Empowerment in Sustainability

In a world where socio-ecological concerns escalate, a question arise: How can we empower ourselves and others to shape sustainable futures? This is a challenging question when considering that on-going socio-ecological sustainability concerns can be understood and experienced differently across people depending on the paradigm embraced, touch upon both the human and non-human sphere, and are emotionally charged. By addressing those aspects, this course aims to foster a multifaceted understanding and experience of empowerment, and of the underlying paradigmatic assumptions we hold, in the search for a more sustainable existence. Firstly, the course engages you to explore conceptually the complex nature of (un)sustainability and empowerment, to distinguish paradigms and related worldviews and how they influence our understanding and experience of empowerment and sustainability. Secondly, it exposes you to your own agency by enabling you to position yourself in relation to humans and non-humans others and the world and to engage into sustainability endeavors that are meaningful to you within your sphere of influence. Thirdly, it enables you to cultivate sensibilities and competencies, for actively participating into the quest for sustainability and navigating its complexities, such as reflexivity, worldview communication, emotional awareness, self-sustainability and mindfulness. This course integrates theory, critical thinking, heartfelt reflections, and actions.

Given the interactive character of the course, participation to all classes/course activities is requested.

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:

• Explain and personalize theories and concepts related to (un)sustainability, modernity, post- and trans-modernity paradigms and worldviews, empowerment and agency related competencies
• Understand their own agency and own competencies by creating and implementing a personal real life sustainability project of their own choice, within their own sphere of influence
• Share and discuss their own personal real life sustainability project, related outcomes and learning process with clarity, inspiration and sense of ownership of own project

Assumed Knowledge:
Basic knowledge in a social science field and in environmental and sustainability science