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

Learning outcomes

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

• critically analyse different views on sustainable development and different ideologies within the field of environment, development and sustainability;
• critically analyse controversies, similarities and differences within the sustainability debate based upon the different assumptions and perspectives on the relationship between man, nature, development, technology and economics;
• use discourse analysis as a tool to understand the debate and practical applications of the concept of Sustainable development;

Content

During the course the student will use social science theory in order to be able to critically relate to different assumptions about sustainable development. Basic assumptions about how man, nature, development, technology and economy are interrelated are analysed by applying discourse analysis. The student will be able to structure argumentation by applying discourse analysis as a tool.

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.