Headings denoted with an asterisk ( * ) is retrieved from the course syllabus version undefined
Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
The course Futures studies and Forecasts spans a wide array of issues, all of them relevant for planners’ comprehension of the future. In the course, focus is on the understanding of some basic concepts in futures studies, such as scenarios, uncertainty and risk, and on how to deal with those.
The course will touch upon issues of quite different character – such as population forecasting, regional plans and other long-term issues.
The course works as a magnet for various such developments and places them in a common setting in order to help the student find methods to keep a long-term perspective on planning.
Intended learning outcomes
In this course, the students are trained to become users of futures studies in planning. They will not become experts in performing specific scenario studies, but they will get a broad knowledge on which methods are at hand. Thus, after the course, the students should have acquired a basic understanding of some fundamental methods of long-term planning.
More specifically the aims of the course are that the students should
be able to explain the differences between various scenario approaches
be able to use their knowledge regarding various types of scenario methods to critically analyse the use of scenario methods in various existing studies
be able to point out risks and benefits with the methods presented in the course
be able to choose a suitable scenario method for a specific problem
have acquired a basic knowledge regarding existing techniques for scenario generation and be able to explain benefits and weaknesses with those techniques.
be able to use their new skills both in writing and orally.
Learning activities
The formal setting of the course consists of a series of lectures, seminars, workshops, two assignments, two small assignments and a selection of literature. On top of this comes the students’ own engagement and work.
During the lectures, a number of invited scholars and practitioners present various futures studies approaches and give examples from their own work.
The schedule defines the teacher-led parts of the course. It is presupposed that most of the work is performed outside of these times.
You will be required to refer to most of the lectures in the literature assignment, so if you do not attend the lectures, you will still need to watch powerpoint-presentations afterwards and find a course mate who is willing to help you understand the context in which they were presented.
Detailed plan
There are four compulsory assignments.
The Introduction assignment is a brief introductory task, aimed at helping you getting acquainted with the case used in the main (Literature) assignment, and to get started with the literature assignment. The Introduction assignment is handed in individually, but preferably prepared in cooperation with the group member that you will have in the literature assignment.
The second assignment, Sustainable ICT or Transport 2050, is focused on scenario writing. This is done in groups of three students. It gives 3 credits.
The third assignment is a Literature assignment where you get the opportunity to show your newly acquired knowledge of futures studies. The assignment is solved in groups of two. It gives 4.5 credits.
Finally, there is a small Reflection assignment aimed at supporting your reflection upon your learning outcomes from the course, and on how you could have improved your Literature assignment. This is an individual task.
Students may not be in the same groups during both assignment 2 and 3.
In all assignments, unquoted copying from the Internet or other sources is treated as cheating and will be reported to the Disciplinary Committee of KTH for further actions. A guide describing some basics on how to refer and cite other studies can be found on Canvas.
Each of the assignments are described in a separate assignment description – rea
Further intended learning outcomes
Two core futures themes are given special consideration during the course: environmental issues, sustainability and climate change, as well as gender and feminist perspectives. Thus, a further intended learning outcome is that the students have acquired a basic understanding of long-term thinking in relation to environmental threats and gender equality.
Preparations before course start
Literature
Readings The readings required for the course consist of a collection of articles and excerpts from books posted on Canvas. All the readings can be found either via the hyperlinks in the reading list, as pdfs on Canvas, or digitally through the KTH Library.
You do not need to prepare before the course starts, but in order to manage the course, you will need to read quite a lot during the course.
Support for students with disabilities
Students at KTH with a permanent disability can get support during studies from Funka:
LIT1 - Literature Assignments, 4.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
LAB1 - Laboratory Work, 3.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
Other requirements for final grade
It is required to complete exercises involving different combinations of qualitative and quantitative analysis (LAB1; 3 cr) and to fulfil a literature assignment (LIT1; 4,5 cr). Both those excercises must be performed within a specified time period
Grading criteria/assessment criteria
Students are required to complete four assignments.
There is no attendance taken for lectures. However, we encourage attending them, as they provide opportunities to ask questions to the lecturers and participate actively in the course together with your course mates. Additionally, referencing lectures is required in order to pass the Literature assignment (see the assignment description).
The workshops and seminars (see schedule) are compulsory. In the unfortunate case you miss them, we will try to solve this with extra tasks, but try not to! It will take more time than attending the workshops.
The final grade is based on the grades of the assignments. The Introduction assignment gives only pass or fail. The Sustainable ICT or Transport 2050 and the Literature assignment give grades between A and F. Fx means that the student did not pass the assignment, but that it will be possible to pass with the grade E if additional work is done. The supplementing task must be completed within six weeks from when the student received the result. After that, the grade corresponds to an F.
The minimum final grade, as a function of the grades on the assignments, is found in the table below:
Minimum final grade as a function of the grades on the assignments
Grade on scenario assignment
A
B
C
D
E
Grade on Literature assignment
A
A
A
B
B
C
B
B
B
B
C
C
C
B
C
C
C
D
D
C
C
D
D
D
E
C
D
D
E
E
A very good Reflection assignment and performance in discussions throughout the course may improve the grade above what is stated in the table.
Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination
It is not possible to appeal against (“överklaga”) a decided grade. In cases of obvious mistakes the examiner may however take a decision regarding correction. A request for re-evaluation should be sent to the course responsibles and course assistant no later than 15 days after you got the grade. The message should include a detailed justification regarding what mistakes you have found in the evaluation of your work.
So called “Uppings”, i.e. to increase the grade by making some extra assignment or exam is not possible in this course.
Ethical approach
All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.
Further information
Additional regulations
On 17/02/2023, the Dean of the ABE School has decided to establish this official course syllabus to apply from autumn term 2023, registration number A-2023-0362
Getting in contact with the course staff
The best way to get in contact is to participate in the supervision opportunities, see schedule for exact hours. If you can't come to supervision or have more urgent questions, use the message function in Canvas, in the left menu, and direct your questions to the course assistant as first choice. If you need to contact the responsible teachers, please cc the course assistant.
Canvas is the main source of information, so ensure to get notfications regarding announcements etcetera, and also carefully read informatino regarding for example assignments.
