LS1708 Technology, Ethics and Sustainability 7.5 credits

The course interleaves theoretical components with practical exercises and simulations of work-related situations where different interests- ethical, economic, ecological, legal, professional and/or personal- may conflict. In the theoretical parts of the course, time is devoted to relevant moral-philosophical theories and to policies, legislation and research on sustainable development. We will also discuss ethical questions related to other situations that can be relevant for the students' exercise of their own profession, for example in relation to legislation and other content that has been brought up in earlier courses in the programme.

The aim of the course is to give the students the necessary knowledge, skills and approaches to be able to analyse and handle actual ethical problems within their own professions, with special focus on sustainable development.

After passing the course, the students should be able to:

• account for central theories of ethics and morals and their practical applications in their own vocational area

• explain and problematise different dimensions of the concepts sustainable development and ecosystem services as well as put these in relation to the social progress in general even so as to the own sector and its preconditions

• describe the policies, instruments and tools used in industry and society to decrease the environmental impact from a product or activities

• use ethical theories and concepts to discuss and analyse problems and conflicts that can arise in their own professions, with special focus on questions of sustainable development

• discuss and make well-motivated professional decisions between factors such as efficiency, ethics and sustainable development in work-related dilemmas.

Kurslitteratur meddelas inför kursstart.

Rekommenderad referenslitteratur och e-resurser anges i kurs-PM eller på liknande sätt.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• LEXA - Continuous assessment, 7.5 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.

Anna Kers Hagberg

• 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.