Critical Perspectives on Sustainable Development

Aim

After completion of the course, the student should on an advanced level be able to:

• describe and analyze the histories and different conceptualizations of the sustainable development concept,
• illustrate the complexity involved in creating scientific knowledge and technology for sustainable development, including ethical aspects connected to power asymmetries,
• analyze a case study from a sustainability perspective, identify problems, apply relevant theories, and reflect on the outcomes,
• critically analyze and integrate knowledge gained through reading, discussions, and cases, and express it orally and in writing,
• write academic texts where rules for citations and references are correctly applied.

Content

The course focuses on an analytical and critical foundation from which the students can approach sustainable development. Drawing on past and present developments in nature/society, the course exemplifies how any chosen event or situation is dependent on the interplay between natural and social processes. The students are introduced to a number of theories that can be used to describe and analyze the construction of knowledge and technology for sustainable development. These theories will be applied to an analysis of a case on sustainable development. The students also develop the academic skills of referencing, analysis, and critical evaluation.

Important dimensions that are discussed include the links between social interests, politics, knowledge and technology. The influence of social class, gender, culture and other social relations on science and technology is examined and also how science and technology can structure such relations. The course underlines the importance of understanding the role of expertise and the dynamics involved in working towards sustainable development, such as issues relating power asymmetries between high- and low-income countries.