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74277-01 - Seminar: International Organizations and Sustainable Development (3 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Every fall sem. |
| Lecturers | Charline Depoorter (charline.depoorter@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This course examines the role of international organizations (IOs) in promoting sustainable development globally through a combination of theoretical, historical, and practice-oriented perspectives. It first provides an introduction to key theories of International Relations which are used throughout the course to analyze and interpret empirical cases, including in applied exercises and discussions. It then delves into the functioning of the international system as well as into the concept of sustainable development and its evolution in that context. IOs covered include (but are not limited to) the main components of the United Nations system and related organizations (e.g. UNDP, UNCTAD, UNEP, ITC, FAO, ILO, WHO), trade and financial organizations (e.g. IMF, World Bank, WTO), as well as regional organizations (e.g. the EU and ASEAN). The course explores how IOs develop instruments and enforce norms, influence policy, and provide platforms for collaboration between states and non-state actors in addressing environmental, economic, and social sustainability challenges. It takes stock of the successes and limitations of IOs in fostering sustainable development both theoretically and empirically, and provides an opportunity to reflect on the ways forward. The format of the course is a block seminar including lectures, guest lectures and class activities.” |
| Learning objectives | - Gain an introduction into the system of international organizations - Get acquainted with the emergence and rise of sustainable development as a concept in the international context - Understand the main structures and instruments for sustainable development in the international context - Delve into how respective international organizations address sustainability challenges through interactions with practitioners from different IOs - Identify current and inherent challenges in international organizations and sustainable development - Reflect on the ways forward. |
| Bibliography | Tba in class. |
| Comments | Please note entry requirements, details in section "Admission requirements" (Teilnahmevoraussetzungen). Scheduled as a bloc seminar: 3. & 04. October 2026; and 20. & 21. November 2026; Sat: 09.15 - 18h; Sun: 09.15 - 16h. MSD students (both curricula) This is an optional course. The recognition of credit points is possible for the published module or with a learning agreement for the "FASR" module (MSD 2017); or for the "Electives" (MSD 2026). This seminar is offered by the MSD. Dr. Charline Depoorter is a post doc in the Sustainability Research Group, Dep. of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. |
| Admission requirements | Limited number of participants (25). Students of the MSD (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 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 (= third priority). No other students admitted. We recommend that non-MSD (excl. JIDSD) students have already taken one of the following lectures (= credit points already acquired) during a former semester: - 11513: Sustainability: A new Societal Paradigm? - 41829: Perspectives of Social Sciences on Sustainability. If you have not passed either of these classes, you must contact the lecturer until the first day of the teaching period, i.e. in fall semester 2026 until 14. September 2026 at the latest to assess if you have sufficient background knowledge to be admitted. MSD students (both curricula) MSD students who have chosen the focus area (MSD 2017)/(without) major (MSD 2026) in natural sciences or in economics (and management) must more or less have completed the “Complementary Knowledge in Social Sciences” module. |
| Course application | Course enrollment on online services should be completed by the beginning of the teaching period, at the latest until 14. September 2026. Withdrawal possible until Monday of teaching week five. Note special participation criteria, for details see section "Admission requierements". |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| Block | See individual dates | ||
| Block | See individual dates | ||
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 03.10.2026 | 09.15-16.00 | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Sunday 04.10.2026 | 09.15-16.00 | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Saturday 21.11.2026 | 09.15-16.00 | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Sunday 22.11.2026 | 09.15-16.00 | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Modules |
Module: Complementary Knowledge Social Sciences (Master's Studies: Sustainable Development) 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: Resources and Sustainability (Master's degree program: Changing Societies: Migration – Conflicts – Resources (Start of studies before 01.08.2026)) Module: Topics and Methods in Sustainable Development: Social Sciences (Master's Studies: Sustainable Development) Specialization Module Global Europe: Environment and Sustainability (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) Specialization Module Global Europe: International Organizations (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Compulsary attendance in presence, required reading, oactive participation in a simulation, written essay. Details according to information of lecturer. |
| 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 |