Syllabus for A Sustainable Future - Theory and Transdisciplinary Visions

Decisions and guidelines

​Included in the minor field Sustainable Development.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course the student shall be able to:

• identify and explain the emergence, different theories, and interpretations of the concept of sustainable development;
• account for the traditions and methods of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinarity;
• describe and communicate human dependence on the natural environment;
• describe and explain the complexity of relationships of humans, society, things and our natural environment;
• critically account for current social, environmental, and economic issues within the sustainability field;
• identify, analyse and critically relate to power relations, ethical dilemmas and conflicts which may occur in the work within the sustainability field.

Content

The course explores the concept of sustainability and how humans can create sustainable cultures in todays complex world. Sustainability challenges resist disciplinary categories and simple solutions. This course provides an introduction to real-world, complex sustainability challenges through literature drawn from natural and social sciences and the humanities, from interdisciplinary theory, and from insights into cases of sustainability issues around the world. The course explores how human cultures may work within ecological systems by shifting human communities and economic activities into alignment with these systems. The basis of this course is exploring alternative futures and different pathways to working towards these futures through, for example, nature-based solutions, regenerative alternatives to economic growth, social justice movements, historical ecology, and care ethics.

Instruction

The teaching includes lectures, excursion, exercises, workshops, seminars, and project assignments.

Assessment

Written assignments and oral presentations, both individual and group (8 credits) and active participation in exercises, workshops and seminars (7 credits).

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.