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23620-01 - Seminar: Capabilities and Sustainability (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2016 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Paul Burger (paul.burger@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | During the last 20 years or so two development concepts have been established on a global level. Whereas sustainability is strongly committed to taking into consideration environmental issues, the capability approach focuses on poverty issues and criteria for well-being. Strange enough however, there are not many interfaces between them. Although sustainability issues also comprise poverty (justice) issues, the capability approach has little impact in sustainability research and vice versa. From a social science oriented sustainability perspective this is a very unsatisfactory situation. It reflects (in my view) the underestimation of social issues within sustainability discourses. The capability approach might offer a new perspective regarding intra- and intergenerational justice. However, such a perspective is in need to become linked to global scarcity of environmental resources. How this could be conceptually and empirically done will be the core topic of this seminar. |
| Learning objectives | Students - know the capability approach (Sen, Nussbaum); - are able to critically link it to core issues of sustainable development (justice, resources); - are able to identify an empirical or a conceptual research question linking capabilities and sustainability. |
| Bibliography | A list will be handed out at the beginning of the seminar. |
| Comments | Special course application required for ALL (for details see 'course application' or 'Anmeldung') and prerequisits (details see 'entry requirements'). Anrechnung im MSD 2010: Dieses Seminar ist im Modul Kernbereich Gesellschaftswissenschaftliche Nachhaltigkeitsforschung publiziert und kann nach Rücksprache mit P. Burger mittels LC für den Vertiefungsbereich Phil.-Hist. angerechnet werden. Prof. Burger is head of the Sustainability Research Group, Dep. Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. |
| Admission requirements | Special course application required for ALL (for details see 'course application' or 'Anmeldung'). Limited number of participants (25), Students of the MSD, IJDSD, African Studies and Master in Philosophy have priority. If you study something different you must do a master degree within the 'Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences' and may attend the seminar in case of vacancies. Course applications in a different way then explained ARE NOT taken into account. |
| Course application | Mandatory application for ALL! Link open from 18.01.16/noon - 11.02.16/midnight. http://flexiform2.unibas.ch/formular.cfm?EID=1622 NOTE: Be aware of special entry requirements. Course inscription via MonA remains mandatory for all participants.. In case of vacancies the online application link remains open after 11.02.16 until the second week of teaching + 2 days. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | Online, mandatory |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|
No dates available. Please contact the lecturer.
| Modules |
Modul Culture and Society (Master's degree program: African Studies (Start of studies before 01.08.2013)) Modul Fields: Environment and Development (Master's degree program: African Studies) Modul Kernbereich Gesellschaftswissenschaftliche Nachhaltigkeitsforschung (Master Sustainable Development) Modul Praktische Philosophie (Master's degree subject: Philosophy (Start of studies before 01.08.2013)) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Oral presentation, written essay. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,1 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | University of Basel |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Nachhaltigkeitsforschung |