SDGs in the Multimedia Journalism Courses

In 2015, the Member States of the United Nations collectively embraced the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. At the heart of this agenda lie the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDG goals acknowledge that eradicating poverty and addressing various forms of deprivation must be pursued in conjunction with efforts to enhance healthcare and education, mitigate inequality and promote economic advancement, all while confronting the challenges of climate change and preserving our precious oceans and forests.

LAU’s Program in Multimedia Journalism has integrated the SDGs into the course learning outcomes and curricula of both core courses and electives, both of which contribute to raising awareness and literacy about the SDGs as well as providing knowledge and resources on their implementation.

All Multimedia Journalism courses target various SDGs. In particular:

1. All courses address SDG5 related to gender equality.
2. All courses address SDG10 related to reduced inequalities.
3. All courses address SDG16 related to peace, justice and strong institutions.
4. While the courses JSC224 and JSC312 address SDGs 5, 10 and 16 in particular—including material on gender inequality and oppressed groups in media—and teach how to use media for advocacy and building stronger media practices/institutions, students can choose topics for digital skills assignments, which may intersect with any of the SDGs 1 to 16.
5. Topics courses (JSC488) vary in their specific content depending on the particular topic and focus. The topics courses that are currently offered address at least SDGs 5, 10 and 16. These courses include materials on gender inequality and oppressed groups (including race, ability and class) and teach how to use media for advocacy and building stronger communication. Given the interdisciplinary component of the courses, students may be able to identify topics for assignments that may be related to any of the SDGs 1 to 16.