Exploring Sustainability: Solutions for Tomorrow

Department
  • Bachelor's program Management, Communication & IT
Course unit code
  • IEL-B-3+5-WPM-IEL
Number of ECTS credits allocated
  • 5.0
Name of lecturer(s)
  • Stern Lena, MSc, Gratzer Hannah, MSc
Recommended optional program components
  • none
Recommended or required reading
  • Brzoska, M., & Fröhlich, C. (2016). Climate change, migration and violent conflict:
    vulnerabilities, pathways and adaptation strategies. Migration and Development, 5(2), 190-
    210. (21 p.)
    Dunlap, R. E. (2013). Climate change skepticism and denial: An introduction. American
    behavioral scientist, 57(6), 691-698. (8 p.)
    Scoones, I. 2016. The Politics of Sustainability and Development. Annu. Rev. Environ. Resour. 2016. 41:293-319
    Bakker K. 2010. The limits of "neoliberal natures": debating green neoliberalism. Prog. Hum. Geogr.34(6):715-35
    Gunderson, R, Stuart, D & Petersen , B. 2019. The Political Economy of Geoengineering as Plan B: Technological Rationality, Moral Hazard, and New Technology, New Political Economy, 24:5, 696-715, DOI: 10.1080/13563467.2018.1501356.
    Oreskes, N. (2018). The scientific consensus on climate change: How do we know we're not
    wrong? Climate Modelling (pp. 31-64): Springer. (36 p.)Higher Ground - Alison Taylor
    Human kind - Rutger Bregman
    Less is more - Jason Hickel
    Utopia for realists - Rutger Bregman
    What we owe the future - William MacAskill
Level of course unit
  • Bachelor
Year of study
  • Fall 2025
Semester when the course unit is delivered
  • 3
Language of instruction
  • English
Learning outcomes of the course unit
  • -Systemic understanding of sustainability: understanding of the interconnectedness of environmental, social and economic systems using a systemic thinking approach
    -Self-responsibility: heightened awareness of responsibilities and a pro-active mindset for addressing sustainability challenges
    -Leadership: emphasize holistic views of future challenges and ensure inclusivity
    -Communication: navigate in polarizing discussions; empathy and active listening to facilitate constructive dialogues
    -Implementation: practical knowledge of best practices in political, business, and personal contexts
Course contents
  • Foundations of sustainability (definition, historical context, concepts of sustainability, responsibilities)

    Deep Dive:

    Environmental sustainability (biodiversity, climate change and resources)
    Social sustainability (equity and social justice, education, health, diversity and inclusion)
    Economic sustainability (sustainable and responsible business models e.g. circular economy, doughnut economy, degrowth)
    Personal responsibility in sustainability (personal sustainability practices, communication, argumentation, confidence)
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
  • The course comprises an interactive mix of lectures, discussions and individual and group work.
Work placement(s)
  • none

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