701-1551-00L  Sustainability Assessment

SemesterAutumn Semester 2016
LecturersP. Krütli, C. E. Pohl
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish


AbstractThe course deals with the concepts and methodologies for the analysis and assessment of sustainable development. A special focus is given to the social dimension and to social justice as a guiding principle of sustainability as well as to trade-offs between the three dimensions of sustainability.

The course is seminar-like, interactive.
ObjectiveAt the end oft he course students should

Know:
- core concepts of sustainable development, and;
- the concept of social justice - normatively and empirically - as a core element of social sustainability;
- important empirical methods for the analysis and assessment of local / regional sustainability issues.

Understand and reflect on:
- the challenges of trade-offs between the different goals of sustainable development;
- and the respective impacts on individual and societal decision-making.
ContentThe course is structured as follows:
- Overview of rationale, objectives, concepts and origins of sustainable development;
- Importance and application of sustainability in science, politics, society, and economy;
- Sustainable (local / regional) development in different national / international contexts;
- Analysis and evaluation methods of sustainable development with a focus on social justice;
- Trade-offs in selected examples.
Lecture notesHandouts.
LiteratureSelected scientific articles & book chapters