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14253-01 - Seminar: Environmental Ethics and Intergenerational Justice (3 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Every fall sem. |
| Lecturers | Barbara Schmitz (barbara.schmitz@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | The central questions of environmental ethics concern the moral obligations we have towards protecting our natural environment. How can these obligations be rationally justified? What do they include? Physiocentric approaches suppose that the value of protecting our environment is not just based on human interests. In contrast, anthropocentric approaches completely explain the obligation to conserve the nonhuman nature by reference to the interests of human beings who for example have a need for an undestroyed environment as an economical ressource or as an area for their relaxation. These different approaches will be discussed in the first part of the course. Sustainable development is aiming at the protection of the economical and ecological conditions of the good life of future generations. By serving this goal environmental ethics becomes part of an ethics concerning our responsibility for the future. In the second part of the course different readings of this responsibility will be discussed. In this context, it will also be examined in which way our obligation to protect our environment can be justified by the idea of justice between present and future generations. |
| Learning objectives | The participants know - different approaches in environmental ethics; - the specific problems of intergenerational justice. |
| Bibliography | The literature is presented in class. |
| Comments | Please note entry requirements. For details see section "Admission requirements". Mandatory application for ALL students, for details see section "Course application". Mandatory for all students of the MSD 2017 and MSD 2026 unless the following situation applies to you: Those who have already attended a similar class are supposed to contact Prof. Dr. Janina Grabs and determine with her a substitute and inform C. Chebbi by email. A learning agreement is to be filled in if the substitute concerns the "Complementary Knowledge in Social Science" module/MSD 2017; and the "Introducation to Sustainability Science" module /MSD 2026. This seminar is offered by the MSD, PD Dr. B. Schmitz holds a teaching assignment. |
| Admission requirements | Limited number of participants (25). Students of the MSD 2017 and MSD 2026 (incl. preparation semester and IJDSD) have a first priority. Students of the listed programs (see list of modules) have a second priority. If you study something different you must do at least a master's degree within the Department of Social Sciences (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences) and may attend the seminar in case of vacancies (these applications have the priority level three). No other students admitted. Content related participation REQUIREMENTS for NON-MSD/IJDSD-students: They must have passed succesfully one of the following lectures (= credit points already acquired) during a former semester: - 11513: Paradigms and Leverage Points for Sustainable Development (former title until spring semester 2025: Sustainability: A new Societal Paradigm?) - 41829: Perspectives of Social Sciences on Sustainability. |
| Course application | Please note entry requirements. For details see section "admission requirements". Mandatory application for ALL! Link opens on 13. August 26/noon: link to be announced. Login and application only possible with open link. Link guides to the ADAM website, you still must do the login and JOIN this ADAM course if you are not a member. First emails with confirmation of participation will be sent out in week 36. In case of vacancies the online application link remains open until 24. September 26/noon. Course enrollment on online services should be completed by the beginning of the teaching period at the latest until Monday, 14. September 2026. Withdrawal possible until Monday of teaching week five. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Tuesday | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Comments | Final assessment: written essay, 19.01.2027, details regarding time and room tba. |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 15.09.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 22.09.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 29.09.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 06.10.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 13.10.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 20.10.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 27.10.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 03.11.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 10.11.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 17.11.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 24.11.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 01.12.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 08.12.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 15.12.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Modules |
Module: Complementary Knowledge in Social Sciences (Master's Studies: Sustainable Development (Start of studies before 01.08.2026)) Module: Core Competences in Social Sciences (Master's Studies: Sustainable Development (Start of studies before 01.08.2026)) Module: Fields: Environment and Development (Master's degree program: African Studies) Module: Introduction to Sustainability Science (Master's Studies: Sustainable Development) Module: Practical Philosophy (Master's degree subject: Philosophy) Specialization Module Global Europe: Environment and Sustainability (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Compulsory attendance in presence, required readings, oral presentation, essay. Details according to information of B. Schmitz. |
| 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 |