GLOBE4200 – Advanced Introduction to Development and Environment

This advanced interdisciplinary introductory course examines the entanglements of environment and development, with a sharp focus on the challenges, trade-offs, and possibilities that arise when they collide. We analyse key features of the Anthropocene and how different lives are shaped by this new planetary condition, exploring the interplay between scales and places, the roles of diverse actors, and the relationship between research and policy in the sustainable development agenda.

Students gain a solid understanding of how environmental and development issues have been theorized across the social sciences and humanities, and how these ideas can inform practice and change. Through seminars, peer learning, collaborative projects, and portfolio assignments, you will work with real-world dilemmas, strengthening your ability to analyse complex problems, make informed judgements, communicate clearly, and navigate the messy spaces where research, policy, and ideals intersect.

After completing the course, students will:

Knowledge

• better understand what has caused the Anthropocene, what the consequences of this condition are, and what avenues might lead to change
• be able to recognize and critically assess how various actors and groups contribute to, and are affected by, processes of global change
• have the ability to understand, assess, and apply various theories from the Social sciences and Humanities to explain the complexity of environmental and development issues
• be able to identify and discuss the problems and dilemmas involved in the ambition to transition to sustainable development

Course-specific skills

• be able to critically assess, discuss, and present the arguments, strengths and weaknesses of academic texts and other sources
• have the ability to plan and give presentations on relevant topics
• have the ability to write, present, and discuss academic texts of various length and complexity
• strengthen their ability to cooperate with peers in planning and developing lectures and presentations
• be able to criticise and comment on the work of fellow students in a respectful, reflected, and constructive manner
• Be able to effectively integrate others’ feedback when editing their own texts

General skills

• to evaluate and break down complex problems, arguments and evidence, see how different factors are connected, understand that solutions are partial and context-dependent, and identify trade-offs and unintended consequences
• to search for, interpret, and critically assess academic and other sources, judging their credibility and limitations
• to develop clear, well-structured academic texts with coherent argumentation
• to plan and deliver engaging presentations and to explain complex ideas clearly in discussions
• to work effectively with others, sharing responsibilities and integrating different perspectives in joint tasks
• to reflect on your own position and values and to consider the ethical implications of environmental and development choices

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

Students enrolled in other Master`s Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

The Master's programme is directed towards students with a specialization equivalent to at least 80 ECTS within subjects from the humanities or social sciences, or a specialization equivalent to at least 80 ECTS in sustainable development, or equivalent subjects, as long as the specialization is deemed relevant for the program.

The minimum requirement for admission to this course is that students must have a Bachelor’s degree (equivalent at least to a good second-class honours degree from a reputable university). Students with a natural science background should have at least half a year`s studies (30 ECTS) within the Humanities or Social sciences to prepare them for the interdisciplinary challenges this programme offers.

The course is organized as a series of teaching units. Classes take a hybrid form, combining a lecture format with group discussions, exercises, presentations, etc. A textlab series is integrated into the course, where we will train advanced academic skills; from literature searches, to logging, writing and presenting, all while working with assignments for the portfolio.

On average there will be three sessions of teaching per week, normally on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. All classes are compulsory.

Access to teaching

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.

• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Resitting an examination