| Course title | Degrowth and Systems Change |
|---|---|
| Course code | MRS/GNST |
| Organizational form of instruction | Lecture + Seminar |
| Level of course | Master |
| Year of study | 2 |
| Semester | Winter |
| Number of ECTS credits | 5 |
| Language of instruction | Czech |
| Status of course | Compulsory-optional |
| Form of instruction | Face-to-face |
| Work placements | This is not an internship |
| Recommended optional programme components | None |
| Lecturer(s) |
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| Course content |
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Various strands of growth critique - ecological, feminist, decolonial and cultural - will be introduced at the beginning. Alternative approaches are presented, in particular the concept of degrowth as a framework for a deeper transformation of society. Degrowth is seen not only as a response to environmental and social crises, but as a comprehensive political, economic and cultural vision towards sustainability, equity and an emphasis on quality of life within planetary boundaries. The course introduces the roots and development of degrowth thinking, biophysical aspects (including the question of decoupling growth from environmental burdens or models of ecological economics), proposals for specific policies and institutional changes associated with systemic degrowth, and the cultural dimension of transformation that problematizes individualism and reconceptualizes notions of freedom or the good life. Students will be introduced to key areas of the degrowth critique, the empirical studies that support this critique, and the arguments both for and against degrowth. The course also includes an introduction to selected strategies and approaches to systemic change, with an emphasis on developing systems thinking and the ability to analyze complex social processes.
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| Learning activities and teaching methods |
| unspecified |
| Learning outcomes |
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The course focuses on a critical examination of the current economic system, which is structurally dependent on continuous growth.
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| Prerequisites |
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unspecified
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| Assessment methods and criteria |
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unspecified
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| Recommended literature |
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| Study plans that include the course |
| Faculty | Study plan (Version) | Category of Branch/Specialization | Recommended semester | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty: Faculty of Science | Study plan (Version): Global Sustainable Development - specialization in Transition to Sustainability (2024) | Category: Geography courses | 2 | Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: Winter |
| Faculty: Faculty of Science | Study plan (Version): Global Sustainable Development - specialization in International Development (2024) | Category: Geography courses | 2 | Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: Winter |