KYHMODKOK Sustainable Societies module (25–35 cr)

The Sustainable Societies module is a multidisciplinary module that examines sustainable development from a social sciences perspective, discussing its political, economic, social and cultural dimensions. The study module aims to identify the social dimensions of environmental challenges and analyse their effects and impacts, and how to address them in order to have a secure transition to sustainable societies.

This module consists of 25 credits: 15 credits of compulsory courses and 10 credits of electives, including courses in Finnish and English. The module suits all students with various backgrounds interested in non-technical dimensions of sustainable development and climate change. Some of the courses in this module suit students at all levels of study. 

After completing this module, students should be able to:

· evaluate and apply relevant concepts and theories in the realm of social sciences of sustainability, sustainable development, and climate change

· understand what kind of phenomena climate change is from a social science and cultural viewpoint and critically evaluate possible solutions to climate change

· describe various instances of the critical issues concerning sustainable development and understand tensions inherent in sustainable development

· reflect on the ethical aspects related to environmental challenges and responsibilities for addressing them

· reflect on the necessity of sustainability transitions

· explain why culture matters in practices of negotiations, decision making and public governance in different societies

· identify the current most important environmental challenges globally and regionally

· present their knowledge in the field using the basic skills of scientific writing

Note! Not all electives are necessarily offered every academic year.The module and its individual courses are freely available to all University of Jyväskylä students.