FSS:ENSb1295 Critical Economics - Seminar - Course Information

ENSb1295 Critical Economics - Seminar

Extent and Intensity

0/1/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
In-person direct teaching

Teacher(s)

Mgr. Eva Fraňková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
RNDr. Naděžda Vlašín Johanisová, Ph.D. (lecturer)

Guaranteed by

RNDr. Naděžda Vlašín Johanisová, Ph.D.
Department of Environmental Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Kateřina Hendrychová
Supplier department: Department of Environmental Studies – Faculty of Social Studies

Prerequisites

(NOW( ENSb1106 Critical Economics and Nature )||( ENSb1106 Critical Economics and Nature || ENS106 Critical Economics and Nature ))&&TYP_STUDIA(B)
The course is intended for students who are currently enrolled in the course ENSb1106 Critical Economics and Nature or have previously completed it.

Course Enrolment Limitations

The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/20, only registered: 0/20

fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with

• Environmental Studies (programme FSS, B-ENV) (5)

Course objectives

This course is a practical addition to the course ENSb1106 Critical Economics and Nature. By the end of the course, the student will be able to:

get a better understanding of both economical thinking and practice and critically reflect on them from an environmental perspective,

obtain a deeper understanding of basic economic concepts related to nature and environment,

lead a more educated interdisciplinary dialogue with economists from different schools,

strenghten their ability of self-organization and teamwork, develop their creativity, explore their interests and gain an active attitude towards their study,

strengthen their discussion, listening and critical thinking skills and gain experience with interactive learning methods.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student:
will be able to argue against the pitfalls of mainstream economics using alternative theories;
will be able to analyze the underlying assumptions of different conceptual frameworks;
will be able to interpret socio-economic processes in relation to the interest of human as well as more-than-human stakeholders;
will be able to apply economic theories and models that broaden the prevalent economic discourse

Syllabus

• The course planning is co-created during the first session (see teaching methods). Examples of possible topics include, among others: Nature in mainstream and ecological economics
• Extractivism and externalities
• Economic growth, the issue of green growth, decoupling
• Degrowth and other alternatives to the current economy
• Nature and work, automatization
• Economic power and "race to the bottom"
• How does money work? Financial system and alternatives
• Households, production and reproduction
• Ecofeminism, diverse economies and alternative economic models
• Basic income
• Economies, nature and policy - the example of the Common Agricultural Policy
• Green New Deal
• Economic lessons from the covid crisis and the way forward
• Social solidarity economy, eco-social entrepreneurship

Literature

• FRAŇKOVÁ, Eva. Lokální ekonomiky v souvislostech, aneb, Produkce a spotřeba z blízka. 1. vydání. Brno: Masarykova Univerzita, 2015, 216 stran. ISBN 9788021077409. info
• JOHANISOVÁ, Naďa. Ekologická ekonomie : vybrané kapitoly. 1. vydání. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 2014, 88 stran. ISBN 9788021071162. info
• CAPRA, Fritjof. Bod obratu :věda, společnost a nová kultura. Translated by Miroslav Štýs. Vyd. 1. Praha: DharmaGaia, 2002, 514 s. ISBN 80-85905-42-6. info
• SCHUMACHER, E. F. Malé je milé, aneb, Ekonomie, která by počítala i s člověkem. Edited by Jan Keller. Vyd. 1. Brno: Doplněk, 2000, 284 s. ISBN 807239035X. info

Teaching methods

The course offers an open space for a collective exploration of the links between economy and nature, as well as for a creative search of meaningful ways of teaching and learning. It is based on interactive approaches to education and it intends to introduce participatory and non-hierarchical aspects into the course organization. The course relies on students’ active participation and their interest to co-create their learning process. During the first session we collectively (with the guidance of a facilitator) create the program of the seminar. We decide on the topics we want to explore during the upcoming sessions based on the topics discussed in the course Critical economics and nature and the teachers’ expertise, but mostly depending on the interests of the student group. Students also plan in which topics they want to actively participate: together with the teachers they create groups which will prepare the corresponding sessions. The following seminars are fully guided by these “working groups”, which can prepare a short lecture or an interactive activity on the topic, screen a movie, plan a field trip, invite a guest… The course teachers are available for support both in terms of content and in terms of finding the most suitable form of collective learning. However, the students are expected to have a high level of initiative, intrinsic motivation and interest in personal development and learning.

Assessment methods

In order to successfully complete the course, the students are required to fully participate on the minimum of five classes, and be involved in the preparation of at least two classes.

Language of instruction

Czech

Further comments (probably available only in Czech)

The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every other week.
General note: ENSb1295 Seminář ke kritické ekonomii si zapisuje student, který má současně zapsaný ENSb1106 Kritická ekonomie a příroda nebo tento předmět již v minulosti absolvoval.

Předmět bude nabízen, přihlásí-li se na něj sedm či více studentů.

• Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  
• Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2025/ENSb1295