FME3548 Reflexive and Critical Perspectives on Sustainability Transitions 3.0 credits
This course will aim at developing a critical and reflexive thinking, e.g., questioning and reflecting on researchers' sustainability assumptions (rather than taking sustainability as a nonnative concept). The course will specifically focus on the research domain of sustainability transitions that has its roots in science and technology studies, sociology, innovation studies and political sciences. The course will include ideas from broader critical sustainability studies in social and political sciences, covering topics such as problem shifting between international environmental treaties, shortcomings of modernist and colonial approaches to sustainability, problematique on globalization of technology for sustainability.
Information for research students about course offerings
The deadline for application is 24 October.
Application form can be found here: https://www.kth.se/form/6336da2c0e095fffc5d53f73?l=en
Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
The course deals with the basic assumptions within the research domain of sustainability transitions. This domain studies socio-technical transitions towards sustainability in industrial sectors such as transport, energy and food.
The course includes lectures, seminars and other learning activities covering the following topics:
- Introduction to methodology and sustainability assumptions in transition research
- Reflexive and critical perspectives within broader sustainability research such as:
Assumptions in sustainability assessment methods
Power, colonialism, uncertainty and diversity in the sustainability discourse
Problem shifts between international environmental agreements
Paradoxes in corporate sustainability work
- Critical review of a scientific text based on its sustainability assumptions
- Research proposal development with a reflexive and critical perspective
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Critically reflect on sustainability assumptions in sustainability transitions research
- Explain and reflect on reflexive and critical approaches to transitions research
- Critically review and assess a scientific text according to its sustainability assumptions
- Formulate a plan for a scientific study with a reflexive and critical approach
Course disposition
Literature and preparations
Specific prerequisites
Admitted to PhD studies
Recommended prerequisites
Equipment
Literature
Examination and completion
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
Grading scale
Examination
- INL1 - Assignment, 1.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
- SEM1 - Assignment, 2.0 credits, grading scale: P, 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.
Other requirements for final grade
Attendance at at least 80% of lectures and seminars.
Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination
Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination
Examiner
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
Course web
Further information about the course can be found on the Course web at the link below. Information on the Course web will later be moved to this site.
Course web FME3548