Basics of Sustainable DevelopmentLaajuus (1 ECTS)

Objective

The student
• understands climate change and its impacts on the global environment and societies
• can analyse the causes and consequences of biodiversity loss and its effects
• is able to assess the state of democracy, social polarisation, and the development of crises in different parts of the world, and identify their impact on sustainable development
• is familiar with key ethical theories and can apply them to the resolution of wicked problems
• is able to develop their own ethical thinking and justify their ethical decisions in the context of sustainability challenges
• can analyse ethical questions in complex and unpredictable situations.
• understands the significance of ecological, social, and economic sustainability and can apply this knowledge in practical contexts.
• is familiar with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and can explain their global relevance
• is able to focus on selected key goals and analyse their implementation and related challenges
• can evaluate the current state of progress toward the goals and propose improvements.
• understands the importance of individual and group-level competences in achieving sustainability and is able to develop their own personal and teamwork skills to promote sustainable development
• can apply the Inner Development Goals framework to practical situations to enhance sustainability and evaluate its impact.

Content

Sustainability Challenges
• Climate change
• Biodiversity loss
• The state of democracy
• Social polarisation
• Conflicts

Ethical Theories and Sustainable Development
• Ethical frameworks and personal ethical thinking in addressing wicked problems

Dimensions of Sustainable Development
• Ecological
• Social (including cultural)
• Economic

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Overview of the SDGs
• Focus on key goals (climate action, reducing inequality, sustainable infrastructure, economic growth)
• Challenges related to the SDGs and the current status of their implementation

Inner Development Goals (IDGs)
• Individual and group-level competences for achieving sustainability

Qualifications

no pre-requisites

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student
• has achieved the objectives of the course to a satisfactory level
• is able to identify, define and use concepts and models in the subject area of the course
• understands the conditions and principles of the development of expertise.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student
• has achieved the objectives of the course well, although there are still areas where knowledge and skills need to be improved
• has a good understanding of the concepts and models of the subject matter of the course and is able to carry out a reasoned analysis
• is able to apply what they have learned in leisure, learning and working life situations
• understands the importance of expertise in business and is able to analyse their own expertise.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student
• has achieved the objectives of the course with excellent marks
• has an excellent command of the concepts and models of the subject matter of the course
• is able to analyse clearly and reasonably and propose practical development measures
• has a good ability to apply what they have learned in leisure, learning and working life situations
• is able to analyse expertise in business and their own development towards expertise.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student
• has achieved the objectives of the course to a satisfactory level
• is able to identify, define and use concepts and models in the subject area of the course
• understands the conditions and principles of the development of expertise.