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76584-01 - Seminar: Diverse and Decentralized Processes of Change Instead of One ‘Great Transformation’? Theories, Ideas and Initiatives for Future-Fit Societies (3 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers | Marc Frick (marc.frick@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This seminar will address the important question of how to best achieve societal change towards sustainability. We will explore and contrast two main perspectives: the idea of a comprehensive 'Great Transformation' versus the concept of numerous smaller, decentralised transformations. The core debate will focus on whether profound societal shifts necessary for sustainable development are best implemented through a large-scale, top-down approach or through a variety of localised, bottom-up initiatives driven by diverse motivations and context-specific problem analysis and understandings of a sustainable future. Throughout the semester, we will examine various theories related to socio-ecological transformation. Students will engage with these concepts by researching and presenting real-world examples and initiatives that illustrate the respective theories in practice. This approach will enable us to critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different pathways towards creating resilient and sustainable societies, as well as identifying potential synergies. The seminar will be conducted in English. |
| Learning objectives | Upon successfully completing this seminar, students will be able to: 1) Critically analyse sustainability theories. 2) Select and analyse real-world initiatives, projects or social phenomena that exemplify specific sustainability theories. 3) Interpret observed social, economic and ecological trends or events by drawing on relevant sustainability theories. |
| Comments | This course is supported by the EPICUR project at the University of Basel which supports learning offers that are conducted in collaboration with one or more EPICUR partner universities and contribute to increasing internationalization at the University of Basel. This financial support is made possible by funding from Movetia, the Swiss agency for exchange and mobility. Movetia is financed by the Swiss Federal Council. The course will include a cooperation with students from the Université Haute-Alsace in Mulhouse and with students from the course "Neighbors" at the University of Basel. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Thursday | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 18.09.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Thursday 25.09.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Thursday 02.10.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Thursday 09.10.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Thursday 16.10.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Thursday 23.10.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Thursday 30.10.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Thursday 06.11.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Thursday 13.11.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Thursday 20.11.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Thursday 27.11.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Thursday 04.12.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Thursday 11.12.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Thursday 18.12.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Modules |
Modul: Politik, Entwicklung und soziale Ungleichheit (Bachelor's degree subject: Sociology) Modul: Ungleichheit, Konflikt, Kultur (Master's degree subject: Sociology) Module: Migration, Mobility and Transnationalism (Master's degree program: Changing Societies: Migration – Conflicts – Resources) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | The details of the assessment will be discussed during the first semester meeting. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Soziologie |