Entry requirements

General entry requirements

Learning outcomes

This course provides insights into how development is connected to environmental problems. Thereby, it introduces the students to the multidimensional aspects of sustainable development and their link to environmental challenges on global, national and local levels. A special focus is put on the sustainable management of common pool resources. In addition, specific environmental challenges are put into the spotlight for illustrating the complexity of the issues and their implications for sustainability.

Learning outcomes

After the course, the students are expected to be able to:

• Understand and describe the relevant history and discourses of sustainable development.
• Critically discuss different approaches to the management of common pool resources and their implications for sustainability.
• Link current environmental challenges to important theories, concepts and topics.
• Articulate and discuss how sustainable development is related to global, national, and local levels of governance.

Content

This course focuses on environmental issues and sustainable development. The concept of sustainable development was established in 1987 when the World Commission on Environment and Development determined that the world was facing an enormous challenge: To make development sustainable on global, national and local level, and to ensure that the needs of both present and future generations are provided for. The course covers three themes: (1) the historical roots of and current discourses on sustainable development, (2) the theories of managing common pool resources and their implications for sustainable development, and (3) connections to specific environmental challenges.

Instruction

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars, and a film. The course is given in English.

Assessment

Students are examined through a written exam. Assignments, attendance and active participation in seminars award credit points for the written exam. Grades are awarded according the scale "failed", "pass" or "pass with distinction". 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 regulations

Further instructions will be given at the start of the course.