Governance and politics of sustainability transformations

The course is an in-depth course in the second cycle and can be studied as a single subject course.
The course can be part of the following program: 1) Master's Program in Global Studies (S2GST)

Entry to the course requires 20 credits of completed second cycle courses in the field of global studies, social sciences or equivalent.

Addressing global sustainability challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, hunger, poverty, and inequality, requires fundamental changes in our economies and societies. But how can we initiate the necessary change, and how radical do these changes need to be? What roles can state, market, civil society and science play in this regard? How do politics, knowledge/expertise and power shape transformation pathways, and which governance mechanisms can ensure fair and just transformations? To help answering such questions, the course takes an interdisciplinary approach, drawing insights from disciplines such as international relations, political sciences, science and technology studies, environmental social sciences, and social anthropology. Students will learn about critical theories to comprehend the complex reasons behind contemporary global sustainability challenges and how to drive sustainability transformations and ensure they unfold in ways that are fair and just, with a focus on governance.

With the aim to move from describing problems to identifying solutions, the course will combine theoretical perspectives with real-world case studies on sustainability transformations in sectors such as forestry, agriculture, fishing, mining, energy, and industry. The course will highlight the complex political, economic, social, and cultural dimensions inherent to sustainability transformations to understand potential obstacles and obtain a great understanding on how to ensure fair and just transformations. The course will take a multi-level governance perspective, exploring governance needs, challenges, and solutions at various levels, ranging from local, national, regional, and global, and regarding various players such as state, market, and civil society actors. The students will also learn about different theories and concepts to understand policy processes in relation to sustainability challenges, enabling insights into how societies chose their policies, why they often do not adopt better policies, and how more sustainability-oriented policies could be ensured. 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, civil society actors, and citizens.

With successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding 

• Demonstrate understanding of theories and concepts related to global sustainability challenges and sustainability transformations 
• Identify, discuss and reflect upon the knowledge requirements for sustainability transformations, including the role of science and scientific knowledge 
• Identify and discuss different governance options to initiate and manage sustainability transformations 

Competence and skills 

• Apply theories and concepts to real-world issues related to sustainability and transformation 

Judgement and approach 

• Critically reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of different theories and concepts related to sustainability challenges and transformations 
• Critically assess different paradigms and discourses on transformation pathways 
• Reflect on the role of politics, knowledge, and power regarding sustainability challenges and transformations

The course will consist of lectures and compulsory seminars including active learning techniques such as a role play as well as a simulated scientific conference on sustainability transformations in which the students present and critically discuss their final papers.

Language of instruction: English

The course will be examined through the following activities:

• one written take-home examination (5)
• one individual oral presentation (2,5) 

Any restrictions regarding the use of generative AI (genAI) applications are indicated on the course's Canvas page (or equivalent). Students are obliged to inform themselves about the applicable rules for written assignments, seminar tasks, and exams in the current course.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG); Pass (G) and Fail (U). To obtain the grade Pass (G) for the whole course, students need to receive Pass (G) in the take-home exam and the conference presentation. To receive a pass with distinction (VG), the student must receive Pass in the conference presentation and Pass with distinction on the take-home exam essay.

The course coordinator is responsible for systematically and regularly collecting the students' views of the course, and for making sure that the results of the evaluations in different forms are taken into consideration when developing the course. The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.