Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Sustainable Development, 3.0 credits

Entry requirements

Basic eligibility for courses at the doctoral level is granted to those who have:

• Obtained a degree at an advanced level,
• Completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits (ECTS), of which at least 60 ECTS are at an advanced level, or acquired equivalent knowledge through other means

Specific information

The target group for the course is doctoral students admitted to the doctoral program at Linköping University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences. The course might be available to other applicants, depending on availability.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to demonstrate:

Knowledge and understanding of

• Sustainable development concepts
• How sustainable development and related concepts are used in scientific practices, discussions, as well as in public debates.

Skills and abilities to

• Apply a selection of relevant ideas related to sustainable development to their ongoing dissertation work.

*Evaluation capability and scientific approach *

• Reflect on trends, controversies and interpretations of a selection of key concepts within interdisciplinary environmental research on sustainable development.

Contents

The course focuses on concepts central to environmental science analysis and societal dialogues in natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, as well as in public debates on sustainability. The students will explore the historical development, definition, and application of these concepts and analytical approaches in science and politics. By applying an interdisciplinary approach, the course will examine the interplay of natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

Lectures will provide context for key concepts and analytical approaches essential for understanding and assessing sustainable development in different contexts. Seminars will allow students to discuss the literature readings, share their insights, and assess the strengths and weaknesses of concepts and analytical methods. The discussion will be related to their ongoing doctoral projects.

Educational methods

Literature seminars, lectures, and writing short reflections after seminar discussions.

Examination

Active participation in seminars in which participants must orally demonstrate that they have read and reflected on the literature. Participants also write a final reflection essay (up to 6 pages) with the aim of relating relevant parts of the course to their ongoing doctoral projects. The essays are presented and discussed at the final seminar. Participants have access to 0.5 hours of supervision during the writing process.

All components are mandatory, and attendance is required.

Active participation is sought during the seminars and presentation of individual essays (project reflection).

There is an opportunity for re-examination of mandatory components following the course after a dialogue with the course coordinator. Subsequently, participation in the examinations is offered at a later occasion. The extent of re-examination should be the same as in the regular examination.

Change of Examiner

A student who has failed twice in the examination on the course or part of the course has the right, upon request, to have another examiner during the new examination opportunity, unless there are specific reasons against it.

Grading

Course literature

The course literature is provided in advance before it is offered.

General information

If the course is discontinued or undergoes significant changes, examination is normally offered according to this course plan on a total of three different occasions within/in connection with the two semesters that follow.

For information about the course, please contact:

susanne.eriksson@liu.se

The next couse period will be in autumn 2025