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| Semester | fall semester 2019 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Rony Emmenegger (rony.emmenegger@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | The publication of Ulrich Beck's (1986) book titled "Risk Society: On the Road to a Different Modernity" has since shaped the debate about risks in modern times. According to Beck (1986, 1992), modernity means individualization and dissolution of traditions, but also the creation of unprecedented risks that jeopardize human existence. The social science analysis of such a 'risk society' therefore focuses on the distribution of risks which characterize this society and are tackled as central challenges in this society. With his thesis of the 'risk society', Ulrich Beck also laid the foundation for a deeper examination of the complex relationship between social developments and environmental problems. This seminar provides insights into the complexity of human-environment relations that characterizes a 'risk society' and works towards a research agenda for the analysis of environmental problems and risks. The following questions are at the center of this seminar – to be discussed theoretically and through specific examples (waste disposal, invasive species, draught, fluvial hazard and gravitational hazard etc.): - What is the ‘nature’ of risk and how can it be conceptually captured within human-environment relations? - How can humans adopt to risks and how can human-environment relations be reconfigured? - What means sustainable development for a 'risk society' and how can it be achieved? |
| Learning objectives | Student are - familiar with ‘risk’-related concepts and debates in social science and environmental humanities; - able to conceptualize ‘risk’ within human-environment relations; - able to conduct a conceptually-inspired risk analysis through an engagement with empirical examples; - able to reflect on the meaning of ‘sustainable development’ for an advancing ‘risk society’. |
| Bibliography | Tba in class. |
| Comments | Please note entry requirements and course application process. MSD 2010 Studienvariante Phil.-Hist: Das Seminar ist für den Vertiefungsbereich anrechenbar (learning contract). MSD 2017 For students with focus area in social sciences the seminar is optional for the "Core Competences in Social Scienes" module. All students may transfer the credit points to the FASR module (learning agreement). This seminar is offered by MSD. Dr. Rony Emmenegger is a staff member of the Sustainability Research Group, Dep. of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. |
| Admission requirements | Limited number of participants (25), MSD-Students and those of the IJDSD have priority. Others are only accepted if they study a master's degree within the "Phil.-Hist."-Faculty and have passed sucessfully e.g. the lectures "11513-01: Sustainability: A new Societal Paradigm?" or "41829: Social Science Perspectives on Sustainability". Special course inscription required for ALL (for details see "Anmeldung"). MSD 2017 Students who have chosen the focus area in natural sciences or in economics must have completed the 'Complementary Knowledge in Social Sciences' module. |
| Course application | Mandatory application for ALL! Link open from 14.08.19y/noon - 04.09.19/midnight: https://adam.unibas.ch/goto_adam_fold_744967.html Login and application possible from 14.08.19/noon on. (Login button on top row right hand side of ADAM website) NOTE: Be aware of special entry requirements. Course inscription via MOnA remains mandatory for all participants.. In case of vacancies the online application 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 |
|---|
No dates available. Please contact the lecturer.
| Modules |
Modul Wahlbereich Wasser (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) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| 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 |