Exploration of integrating sustainable development goals into interdisciplinary communication courses

In response to the international situation, climate change, and the impact of limited energy resources, countries have seen a rise in environmental awareness, leading to the emergence of green design and the circular economy. In 2015, the United Nations identified major global issues and proposed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which encompass economic, social, and environmental dimensions. These 17 goals are to be reviewed in 2030 to assess the progress and actions taken by countries. Taiwan is also facing various changes and developed the "Taiwan Sustainable Development Goals" in 2019 to align with international sustainable development trends. Education crucial role in cultivating core knowledge, attitudes, and skills in students. Building on this foundation, this st udy aims to implement SDGs in communication courses and explore the feasibility and impact of integrating SDGs into university- level communication curricula. The experimental process was divided into two phases. The first phase involved 111 students from the Department of Mass Communication, while the second phase included 58 students from 11 different colleges, representing diverse interdisciplinary backgrounds. The experimental results indicated that: (1) Over 68% of the participants used social networks for more than 3 hours daily; (2) Instagram was the most used social media platform (over 91%), followed by YouTube (over 87%) and Line (over 84%); (3) The most viewed content type was "entertainment" (over 91%), followed by "lifestyle" (over 69%) and "knowledge" (over 47%); (4) The impact of communication courses on SDGs development focused on "interdisciplinary integration," "digital revolution," and "circular economy" as the top three areas. Media is not only a tool for creating awareness of the SDGs but also plays a crucial role in the communication process, becoming a pillar in building a socially sustainable development. Strengthening the promotion of sustainable development education through school education is essential not only for environmental awareness but also for enabling people to make informed decisions that achieve environmental integrity, economic feasibility, and social justice and soundness.