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Please note: the information in the course manual is binding.
At the end of this course, you will be able to:
- demonstrate the distinctive character of a social scientific perspective on sustainability;
- recognize and describe different social-scientific theories that are relevant for sustainability science;
- identify appropriate theories and apply them to interpret environmental problems from a social-scientific perspective;
- collect and interpret data for social scientific research;
- independently articulate arguments relating to sustainability from a social science perspective in written form.
These learning objectives will be assessed.
You will also develop the following skills, which will not be formally assessed:
- Information skills;
- System thinking;
- Setting up research;
- Reporting on research – presenting;
- Professional and scientific attitude;
- Team work;
- Evaluation and reflection.
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Sustainability science focuses on the dynamic interactions between nature and society, which are at the root of many environmental issues. For example, how does human behaviour affect the environment? When do decision-makers respond to which environmental issues and why? Is technological development a cause or a solution to environmental degradation? And what are ‘the environment’ and ‘nature’ in the first place?
Social science perspectives have been employed to help answer these and many other questions regarding nature-society interactions in multiple socio-economic and geographical contexts. Therefore, this course provides insight into the some of the most relevant social sciences and social scientific perspectives commonly used in global sustainability science. It introduces the students to social science – broadly the study of the relationship between individuals in their context within society – and its application to our understanding of environmental issues.
A social science perspective does not only contribute to increasing our capacity to understand environmental issues. It also informs policy-making and action to transition our societies towards sustainability. If sustainable modes of coexistence of society and nature are to be realized, it is crucial not only to understand, but also to change those dynamic nature-society interactions - and the social sciences have a key role to play in thinking about such change. In the words of the world-renowned geographer and sustainability scientist Karen O’Brien:
“As the global discourse shifts from understanding and explaining environmental problems to addressing them quickly and effectively, there is a need to integrate insights from the social sciences and humanities into a new science of global change – a science that recognizes subjectivity and emphasizes the notion of change, including transformational social change” (O’Brien, 2011:542).
This course will equip you with the skills to identify and apply some of the key social science concepts and theories that are commonly used in sustainability science. The first part of the course will introduce you to the study of society, of society’s interactions with the environment, and of societal change, thus also demonstrating the specificity of a social scientific perspective on sustainability. The second part of the course examines various social processes of change in nature-society interactions, thus introducing and discussing a range of different, but often complementary theories that are commonly used to conceptualize change toward sustainability.
Foundations of Social Sciences for Sustainability is taught through interactive lectures and tutorials, and makes ample use of real world examples and case studies. The students can expect to be engaged in diverse learning activities which include concept mapping, small group discussions, writing exercises, and hands-on critiques of their own implicit assumptions about social processes that are critical for sustainability.
This course includes an Honours component together with the course Natural Processes.
This course is an entry requirement for:
- Bachelor’s thesis GSS (GEO3-2422)
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