SUM4019 – Consumption, Sustainability and Social Change
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
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Course content
Unsustainable consumption patterns and the upwards spiraling resource use embedded in these are at the core of the world’s sustainability challenges. And while overconsumption has been on political agendas for quite some time, very little progress—and often also little effort—has been made in dealing with it. This is the starting point of this course, together with an insistence on understanding consumption as a highly complex social phenomenon that involves much more than individuals making choices. The main focus of the course is on studying how consumption plays out in our everyday lives, as well how different social and material structures co-shape consumption patterns. The course presents a variety of social-scientific approaches to consumption, as well as a range of case studies from both affluent societies and ‘emerging economies’. Possible avenues for changing consumption patterns in a more sustainable direction are discussed throughout the course.
Learning outcome
- To critically discuss the importance of consumption to global and local sustainability as well as attempts to create more sustainable consumption patterns
- To interpret the complex set of factors influencing and co-shaping consumption patterns
- To categorize, interpret, and compare new theoretical perspectives on the social, economic and technological contributions to consumption
Admission
You may apply to be a guest student at SUM. Please follow these instructions.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Bachelor’s degree.
Recommended previous knowledge
Specialization equivalent to at least 80 ECTS within subjects from the humanities or social sciences, sustainable development, or equivalent relevant subjects.
Teaching
Students are expected to actively take part in all the lectures and seminars.
Examination
From 2018 onwards - : Three day home exam. Assessment Guide
Previous exam formats:
2017: Course Paper.
2005-2016: Three day home exam.
Digital home examination
The home examination is conducted in the digital examination system Inspera.You will need to familiarize yourself with the digital examination arrangements in Inspera.
Read more about home examinations using Inspera.
Use of sources and citation
You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.