HU0003, The politics and practice of sustainability, 15.0 Hp
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Syllabus

Level

First cycle (G1F)

Main field of study

Sustainable Development

Grading Scale

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Course language

Swedish

Entry Requirements

Objectives

The aim of the course is to develop students theoretical and practical understanding of the complexity of sustainability issues of today. The course emphasises political aspects of sustainability – how different values, opportunities for different actors to participate in decision-making, and goal conflicts shapes sustainable development. The course provides a thorough understanding of different theoretical perspectives on sustainable development and how sustainability is expressed in policy (in Sweden and internationally). During the course the students analyse current sustainability challenges from a practical and problem-oriented perspective, including social, economic and environmental consequences.

Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:

• account for different goal conflicts and how these can be handled in the management of sustainability based on critical social theories on dialogue, participation and conflict;
• critically analyse the different ways in which sustainability is expressed and implemented in Swedish and international policy, as well as in different research and disciplinary fields;
• through problem-based case studies, analyse a current problem relating to sustainable development and its social, economic and environmental dimensions and consequences;
• orally and in writing present findings to different concerned actors.

Content

The course consists of a mixture of lectures, seminars and independent work, individually and in groups. The literature provides a basis for lectures, seminars and will also be used in other assignments, such as case studies and practical work.

The course consists of two parts:

The first part discusses how sustainable development is conceptually used in different theoretical fields and traditions. It presents important critical and theoretical perspectives on the role and function of politics in sustainable development, for example, political ecology and environmental communication. Emphasis is on how values, participation and conflicts influence different proposed solutions to sustainability issues, in policy and practice.

The second part consists of practical work. The aim is to have student groups working with current sustainability problems engaging with different actors/stakeholders. By working in groups students take shared responsibility for investigating, analysing and reporting possible solutions to current real-world problems, and gain insights into specific sustainability challenges and from a coupled social, economic and environmental perspective. The students will practice their skills of practical problem-solving, presentation, academic writing and discussing findings from different viewpoints and with different actors, including administration and decision-makers at the external partner organisations. This part may entail travels.

Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course

Examination through: - passed written exam; - passed oral and written project; - passed active participation in mandatory seminars.

Responsible Department/Equivalent

Department of Urban and Rural Development

Supplementary information

Module set

Title	Credits	Code
The politics and practice of sustainable development	6.0	0001
Practical exercises	3.0	0002
Groupwork: the practice of sustainable development	6.0	0003