InGenious - Sustainable Cities and Communities – cross disciplinary project, 5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Entry requirements

• 90 ECTS credits passed from undergraduate studies, or equivalent
• English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6)
  Exemption from Swedish

Intended learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

• identify current challenges related to sustainable cities and communities, and propose sustainable solutions by applying degrowth economic principles
• develop and present sustainable and value-creating concepts for sustainable cities and communities
• communicate sustainable concepts, both in writing and orally, to stakeholders from diverse backgrounds
• discuss and reflect on group processes and group dynamics in open innovation processes where individuals from different professions collaborate interdisciplinarily
• reflect on their own learning process

Course content

The course addresses the challenges of the global goal of sustainable cities and communities by focusing on ecological sustainability, localized economies, social justice, and well-being. The course explores degrowth economics within interdisciplinary future projects for sustainable cities and communities, carried out in interdisciplinary teams. Additionally, ethical aspects related to understanding challenges and developing opportunities are discussed. Theories and models regarding sustainability, entrepreneurship, group dynamics, and communication are also covered.

Teaching and working methods

The teaching is based on challenge-based learning (CBL) and is organized in lectures, videos, workshops, seminars, and group work. Furthermore, the students are expected to conduct self-studies.

The course is primarily taught online, except for one week of mobility in collaboration with a partner university in the form of a Blended Intensive Program.

The language of teaching and examination: English.

Examination

The course is examined through 

• written group assignment, grading scale: Pass with Distinction (PWD), Pass (P), Fail (F)
• active participation in seminars and pitches, grading scale: Pass (P), Fail (F)
• individual written reflection, grading scale: Pass with Distinction (PWD), Pass (P), Fail (F)

To pass the course, a minimum of a Pass (P) is required on all components. For Pass with Distinction (PWD), a Pass with Distinction is required on both the group written assignment and the individual written reflection.

Detailed information is provided in the course 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