Socio-Technical Systems & Sustainability Transitions
Kursbeskrivning
Grand societal challenges such as climate change, loss of biodiversity and resource depletion are brought about by unsustainable production and consumption practices that are deeply rooted in socio-technical systems. These problems cannot be addressed by incremental improvements and technical fixes alone, but require substantial shifts to more sustainable socio-technical systems; such shifts are called sustainability transitions. This course introduces the course participants to interdisciplinary theories and methods from sustainability transitions studies, which enables participants to relate their own research and practices to ongoing transitions. It applies tools and frameworks from systems thinking that enable students to relate their research to ongoing sustainability transition studies.
Kursfakta
P000163, Socio-Technical Systems & Sustainability Transitions, 3.0 Hp
Skriv ut kursplan
Kursplan
Nivå
Forskarnivå
Ämne
Teknologi
Betygsskala
Kraven för kursens olika betygsgrader framgår av betygskriterier, som ska finnas tillgängliga senast vid kursstart.
Kursspråk
Engelska
Behörighetskrav
Mål
Upon successful completion of this course, the participants will be able to:
- Explain the socio-technical systems perspective on sustainability transitions
- Review and discuss how socio-technical system thinking is applied in research on sustainability transitions
- Demonstrate capacity for applying socio-technical systems thinking in practice
Innehåll
This course is organised into three meetings where Teaching and Learning Activities (TLA) are designed to help course participants to achieve the intended learning objectives (ILO).
- The first meeting relates to ILO 1 and introduces the students to perspectives on socio-technical systems thinking that underpins sustainability transition theories. The TLAs include individual preparations to read pre-selected literature, a lecture that summarises key themes and a workshop to discuss perspectives on sustainability transitions. This learning objective is assessed via a written assignment.
- At the second meeting we focus on ILO 2 where course participants will apply socio-technical systems thinking in relation to an on-going sustainability transition. TLAs include individual preparations where course participants will conduct literature review to learn about an ongoing transition in relation to their field of research. The results from the literature review are presented and discussed in two interrelated seminars. This learning objective is assessed via oral presentation and written assignment.
- At the third meeting we focus on ILO 3 where course participants will participate in a workshop designed to develop capacity for applying socio-technical systems thinking in practice. This learning objective is assessed be active participation in the workshop.
Examinationsformer
- Oral presentations (Meeting 2) - Two written submissions (after meeting 1and 2) - Workshop attendance (Meeting 3) **Marking scale:** Pass/Fail. Pass when course assignments and physical presence are fulfilled.
Ansvarig institution eller motsvarande
Institutionen för energi och teknik
Kompletterande uppgifter
Övrig information
Contact & Application
Per-Anders Langendahl (per.anders.langendahl@slu.se)
Jennifer McConville (jennifer.mcconville@slu.se)