Course manual 2021/2022

Course content

It has been almost half a century since the Brundlandt report introduced the concept of sustainable development by defining it as “human societies must live and meet their needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” While subsequent academic and political thinking has come a long way, the standard line of thought is still that there needs to be a balance between economy, society, and ecology with economic growth coming before the others. This course takes another approach and looks towards different perspective on what a sustainable society is or how to get there.

We will look at several theories that provide a strong analysis of the fundamental flaws of our current system and that offer a radical different approach to create more sustainable societies. This ranges from new perspectives on the economy to the position of non-human actors in politics and law. The course will follow a lecture/seminar format. As the last 50 years have not taken us closer to the ambition of the Brundlandt report, but ever deeper towards a climate crisis, it is time to rethink our approach and consider systemic changes.

Study materials

Literature

  • Material will be provided through Canvas

Objectives

  • Critically reflect on the shortcomings of the current socio-economic system
  • Holistically reflect on the relation between society and nature
  • Express their understanding of the course material in written and oral form
  • Analyse an environmental issue from the different perspectives presented in this course

Teaching methods

  • Lecture
  • Seminar

Learning activities

Activity

Hours

Lecture

14

Assignment

24

Seminars

14

Self study

116

Total

168

(6 EC x 28 uur)

Attendance

Additional requirements for this course:

The student may only be absent from one of the seminars. Absence must be communicated to the seminar lecturer

Assessment

Item and weight Details

Final grade

0.3 (30%)

Perusall

0.7 (70%)

Essay

Must be ≥ 5.5

1 (100%)

Seminar assignment

Must be ≥ pass

Students that were enrolled in the course in previous years

The IIS uses the rule that course components that were passed with a sufficient grade ánd meeting the attendance requirements ánd practical exams, can be used for one year. In case students want to finish the course after two years, they need to meet the same requirements as the first year.

Passed component in... ...last year ...2+ years before
Attendance requirements Stays valid, as long as student contacts xxxx before xx-xx-xx. No longer valid, have to meet the requirements of point 8.
Mid term exam Sufficient grade stays valid in case student contacts xxxx before xx-xx-xx. No longer valid.
Eindtentamen Sufficient grade stays valid in case student contacts xxxx before xx-xx-xx. No longer valid.
Paper Sufficient grade stays valid in case student contacts xxxx before xx-xx-xx. No longer valid..

Inspection of assessed work

Feedback will be provided through Canvas. If additional information is desired, the student can contact his/her/their seminar lecturer

Assignments

The Perusall assignment is weekly and is used to structure the seminar. The Essay will be provided with feedback along with the grade. Descriptions are posted on Canvas

Fraud and plagiarism

This course adheres to the general rules on ‘Fraud and Plagiarism` as set by the UvA. Students are expected to have familiarized themselves with these rules.

The terms Fraud or Plagiarism are to be interpreted as the copying of the work of peer-student and/or the copying of (scientific) sources of information, without explicitly referring to its source.

Fraud/plagiarism is forbidden and actively checked by staff. When one is suspected of having committed fraud/plagiarism, the exam committee of beta-gamma and future planet studies will be informed. The highest punishment for fraud/plagiarism involves the student to be disallowed to partake of any exams or examination activities within the future planet studies programme, for the duration of a whole academic year, or may even face dismissal from the programme. More information about Fraud and Plagiarism can be found at: www.uva.nl/plagiaat

Course structure

Please see Canvas

Timetable

The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

Last year's course evaluation


This is the first year

Contact information

Coordinator

  • dr. M. Giezen

Staff

  • J.V. Rothuizen
  • Rosa van Schaick