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| Semester | spring semester 2019 |
| Course frequency | Every spring sem. |
| Lecturers | Paul Burger (paul.burger@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | Transforming today’s energy systems in industrialized countries requires a substantial reduction of the total energy consumption at the individual level. Selected instruments have been found to be effective in changing people’s behavior in single domains. However, the so far weak success story on reducing overall energy consumption indicates that our understanding of the determining factors of individual energy consumption as well as of its change is far from being conclusive. We will introduce different disciplinary approaches in the field of changing individual energy behavior to clarify the diverging perceptions of the opportunities to change the behavior. Regarding economics energy is often seen as a commodity and consumers will adapt usage in response to price signals. In psychological conceptions energy use can be affected by stimulus-response mechanisms and by engaging attention. Energy use in sociological approaches is largely invisible, energy systems are complex, and daily practices are significant. Here, the view is emphasized that people do not directly use energy, but carry out a range of activities or ‘practices’ that lead to the consumption of energy. And also educational sciences have a different understanding, where energy use is a skill that is learned through experience in specific situations. Having revealed strengths and weaknesses of these approaches we will move on and develop an interdisciplinary frame integrating different perspectives on the change of individual energy behavior. Finally, we will further investigate and discuss the prospects and limitations of different governance strategies on multiple levels of intervention that are directed at changing individual energy behavior. |
| Learning objectives | The class will - learn on disciplinary approaches on changing individual energy behavior from economics, psychology, social sciences and educational sciences; - reveal the benefits and the necessity of an interdisciplinary approach to understand changes in individual energy behavior; - identify different governance strategies and levels of intervention to changing individual energy behavior. |
| Bibliography | tba |
| Comments | Please note entry requirements and course application. MSD 2017 For students with focus area in social sciences the seminar is optional for the "Core Competences in Social Scienes" module. Transfer of credit points to the "Focal Areas in Sustainability Research" module (learning agreement) possible for all students. MSD 2010 Allgemein empfehlen wir den Studierenden im MSD 2010, LV aus dem Wahlbereich erst zu belegen, wenn die KP aus den Grundlagen- und Aufbaubereichen weitestgehend erworben sind. Dieses Seminar kann für den Vertiefungsbereich Phil.-Hist. angerechnet werden (learning contract). This seminar is offered by MSD. Prof. Dr. Paul Burger is a member of the teaching committee MSD and head of the Sustainability Research Group, Dep. of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. |
| 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 MSD students who have chosen the focus area in natural sciences or in economics must have completed the “Complementary knowledge in Social Sciences” module. MSD 2010 Dieses Seminar ist im Wahlbereich Energie und Kllimawandel/Bereich Phil.-Hist. publiziert. Studierende, welche die Grundlagen- und Aufbaubereiche Phil.-Hist. zu absolvieren haben, müssen diese bis und mit HS17 weitestgehend abgeschlossen haben. |
| Course application | Mandatory course 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 registration 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 |
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No dates available. Please contact the lecturer.
| Modules |
Modul Wahlbereich Energie und Klimawandel (Master's Studies: Sustainable Development (Start of studies before 01.08.2017)) Module: Core Competences in Social Sciences (Master's Studies: Sustainable Development) Module: Resources and Sustainability (Master's degree program: Changing Societies: Migration – Conflicts – Resources) Vertiefungsmodul Global Europe: Umwelt und Nachhaltigkeit (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Oral presentation and 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 |