SO/BS 334 - Globalization & Sustainability: Ireland in Context

If a country is defined by a color, it is Ireland. Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle, a green country of fields and wild landscapes. Ironically, Ireland has the highest CO2 emissions per person in the EU, mainly due to the agricultural industry. Ireland is also one of the most globalized and wealthiest countries in the world. It is the third largest exporter of pharmaceuticals in the world, the sixth largest exporter of financial services, the center of the global aircraft leasing industry and the location of the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) headquarters for Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, Intel, HubSpot, Salesforce, among others. But the opportunities in Ireland, as a result of globalization, have led to pressures on housing, transportation, energy provision and other infrastructure. With the population potentially doubling in the years to come, especially if a United Ireland transpires, Ireland will face challenges in sustainably managing its development and retaining its competitive position within the globalized world. 

This course will help you understand the relationship between globalization and sustainability, how globalization is impacting on climate change and the resulting consequences for globalization itself. It will analyze how globalization is a vital component in developing sustainable solutions. Students will appreciate how Ireland, embedded in globalization, can face the challenges and opportunities of a sustainable future and live up to its worldwide perception of being a green country.

Please note: This course is pending review by our Curriculum Committee and there may be some small changes to the syllabus.