Critical Perspectives on Sustainable Development, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Master's Programme in Science for Sustainable Development

Entry requirements

• Bachelor's degree equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen in one of the following areas: 
  - natural sciences, 
  - social sciences, 
  - humanities or
  - engineering
• 15 ECTS credits passed in environmental sciences, sustainable development, or equivalent.
• English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (English 6)
  Exemption from Swedish

Intended learning outcomes

After completion of the course, the student should on an advanced level be able to:

• describe the evolution of sustainable development as a concept, policy agenda and field of research.
• critically analyze and compare different scientific perspectives on sustainable development and their political implications.
• reflect upon the ethics and knowledge politics of science for sustainable development.
• integrate knowledge gained through reading, discussions, and cases, and express it orally and in writing.
• write academic texts where rules for citations and references are correctly applied.

Course content

The course focuses on an analytical and critical foundation from which the students can approach sustainable development. Drawing on past and present developments in nature/society, the course exemplifies how any chosen event or situation is dependent on the interplay between natural and social processes. The students are introduced to a number of theories that can be used to describe and analyze the construction of knowledge and technology for sustainable development. These theories will be applied to an analysis of a case on sustainable development. The students also develop the academic skills of referencing, analysis, and critical evaluation.

Important dimensions that are discussed include the links between social interests, politics, knowledge and technology. The influence of social class, gender, culture and other social relations on science and technology is examined and also how science and technology can structure such relations. The course underlines the importance of understanding the role of expertise and the dynamics involved in working towards sustainable development, such as issues relating power asymmetries between high- and low-income countries.

Teaching and working methods

The teaching at the course consists of lectures, seminars and a case-related workshop. Homework and independent study are a necessary complement to the course.

Language of instruction: English

Examination

The course is examined through individual reflection papers, seminar participation, an oral presentation of a case study and a take-home exam in the form of an individually written essay. Detailed information about the examination can be found in the course’s study guide.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

About teaching and examination language

The teaching language is presented in the Overview tab for each course. The examination language relates to the teaching language as follows: 

• If teaching language is “Swedish”, the course as a whole could be given in Swedish, or partly, or as a whole, in English. Examination language is Swedish, but parts of the examination can be in English.
• If teaching language is “English”, the course as a whole is taught in English. Examination language is English.
• If teaching language is “Swedish/English”, the course as a whole will be taught in English if students without prior knowledge of the Swedish language participate. Examination language is Swedish or English depending on teaching language.

Department