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23620-01 - Seminar: Capabilities and Sustainability (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2019 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Marius Christen (marius.christen@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. MSD 2017 For Students with focus area in social sciences the seminar is optional for the "Core Competences in Social Scienes" module. All students of MSD 2017 may transfer the credit points to the "Focal Areas in Sustainability Research" module (learning agreement). MSD 2010 Dieses Seminar ist im Modul Kernbereich Gesellschaftswissenschaftliche Nachhaltigkeitsforschung publiziert und kann für den Vertiefungsbereich Phil.-Hist. angerechnet werden (Learning Contract). The seminar is offered by MSD. Dr. Marius Christen is a post doc staff member of the Sustainability Research Group at Unibas and holds a teaching assignment. |
| 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 and the listed programs (see modules) have priority. If you study something different you must do a master's degree within the 'Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences' and may attend the seminar in case of vacancies. MSD 2017 Students who have chosen the focus area in natural sciences or in economics must have completed the 'Complementary Knowledge in Social Sciences' module (at least 8 CP for this module). |
| Course application | Mandatory application for ALL! Link open from 16.01.19/noon - 06.02.19/midnight: https://adam.unibas.ch/goto_adam_fold_744950.html (Login on top row right hand side of ADAM website; list of forms available from 16.01.19/noon on) 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 until the second week of teaching + 2 days. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|
No dates available. Please contact the lecturer.
| Modules |
Modul Kernbereich Gesellschaftswissenschaftliche Nachhaltigkeitsforschung (Master's Studies: Sustainable Development (Start of studies before 01.08.2017)) Modul: Fachkompetenz Globaler Wandel (Master's degree subject: Geography) Modul: Fields: Environment and Development (Master's degree program: African Studies) Module: Core Competences in Social Sciences (Master's Studies: Sustainable Development) Vertiefungsmodul Global Europe: Umwelt und Nachhaltigkeit (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Oral presentation, written essay. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| 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 |