Societal Perspective on Sustainable Development
- Faculty
Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences
- Version
Version 1 of 24.06.2024.
- Module identifier
22B1399
- Module level
Bachelor
- Language of instruction
English
- ECTS credit points and grading
5.0
- Module frequency
only summerterm
- Duration
1 semester
- Brief description
Sustainable Development (SD) has become a widely recognized societal objective. In this course, sustainable development will be analyzed from a societal perspective. In particular, the main challenges of SD, such as climate change and poverty, will be reconstructed as societal conflicts between different interest groups (e.g. rich and poor, people living in different countries or in different generations). Possible ways of arbitrating and of dealing with these conflicts will also be discussed in the context of a globalized world.
- Teaching and learning outcomes
- Basic concepts of sustainable development
- History and definitions of SD
- Possible approaches to SD (e.g. weak vs. strong sustainability)
- Local vs. global ecological limits, ecological footprint, planetary boundaries
- SD as an ethical objective
- Ethical foundations of SD (from anthropocentric to holistic)
- Reconstruction of SD as a concern for comprehensive justice
- Arbitrating between conflicts of interest
- Politics of SD
- SD in local, national and global political spheres
- Theories of societal transformation
- Individual, corporate and political action
- Basic concepts of sustainable development
- Overall workload
The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").
- Teaching and learning methods
Lecturer based learning Hours of workload Type of teaching Media implementation Concretization 30 Lecture Presence - 15 Practice Presence or online - Lecturer independent learning Hours of workload Type of teaching Media implementation Concretization 50 Study of literature - 30 Preparation/follow-up for course work - 5 Reception of other media or sources - 20 Exam preparation -
- Graded examination
- Written examination or
- Homework / Assignment or
- Portfolio exam
- Remark on the assessment methods
Portfolio exam with a total of 100 points, consisting of a one-hour written exam and a written assignment with a maximum of 50 points each.
- Exam duration and scope
Written examination: in accordance with the valid study regulations
Assignment: The written assignment should be about 12 to 18 pages.
Portfolio exam: The written assignment should be about 6 to 10 pages.
The requirements are specified in the respective lectures.
- Recommended prior knowledge
Students taking this course are expected to have elementary knowledge of economics as taught in most introductory economics or microeconomics courses. Students without such preknowledge or those who need to refresh their memory should take any introductory economics textbook and study the chapters covering the homo oeconomicus decision making model, perfect competition and market failures.
- Knowledge Broadening
Students have a broad understanding of the concept of sustainable development and its various interpretations. They understand the complexity of SD and the underlying conflicts between different groups and objectives.
- Knowledge deepening
Students develop a differentiated understanding of SD challenges.
- Knowledge Understanding
Students are able to analyze and interpret societal SD debates and to develop a well-informed and differentiated point of view on such issues.
- Application and Transfer
Students can apply central SD concepts to specific SD challenges in order to identify the relevant conflicting interests, constraints and required transformations.
- Communication and Cooperation
Students can understand, describe and explain competing points of view on SD.
- Academic Self-Conception / Professionalism
Students acquire a more differentiated understanding of rational judgment that enables them to develop a differentiated and well-grounded own position on SD controversies and to discuss the merits of evidence and arguments.
- Literature
- Anand, Sudhir; Sen, Amartya K. 2000. Human Development and Economic Sustainability. World Development 28 (12): 2029–2049.
- Raworth, Kate. 2017. Doughnut economics: Seven ways to think like a 21st century economist. London: Random House.
- Rockstr?m, Johan; Steffen, Will et al. 2009. A safe operating space for humanity. Nature 461 (7263): 472–475.
- Schneidewind, Uwe; Augenstein, Karoline. 2016. Three Schools of Transformation Thinking: The Impact of Ideas, Institutions, and Technological Innovation on Transformation Processes. Gaia-Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society 25 (2): 88–93.
- Sen, Amartya K. 2013. The Ends and Means of Sustainability. Journal of Human Development and Capabilities 14 (1): 6–20.
- Linkage to other modules
This course is part of the specialization "Sustainable Economy and Sustainable Development". As such, it interlinks with the courses "Corporate Social Responsbility" and "Growth and Development". Taking all three courses will provide students with a broad perspective on and deep understanding of SD and what it means for the economy and for business.
- Applicability in study programs
- Business Law (Bachelor)
- Business Law, LL.B.
- International Business and Management
- International Business and Management, B.A.
- Business Management in the Health Sector
- Business Management in the Health Sector, B.A.
- International Management
- International Management, B.A.
- International Economics and Sustainability
- International Economics and Sustainability B.A. (01.09.2024)
- Business Administration and Management
- Business Administration and Management, B.A.
- Person responsible for the module
- Hirata, Johannes
- Teachers
- Hirata, Johannes