Sustainable Development FOR030F 7.5 HP

Course name: Sustainable Development

ECTS/HP: 7.5

Course code: FOR030F

Educational level: Third-cycle course

Eligibility requirements:
The course is open to students admitted to third-cycle studies at LTU.

Course content:
The course is based on different interpretations of sustainable development and on environmental ethics perspectives that highlight the relationship between humans, nature, and society. Through advanced analytical exercises, these perspectives are applied both to current environmental challenges and to the participants’ own research fields. This highlights the opportunities and obstacles for research to contribute to a long-term sustainable society in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Learning outcomes:
After completing the course, participants shall be able to:

• describe and critically relate to the concept of sustainable development at national and global levels; including its historical evolution, contemporary definitions and interpretations, and key perspectives in environmental ethics,
• independently analyse how sustainable development can be applied within different research and application areas, for example water and energy,
• independently analyse how different strategies for change, from policy instruments and targets to individual behaviour, are influenced by fundamental ethical perspectives,
• analyse the interaction and potential conflicts between different dimensions of sustainable development (ecological, economic and social, including gender equality), with particular focus on the participant’s own PhD project,
• acquire a basic understanding of ecological systems focusing on the life-supporting and resource generating functions of ecosystems and relate this to their own PhD project.

The above learning outcomes imply that this course targets the following national criteria for a doctoral degree, as numbered in Appendix B to the individual study plan: 1.1, 2.1, 2.5, 2.6 and 3.2.

Course methods:
Teaching is given in the form of lectures and compulsory exercises with active participation required. The lectures introduce the central themes of the course: the concept of sustainable development, different strands of environmental ethics and their evolution over time, the sensitivity of ecosystems and their crucial role in maintaining Earth’s life-supporting and resource generating systems, and different perspectives on resource use. The exercises develop the ability to analyse sustainability issues from social science, technological and/or natural science perspectives. Distance-bridging technology is used for participants based at other campus locations.

Examination form:
The examination consists of written submissions and oral presentations linked to exercises. Each assignment involves a qualified analysis that requires sound understanding of the subject and the ability to apply different perspectives and models. The assignments address, for instance, environmental ethics and gender aspects in sustainability work. Participants present their analyses and compare them with those of their peers. The examination also assess skills in oral and written communication, as well as the ability to provide constructive feedback on the work of other doctoral students.

Grading scale: Pass/Fail.

Course literature:
Chapin, F. S., Folke, C. Kofinas, G. P. 2009. A framework for Understanding Change. In Principles of Ecosystem Stewardship: Resilience-Based Natural Resource Management in a Changing World. New York: Springer Verlag. pp 3-28.

Cochrane, A. 2006. Environmental ethics, in J. Fieser & B. Dowden (eds) The internet encyclopedia of philosophy. At http://eprints.lse.ac.uk./21190

Denton, F. 2002. Climate change vulnerability, impacts, and adaptation: Why does gender matter? Gender and Development, 10(2), 10-20.

Brundtland, G. H. et al. 1987. Our Common Future. Nairobi: United Nations Environmental Programme, World Commission on Environment and Development. Kap. 2.

Goodland, R. 1995. The Concept of Environmental Sustainability. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 26(1) 1-26.

Griggs, D., Rockström, J.; et al. 2013. Policy: Sustainable development goals for people and planet. Nature, 21, 495 (7441), 305-7.

Jagers, S.C., Harring, N., Löfgren, Å. et al. 2020. On the preconditions for large-scale collective action. Ambio, 49, 1282–1296.

Mansbridge, J. 2014. The role of the state in governing the commons. Environmental Science & Policy, 36: 8-10.

Ostrom, E. 2000. Collective Action and the Evolution of Social Norms. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 14(3): 137–158.

Robèrt, K-H., et al. 1997. A Compass for Sustainable Development, International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology (4):79-92.

Shirin, M. R.; Brown, B. D.; Ruwanpura, K. N. 2019. SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth – A gendered analysis, World Development, 113: 368-380.

Steffen, et al. 2015., Planetary boundaries: Guiding human development on a changing planet, Science 13, 347(6223).

Education cycle:
Study period 2, 2026

Course is given periodically:
Yes, next time is planned 2028

Send application to: The application is made via the form below

• Application to FOR030F autumn 2026

In the application, the doctoral student states: name, social security number, email address, division and department affiliation

Deadline for application:
2026-09-02

Course open for application by doctoral students admitted to other universities than LTU:
Yes. Attach a registration certificate from Ladok in your application.

Limited number of students:
No

Tuition:
The course is free of charge for doctoral students admitted at LTU.

Contact person:
Carina Lundmark (carina.lundmark@ltu.se)

Examiner:
Associate Professor Carina Lundmark

Course syllabus decided by:
Helena Ranängen

Date of decision:
2025-10-13