Governance and politics of sustainability transformations
Summary
Do you care about global sustainability challenges such as climate change, resource exploitation, hunger, and inequality? Do you wonder why societies often struggle to respond to these - and how fair and effective transformations toward sustainability can be initiated and governed? In this course, you will explore key theories and real-world cases that help you understand how sustainability transformations can be initiated and governed at local, national, and global levels. Particular attention is given to the roles of politics, power, and knowledge in shaping these processes.
About
Addressing global sustainability challenges requires fundamental changes in our economies and societies. How can such change be initiated, how radical does it need to be, and who is responsible for making it happen? What roles do states, markets, civil society, and science play, and how do politics, knowledge, and power matter? Which forms of governance can ensure that sustainability transformations are not only effective, but also fair and just?
Contribute to change
In this course, you take a deep dive into the governance and politics of sustainability transformations. You learn to understand the complex drivers behind contemporary global sustainability challenges and discuss how sustainability transformations can be initiated and governed in ways that are fair and just, with a strong focus on governance. You explore key theories and concepts and work with real-world case studies from sectors such as energy, transportation, agriculture, forestry, fishing, and mining to understand why unsustainable systems persist, what obstacles hinder change, and how transformations can be initiated.
Holistic and solution-oriented approach
What distinguishes this course is its holistic and solution-oriented approach. By examining political, economic, social, and cultural dimensions - with particular attention to politics, knowledge, and power - you gain a deeper understanding of the forces that prevent change, shape its direction, or enable transformations that are effective, inclusive, and just. A multi-level governance perspective allows you to analyze governance needs, challenges, and solutions at local, national, regional, and global levels, and across state, market, and civil society actors. By linking theory to practice through real-world case studies, you also gain insights into concrete examples of sustainability transformations in action and learn what makes change possible.
This course is designed for you if you want to contribute to meaningful societal change - as a policymaker, researcher, entrepreneur, manager, civil society actor, or engaged citizen. You develop analytical tools to critically assess transformation pathways and to support sustainability transformations in your future professional work.
Teaching
Teaching consists of lectures and compulsory seminars, including role play and a simulated scientific conference where you present and critically discuss your work on sustainability transformations.
Prerequisites and selection
Entry requirements
Entry to the course requires 20 credits of completed second cycle courses in the field of global studies, social sciences or equivalent.
Selection
Selection is based upon the number of credits from previous university studies, maximum 165 credits.
After graduation
After completing the course, you are prepared for roles that engage with sustainability and transformation processes. The course is designed for students who want to contribute to much-needed sustainability transformations in our economic and societal systems - as policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, managers, and civil society actors. The course also strengthens your ability to act as an informed and critical change-maker in society.
Facilities
The teaching facilities of the School of Global Studies are located in central Gothenburg. Most classes are held in the historic building of Annedalsseminariet, which faces a beautiful English garden. Our locales are well-equipped with learning technology and we offer teaching in gallery-seated lecture halls and smaller rooms for seminars or group sessions. We also have group rooms and study places that you may use on both weekdays and weekends. Annedalsseminariet is accessible with an elevator, orientation signs in Braille, a ramp at the entrance door, accessible WC, and automatic door openers. Tram and bus stops are nearby. The Social Sciences Library, where you find your course literature, is within a 10-minute walk, and in the surrounding areas, Linnéstaden and Haga, there are plenty of cafés and vibrant student life.
