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Khon Kaen University

Bachelor of Arts in Social Development

SDG Alignment for Bachelor of Arts in Social Development

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Development program is holistically and explicitly designed to produce graduates who are agents of change, dedicated to creating a just, equitable, and sustainable society. The curriculum's philosophy, which emphasizes critical thinking, community engagement, and a deep understanding of social, economic, and political structures, provides a comprehensive framework for addressing the Sustainable Development Goals. The program's core mission is a direct and powerful embodiment of the central tenets of the SDGs, particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Through a wide range of specialized courses, it provides the tools to analyze and address issues related to gender (SDG 5), health (SDG 3), labor (SDG 8), and the environment (SDG 13 & 15). Furthermore, the curriculum is a flagship of SDG 4 (Quality Education), and its strong focus on policy, governance, and peace studies makes a significant contribution to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). The program's hands-on, community-focused approach embodies the spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 1 Icon SDG 1: No Poverty

Alignment Summary: This program directly addresses the multidimensional nature of poverty by equipping students with the theories and practical skills to analyze its root causes and to design effective, community-based poverty reduction strategies. It emphasizes social and economic empowerment as key to eradicating poverty in all its forms.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
HS432101Theories of Social DevelopmentProvides a comprehensive analysis of the theories and policies aimed at promoting economic growth and well-being, which is essential for poverty eradication (Target 1.A).
HS432201Community DevelopmentContributes to poverty reduction by teaching methods for mobilizing community resources and building social protection systems at the local level (Target 1.3).
HS432501Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy and Social DevelopmentAddresses poverty by promoting a development model based on moderation, reasonableness, and self-immunity, which builds resilience for all households (Target 1.4).

SDG 3 Icon SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Alignment Summary: The curriculum contributes to good health by exploring the social determinants of health and well-being. By understanding how factors like poverty, inequality, and community structures impact health, graduates are prepared to contribute to public health policy and community-based health promotion.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
HS433305Health and Social DevelopmentDirectly supports good health by analyzing the social, cultural, and economic factors that influence health outcomes, contributing to more effective and equitable health policies (Target 3.4).

SDG 4 Icon SDG 4: Quality Education

Alignment Summary: The program itself is a vehicle for quality education, fostering the knowledge, skills, and values needed to promote sustainable development. It equips students to become lifelong learners and educators within communities, facilitating knowledge sharing and capacity building.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
HS432204Research for Social DevelopmentEnhances education for sustainable development by equipping students with the skills to conduct research that informs social policy and community action (Target 4.7).
HS433202Knowledge Management and Community LearningDirectly supports lifelong learning opportunities by teaching how to manage and facilitate learning processes within communities (Target 4.3).
HS434785Cooperative Education in Social DevelopmentProvides quality education through extensive practical work experience, ensuring students acquire the vocational skills for employment in the development sector (Target 4.4).

SDG 5 Icon SDG 5: Gender Equality

Alignment Summary: The program directly addresses gender equality by providing a dedicated course on the topic. It provides a deep understanding of how gender roles and power relations impact development, equipping graduates to analyze, advocate for, and implement policies that promote the empowerment of all women and girls.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
HS433307Gender and Social DevelopmentDirectly supports gender equality by critically examining the role of gender in development processes and advocating for policies that end all forms of discrimination and empower women (Target 5.1 & 5.5).

SDG 8 Icon SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Alignment Summary: The curriculum contributes to decent work by providing a critical understanding of labor issues within the context of development. It prepares students to advocate for labor rights, social protection, and safe work environments, contributing to an economy that is both productive and just.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
HS433309Labor Studies and Social DevelopmentDirectly contributes to decent work by focusing on labor rights, social protection for workers, and the promotion of safe and secure working environments (Target 8.8).

SDG 10 Icon SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Alignment Summary: This program is fundamentally about understanding and reducing inequalities. It is dedicated to the critical examination of social, economic, and political structures that create disparities, providing the knowledge and skills to empower and promote the inclusion of all people.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
HS432101Theories of Social DevelopmentForms the foundation for understanding the root causes of inequality and the policies needed to promote equal opportunity (Target 10.3).
HS432103Policy and Planning for Social DevelopmentDirectly addresses inequality by teaching how to design and implement fiscal, wage, and social protection policies that progressively achieve greater equality (Target 10.4).
HS433307Gender and Social DevelopmentFocuses on empowering and promoting the social and economic inclusion of women and girls, a key aspect of reducing inequality (Target 10.2).

SDG 11 Icon SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Alignment Summary: The program is essential for creating sustainable cities and communities. It provides the core knowledge of community development, as well as urban and rural planning, which are all critical for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement management.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
HS433401Urban and Rural DevelopmentDirectly supports inclusive and sustainable urbanization by focusing on the integrated planning and management of both urban and rural communities (Target 11.3).
HS432201Community DevelopmentStrengthens positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning (Target 11.A).

SDG 12 Icon SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Alignment Summary: The program addresses responsible consumption and production by teaching the principles of the Sufficiency Economy and sustainable resource management. It promotes a development model that is in harmony with the environment and encourages the efficient use of natural resources.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
HS432501Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy and Social DevelopmentPromotes sustainable consumption and production patterns through a philosophy that emphasizes moderation and responsible use of resources (Target 12.2).

SDG 13 Icon SDG 13: Climate Action

Alignment Summary: The curriculum contributes to climate action by exploring the relationship between development, environmental management, and climate change. It prepares students to integrate climate change measures into local and national development policies and planning.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
HS433301Natural Resources and Environmental Management for DevelopmentImproves education and awareness-raising on climate change mitigation and adaptation by teaching how to manage natural resources sustainably (Target 13.3).

SDG 15 Icon SDG 15: Life On Land

Alignment Summary: The program supports the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems through its dedicated course on natural resource management. It provides the framework for integrating the conservation of ecosystems into development planning and community action.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
HS433301Natural Resources and Environmental Management for DevelopmentPromotes the integration of ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning by teaching how to manage natural resources as part of a sustainable development strategy (Target 15.9).

SDG 16 Icon SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Alignment Summary: This program is essential for building peaceful, just, and strong institutions. It provides a deep understanding of governance, public policy, and conflict resolution. Graduates are equipped to contribute to the development of effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
HS433402Good Governance and New Public ManagementContributes to developing effective, accountable and transparent institutions by teaching the principles of good governance and modern public sector management (Target 16.6).
HS433306Peace Studies and Social DevelopmentPromotes peaceful and inclusive societies by teaching the theories and practices of conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and restorative justice (Target 16.1).
HS433308Criminology and Justice for Social DevelopmentPromotes the rule of law and ensures equal access to justice by analyzing the justice system from a social development perspective (Target 16.3).

SDG 17 Icon SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Alignment Summary: The program fosters partnerships through its cooperative education program and its strong emphasis on community-based action. This creates a vital bridge between the university and government agencies, NGOs, and local communities, facilitating the multi-stakeholder collaborations needed to achieve the SDGs.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
HS434785Cooperative Education in Social DevelopmentDirectly encourages and promotes effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships by immersing students in real-world development organizations (Target 17.17).
HS433403World Development IssuesEnhances the global partnership for sustainable development by providing an understanding of global interconnectedness and the need for international cooperation (Target 17.6).