for Peace Education]
Environment [c/o Environmental Science Institute]
| |
Capstone Course | 6 |
● Capstone Project 1 (Project Design and Development) ● Capstone Project 2 (Project Implementation and Evaluation) |
|
Practicum | 6 |
● Practicum |
|
Total Number of Units | 170 |
