Eco-social Approaches: Theoretical foundations and Controversies (5op)

Osaamistavoitteet

Knowledge
On completion of this course, the student:
• has advanced knowledge of key perspectives and central theoretical debates on the complex relations and interconnectedness between ecological and social conditions and challenges.
• has in-depth understanding of past and current debates about sustainability, green growth, and human behavior and responsibility towards nature.
• is able to identify transformative changes from anthropocentricity to eco-social views
• is able to understand key perspectives, past and current debates about the eco-social and to apply them in communication with specialists and public.

Skills
On completion of this course, the student is able to:
• relate to current academic debates and critically analyse the relations between perceptions and practices related to wellbeing, material conditions and footprints, and environmental limits.
• critically analyze ongoing political controversies regarding sustainability, green capitalism, inequality and power structures that impinge on environmental and social conditions and possibilities.

General competence
On completion of this course, the student is able to:
• apply eco-social related approaches in an independent, limited research or development project under supervision and in accordance with applicable norms for research ethics.

Sisältö

The course provides a basis for understanding eco-social changes: theoretical frameworks, debates and social initiatives related to global and local challenges. The course gives an overview of key concepts, main debates and conceptual genealogies and directions regarding the complex relations between ecological and social conditions and dimensions. We explore key issues regarding the relations between society and environment and how these relationships can be conceptualised. We discuss key concepts such as ‘anthropocene’, ‘sustainability’, ‘deep ecology’, ‘power’, ‘inequality’ and relate them to emerging paradigms that question our perceptions of, and practices related to wellbeing and environmental sustainability.