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Syllabus

HU0003 The politics and practice of sustainability, 15.0 Credits

Hållbarhetens politik och praktik

Subjects

Sustainable Development

Education cycle

Bachelor’s level

Modules

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

Advanced study in the main field

First cycle, has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Bachelor’s level (G1F)

Grading scale

Language

Swedish

Prior knowledge

15 credits Sustainable development.

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.

Grading form

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.

Formats and requirements for examination

Examination through:

• passed written exam;

• passed oral and written project;

• passed active participation in mandatory seminars.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Responsible department

Department of Urban and Rural Development