The course is based on lectures as well as discussions in smaller groups in seminars. In addition to that there is a project assignment and a computer laboration.
Lectures cover:
- The concept of sustainable development, the sustainability goals of society and societal challenges
- ICT and sustainable development - how ICT may be a positive driver for sustainable development, but also mean risks and negative impacts
- Innovations and business opportunities - examples with company perspective
- Environmetnal and sustainability assessment with systems perspective (in general and with specific applications for the ICT sector)
Seminars will be held in connection to the lectures. Students will prepare seminar discussions by reading part of the course literature ocnd prepare written assignments. In this way active participation is facilitated both at the lectures and the seminars.
The project assignment will in a concrete way relate to both ICT and sustainable development, and may be performed in collaboration with relevant companies and other actors.
The purpose of the course is to give basic knowledge on sustainable development. Mainly in relation to environmental problems and social aspects. ICT-solutions (information and communication solutions) may be used to make resource use more efficient and may make possible changes in processes and practices for sustainable development, but may also cause increased environmental problems and negative social impacts. Within the course we will reflect on different opportunities and problems related to ICT-solutions and these will be illustrated with concrete examples from the sector. There will be discussions on how sustainable development could be facilitated by ICT-solutions, and the aim is that you will later be able to use your knowledge in order to support sustainable development in your daily profession
The course goals are that the student after taking this course will be able to:
- present and problematize the concept of sustainable development, mainly in relation to environmental oblems and social aspects
- present and problematize political goals for sustainable development that are set in society
- describe and discuss different environmental and social problems in society where ICT-solutions could be useful
- on a generic level analyse environmental consequences of ICT-solutions/applications with a systems perspective
- understand that environmental and sustainability problems are often complex and may be inadequatley defined, and sometimes give rise to goal conflicts.
- use knowledge on sustainable development in situations where ICT-solutions are planned, developed or used, suggest ways to integrate this perspective and reflect on the potential in innovation.
