WISP2204 Socio-economic sustainability transitions (4 cr)

The course focuses on the societal and political systems and the interplay of different actors in promoting, hampering, and negotiating sustainability transitions. Both governance and economic systems essentially influence the possibility and directions of societal transitions and understanding their basic dynamics is crucial for fostering sustainability transitions and resolving related barriers. Societal processes explain how transitions in large systems may come about, what is the role of different institutions and actor groups in promoting the needed changes, and how power issues and conflicts constantly challenge transition processes and give rise to the questions of justice.

After completing this course, the student:

• Understands what a political system is, understands sustainability transitions as political processes, and understands how political and economic systems contribute to promoting or impeding sustainability transitions.
• Understands how complex energy, food, and other systems can be changed towards sustainability and is able to evaluate how the various actors and their power positions play out in transitions.
• Has gained capacities for agency and leadership for envisioning and promoting alternative future trajectories both in one’s profession and as a citizen (at individual, collective, and political levels).