Development and Sustainability in Africa
This 12-credit certificate in Development and Sustainability in Africa will engage students with the issues, debates, and analysis related to sustainable, equitable, and decolonial development in Africa. Students will learn about relationships between development and the different environments on the continent. Students will consider the inter-relationships between development and equality, as well as the key drivers of change. This certificate will provide students an opportunity to engage with current topics from a specifically African perspective. Students will receive training in development theory and practice to understand the place of Africa in global environmental change. Students will learn to critically analyze the complex interrelationships and tradeoffs between development and environmental costs. Students can choose to focus on an area of study such as: resource extraction and governance (e.g. mining), food and agriculture, water, renewable energy (e.g. solar), and development practice. This certificate will include an optional study abroad opportunity.
Degree Types: Certificate
About the Program
Why should I pursue this degree?
You might like this program if…
- You are interested in gaining skills to think critically about and practice development and sustainability in the African context.
- You’d like to gain hands-on experience in sustainability and development through study-abroad opportunities to countries such as South Africa, Morocco, Ghana and Tanzania.
- You are interested in the complex interactions between development and sustainability.
- You want to better understand the ways Africa is embedded in global networks that impact development and sustainability globally.
Coursework
Opportunities to explore the following topics:
- Biodiversity Conservation in Africa
- African Resources and Development
- Agroforestry
- Ecotourism in Africa
- Global Forest Conservation
Have questions about this program?
Future students, contact the Liberal Arts Recruitment Team.
Current students, contact your academic adviser.
This program is housed in the African Studies Program
at Penn State University Park.