As global environmental challenges grow increasingly complex, the University of South Florida鈥檚 Patel College of Global Sustainability is expanding its curriculum with a introductary course designed to prepare students to become changemakers in their communities and beyond.
Taught by Dr. Lauren Bates, IDS 2231: Introduction to Global Sustainability invites students from all majors to examine some of the most pressing sustainability issues facing the world today, while learning how to develop practical solutions that can be applied both locally and globally.
This course focuses on the key global issues for sustainability, namely:
- Population growth
- Ecosystems
- Climate change
- Water
- Energy
- Agriculture
- Business
- Economics
- Policy
- Ethics
- Culture
Each issue emphasizes the real-world consequences of environmental decisions, giving students the tools to analyze global trends and local impacts.
A Gateway to Sustainability Pathways
Introduction to Global Sustainability satisfies a General Education requirement and is also approved as a Global Citizens Project (GCP) course, making it a valuable option for students looking to fulfill degree requirements while exploring potential career and academic pathways in sustainability.
Whether students are pursuing science, business, policy, engineering, arts, or humanities, the course provides an accessible entry point into the world of sustainability and prepares them to think critically about real-world solutions.
Enrollment Now Open
黑料社 interested in environmental challenges, global development, community resilience, or innovative problem-solving can enroll now for the Spring 2026 semester.
For more information, contact Dr. Lauren Bates at lbates@usf.edu.