ENSn4673 Framework for Sustainability

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
0/0/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Brian D. Fath, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Karel Stibral, 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
TYP_STUDIA(N)
This course investigates the concept of sustainability from first principles of energetics and ecology applied to socio-economic systems. It deals with the ecological, physical, economic, social, and moral dimensions of sustainability.
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 25 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/25, only registered: 0/25, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/25
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 6 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
1. To provide students with a basic understanding of sustainability and the sustainable development goals.
2. To provide pertinent information about ecosystem functioning and services and how they interact with human society.
3. To explore the concept of sustainability and how it relates to the students’ everyday life.
Learning outcomes
Students will be able to:
1. Identify and understand the 17 SDGs and tradeoffs among them.
2. Learn a systems approach to interpreting socio-ecological processes and relationships
3. Know the difference between growth and development and the planetary boundary limitations
4. Explore new paradigms that move away from an objectivist mental model of the world as machine to an organic, life-driven perspective
Syllabus
  • Arranged biweekly in 6 120-minute blocks. Each session will begin with a 30-minute overview and summary of the topic/reading, 30 minute exercise, and 60 minute discussion.
  • Students are expected to come to class prepared and ready to discuss with an open and curious mind.
  • 1. Sept 22, 2022:
  • a. Introduction to sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals. Exercise: students investigate one SDG in pairs, then look for overlaps and synergies
  • b. Ways of valuing the environment. Introduction of cultural theory and ecosystem services. Exercise: recognizing diversity of opinions, choose the opposite side in discussion
  • 2. Oct 6, 2022:
  • a. Limits to Growth, planetary boundaries, Flourishing overview. Exercise: identify ways we exceed limits, ways we are under limits
  • b. Foundations for Sustainability – Chapter 1 systems thinking and win-win. Exercise: systems thinking games, bathtub models
  • 3. Oct 20, 2022:
  • a. Foundations for Sustainability – Chapter 2 Ecologic metaphysics. Exercise: thinking outside the box: view of life from a bug’s perspective.
  • b. Foundations for Sustainability – Chapter 3 mutualism. Exercise: communicating science to the general public
  • 4. Nov 3, 2022:
  • a. Foundations for Sustainability – Chapter 4 origins of life. Exercise: follow the money (or other natural currency) through the system.
  • b. Foundations for Sustainability – Chapter 5 reforming reductionism. Exercise: casual loop diagrams and holism
  • 5. Nov 24, 2022:
  • a. Foundations for Sustainability – Chapter 6 – networks. Exercise: basic network models reveal synergism and mutualism
  • b. Foundations for Sustainability – Chapter 7 – Rosen. Exercise: applications in your daily lives and in the Moravian landscapes
  • 6. Dec 1, 2022:
  • a. Foundations for Sustainability – Chapter 8 – applications
  • b. Foundations for Sustainability – Chapter 9 –Sustainability for all;
  • c. Wrap up
Literature
    required literature
  • Fiscus DA and Fath BD. 2019. Foundations for Sustainability: Coherent framework for Life-Environment Relations. Elsevier.
  • https://is.muni.cz/el/fss/podzim2019/HEN670/um/2018_Fiscus-Fath_Sustainability.pdf?lang=en
Teaching methods
Course grade will be based on the combined total from paper, attendance, exercises, discussion, and exam. The final exam will be comprehensive, covering all class activities, discussions, lectures, and readings.
Assessment methods
Grade evaluation (points available): Paper 100 Exercises 50 Discussion 100 Final Exam 150 Total 400
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught only once.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2022.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2025/ENSn4673