NP00AF43 Principles of Sustainable Development (3–5 cr)
Cooperation network course
Network: Climate University
Available for: Doctoral studies, Master's students, Bachelor's students and Bachelor's and Master's students
This course is offered through the Network for Climate University. These studies are available for bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree students studying in the University of Jyväskylä.
Description
Sustainable development is essential for the survival of humanity and planet Earth. At the same, it is a concept that provokes strong opinions and different interpretations. This course provides basic knowledge on sustainable development as a concept and its ecological, social, economic and cultural dimensions, their connections and trade-offs; also UN sustainable development goals are discussed. Ethical viewpoint to sustainability as normative and political concept is provided. A specific focus is given on different roles and actions of individuals and society, where students are given a possibility to study their own lifestyle both from individual perspective, but also to study climate and sustainability issues as a systemic problem. Different sustainability issues and their potential solutions are presented from the viewpoints of different disciplines.
Learning outcomes
1) The student understands the intersectional, partly contradictory, goals and interdimensionality of the climate challenge and the challenges of sustainable development.
2) After completing the course, students will be familiar with the multidisciplinary links between climate change and different goals of sustainable development, and will identify different tools for solving and communicating problems.
3) After completing the course, students recognize the diversity of cultures and the problematic nature of stereotypes related to different language, nationality and ethnic groups, and recognize stereotypical ways of thinking, and know how to work equally and equitably with different people in accordance with professional ethics and good scientific practice, respecting different stakeholder groups, environments and values.
4) The student understands the importance of positivity and solution orientation both through the global responsibility of individuals and through the transformation of existing structures.
Additional information
Language of instruction
Course will be given in Finnish and English.
Target group
Course is open for all students at the University of Oulu, and also available as cross-institutional studies for students of the Oulu University of Applied Sciences and the Climate University and Sustainability Studies network as well as for students of the open university. Course (5 ects) is compulsory for students taking minor in Sustainable development.
Description of prerequisites
No required prerequisite
Recommended optional programme components
The course is an independent entity and does not require additional studies carried out at the same time.