Syllabus for Sustainable Development: Worldviews and Visions - a Seminar Series

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• critically analyse the conceptual and practical dimensions of sustainable development at local, regional and global level;
• critically evaluate ethical questions with relevance for sustainable development;
• critically relate to and value different actors' visions of a sustainable future.

Content

The course deals with the concept of sustainable development from a historical perspective, by studying how ideologies and views in society have shaped the sustainability discussion. The basic assumptions about how man, nature, development, technology and economy are interrelated are analysed by applying discourse analysis. The course uses different theories and case studies to analyse different interpretations of the normative and practical dimensions of development; at local, regional and global level. The course gives the student the opportunity to participate in ethical and philosophical discussions on sustainability issues.

Instruction

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars and workshops. The lectures are given by guest lecturers from various academic disciplines and relevant areas of society. Ample opportunities are provided for active student participation and critical reflection. Participation in seminars and workshops is compulsory. Non-compulsory study visits or equivalent may occur.

Assessment

The student is examined through written preparation for (1 credit) and active participation in seminars and workshops (1 credit),

and through written documentation (2.5 credits) and oral presentation (0.5 credits) of a project.

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 University's disability coordinator.

Other directives

Active participation is reassessed through a re-seminar. If a student after having been offered a re-seminar still does not meet the requirements to pass the active participation elements the examiner can choose reassessment by another method.