FC8003 Unsustainable Development of Humanity 1

Faculty of Education
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
0/0/1. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Tomáš Miléř, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Tomáš Miléř, Ph.D.
Department of Physics, Chemistry and Vocational Education – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: Jana Jachymiáková
Supplier department: Department of Physics, Chemistry and Vocational Education – Faculty of Education
Timetable of Seminar Groups
FC8003/Kombi01: Sat 9. 11. 17:00–18:50 učebna 3, Sat 30. 11. 17:00–18:50 učebna 3, T. Miléř
FC8003/Prez01: each even Tuesday 11:00–12:50 učebna 3, T. Miléř
Prerequisites
Interest in global environmental problems; critical thinking and the ability to think in a broader context
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 100 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 80/100, only registered: 0/100, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/100
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 19 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The course aims to introduce the concept of (un)sustainable development of mankind and its alternatives in the environmental, energy, economic and ethical contexts. Students should acquire knowledge about global issues at the university level. Emphasis is placed on a scientific approach to exploring the complex system of the world, working with appropriate sources of information and the development of critical thinking. During a group discussion students develop their ability to express their own opinions and attitudes.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students should know and be able to:
Knowledge of the influence of mankind on the earth system and its risks.
Causes and interrelationships of global issues
Discuss the (not) sustainable development of humanity in a broader context
Syllabus
  • 1. Man and the Environment, the creation and purpose of the environmental movement
  • 2. Concept of SD and international negotiations (the Club of Rome report, The Brundtland Report, Earth Summit in Rio in 1992, Agenda 21, the Millennium Development Goals ...)
  • 3. Meadows's concept of SD, Lovelock's concept of "sustainable retreat", sustainable living,
  • 4. planetary boundaries and global environmental risks, Anthropocene
  • 5. Global climate change, geoengineering, biochar
  • 6. Globalization, international trade, responsibility of companies for environmental hazards (eg. industrial accident in Bhopal 1984) 7. Tragedy of the Commons
  • 8. Indicators of human environmental impact, ecological footprint
  • 9. Decoupling of human enviromental impact and economy growth
  • 10. Resilience (definition, mechanisms, resilience vs. efficiency, resilience of cities)
  • 11. Transition Towns Movement (permaculture, community projects, food, energy, and financially resilient communities)
  • 12. Education Activity The Pyramid of Sustainability
  • Note: The outline is only a framework, it can be adjusted according to the current needs.
Literature
    required literature
  • AČ, Alexander, Tomáš MILÉŘ and Boris RYCHNOVSKÝ. Vybrané kapitoly z ekologie a environmentální vědy (Selected Chapters of Ecology and Environmental Sciences). 1st ed. Brno: Masarykova Univerzita, 2013, 156 pp. ISBN 978-80-210-6434-8. info
  • MOLDAN, Bedřich. (Ne)udržitelný rozvoj : ekologie, hrozba i naděje. 2. vyd. V Praze: Univerzita Karlova v Praze, nakladatelství Karolinum, 2003, 141 s. ISBN 8024607697. info
    recommended literature
  • LOVELOCK, James. Gaia vrací úder : proč se Země brání a jak ještě můžeme zachránit lidstvo. Translated by Jindra Havlíčková. Vyd. 1. Praha: Academia, 2008, 196 s. ISBN 9788020016874. info
  • NÁTR, Lubomír. Rozvoj trvale neudržitelný. Vyd. 1. Praha: Univerzita Karlova v Praze, nakladatelství Karolinum, 2005, 102 s. ISBN 8024609878. info
  • MEADOWS, Donella H. Limits to growth. [s.l.]: Institut československého komitétu pro vědecké řízení, 1973, 169 s. info
Teaching methods
Lectures
Assessment methods
Final online test. During the group discussion the student proves that he/she is familiar with the given issue.
Language of instruction
Czech
Follow-Up Courses
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: 4 hodiny.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019, autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/autumn2024/FC8003