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| Semester | spring semester 2024 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Machteld Simoens (machteld.simoens@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | Since the aftermath of the second world war, economic growth has been the dominant paradigm to enhance nations’ welfare. Over time, economic measures such as the gross domestic product have become internalized into our society, while increasing wealth determine the actions of politics and industry. However, this focus on economic growth has led to a wide variety of undesirable effects, ranging from environmental degradation to inequality and injustice. To address these negative side-effects, sustainability, various scholars and practitioners have explored and developed various alternative economic approaches, each presenting an alternative perspective on how our economies can be organized. In this seminar, we will reflect and critically discuss the concept of growth, it’s history and current developments towards sustainable or green growth as well as degrowth. Additionally, we will explore a variety of alternative approaches (such as degrowth, circular economy, sharing economy, doughnut economy, economy for the common good, etc.). To do so, groups of participants will each focus on one alternative economy and its societal implications and host a seminar session on the topic together with a practitioner from the region. Goal of this group project is to learn and experience how theoretical approaches are transformed into practical approaches and to reflect on its potential and challenges for societal transformations. At the end of the seminar, participants are expected to write an individual reflection essay, describing their perspective the alternative economies and their societal implications. Language: English |
| Learning objectives | o Describe and reflect on the concepts of “growth” and "alternative economies" and their societal implications. o Explain and examine an alternative economy, while including and engaging with a practitioner in this process. o Develop an interactive and engaging seminar session. |
| Admission requirements | This seminar is aimed at advanced bachelor and master students. The seminar has room for max. 25 students on a first-come, first-served basis. As we will be discussing important fundamentals in the first weeks of the seminar, interested students are expected to register by the end of February and attend the seminar sessions from the beginning. Students who are only able to join the seminar from week 3 onwards will be expected to complete an additional assignment. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Course auditors welcome |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Tuesday | 16.15-18.00 | Rosshofgasse (Schnitz), Seminarraum S 02 |
| Modules |
Modul: Ungleichheit, Konflikt, Kultur (Master's degree subject: Sociology) Modul: Wirtschaft, Wissen und Kultur (Bachelor's degree subject: Sociology) Module: Resources and Sustainability (Master's degree program: Changing Societies: Migration – Conflicts – Resources) Vertiefungsmodul Global Europe: Arbeit, Migration und Gesellschaft (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) Vertiefungsmodul Global Europe: Handel und Unternehmen in der Globalisierung (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) Vertiefungsmodul Global Europe: Umwelt und Nachhaltigkeit (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Soziologie |