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11513-01 - Lecture with practical courses: Paradigms and Leverage Points for Sustainable Development (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Every spring sem. |
| Lecturers | Janina Grabs (janina.grabs@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | The concept of sustainable development has become increasingly influential since the famous Brundtland report in shaping political, economic or individual decisions. However, it has also become a buzzword with many different meanings serving many different interests, and various theoretical approaches for conceptualizing sustainable development across different disciplines. Moreover, a wide range of leverage points are hypothesized to support sustainable development pathways. Against this backdrop, this lecture provides a social science-oriented basis for - understanding sustainable development as a unifying, but contested model of societal development; - conceptualizing sustainable development based on justice and equity considerations; - and understanding and critically evaluating various leverage points and theories of change to advance sustainable development. |
| Learning objectives | Students - understand 'sustainable development' as a unifying, but contested model within the global societal development discourse; - know important theoretical social science-based approaches to analyze sustainability issues; - are able to compare and contrast different social science theories regarding leverage points and pathways to advance sustainable development |
| Bibliography | Will be announced during the lecture. |
| Comments | MSD 2017 Mandatory lecture for all. A different choice is only allowed for students, who have a) attended and accredited the same class for a former degree; b) attended and accredited a comparable class for a former degree. If a) or b) applies you have to register for a different course according to prior agreement with Prof. Dr. Janina Grabs. This lecture is offered by the MSD. Prof. Dr. Janina Grabs is the new head of the Sustainability Research Group, Dep. of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. |
| Admission requirements | For MSD students (incl. MSD preparation semester), those of the IJDSD and the listed degree programs (see list of modules). Other students must do a master's degree within the Departement of Social Sciences/Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. NO bachelor students admitted. |
| Course application | Course enrollment on online services should be completed by the beginning of the teaching period (withdrawal possible until Monday of week five). |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Tuesday | 14.00-16.00 | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Comments |
Final exam: 02.06.2026; repeat exam to be announced For details regarding time and rooms see list below. |
Dates
| Modules |
Module: Complementary Knowledge in Social Sciences (Master's Studies: Sustainable Development) Module: Core Competences in Social Sciences (Master's Studies: Sustainable Development) Module: Fields: Environment and Development (Master's degree program: African Studies) Module: Fields: Governance and Politics (Master's degree program: African Studies) Module: Fields: Knowledge Production and Transfer (Master's degree program: African Studies) Module: Resources and Sustainability (Master's degree program: Changing Societies: Migration – Conflicts – Resources) Specialization Module Global Europe: Environment and Sustainability (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) |
| Assessment format | record of achievement |
| Assessment details | Regular attendance, active participation, required task according to announcement of lecturer. Exam and repeat exam: 90 minutes; during usual teaching time slot. Details about rooms see online course directory/section "Dates & Rooms". Exam: 02.06.2026; repeat exam to be announced. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| Repeat examination | one repetition, best attempt counts |
| Scale | 1-6 0,1 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | University of Basel |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Nachhaltigkeitsforschung |