FC8004 Unsustainable development of humanity 2

Faculty of Education
Spring 2022
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
FC8004/Kombi01: Fri 18. 2. 14:00–15:50 učebna 5, Fri 25. 3. 13:00–14:50 učebna 5, T. Miléř
FC8004/Prez01: Wed 15:00–15:50 učebna 5, T. Miléř
Prerequisites
Interest in global environmental problems; critical thinking and the ability to think in a broader context. The course FC8004 follows FC8003, but those who missed FC8003 are allowed to enroll FC8004 too.
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: 9/100, 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 17 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. The world as a complex adaptive system
  • 2. Perspectives of humanity's future
  • 3. Collapse of Complex Societies (dynamic company development, diverse causes collapses, catabolic collapse)
  • 4. Harnessing energy companies, energy sources, energy return index (EROI), oil - economy relationship, concept of "peak oil",
  • 5. Concept of "appropriate technology" (E.F. Schumacher)
  • 6. (Un)sustainability of economic growth, (relationship between energy and the economy, what it is money, monetary system, Ponzi Scheme)
  • 7. Science and society in the context of UR (the impact science has on the direction of society, activism of scientists, the role of the media, systemic biases)
  • 8. The limited perception of the world (cognitive bias, confirmation bias, optimism bias, wishful thinking, Pygmalion effect, techno-optimism ...)
  • 9. Classification of environmental risks
  • 10. Adaptation on local scale, limits to adaptation, vulnerability, resilience
  • 11. Existential risk (the risk of extinction of mankind)
  • 10. Bartlett's Sustainability Laws
Literature
    recommended 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
  • TAINTER, Joseph A. Kolapsy složitých společností. Translated by Stanislav Pavlíček. 1. vyd. v českém jazyce. Praha: Dokořán, 2009, 319 s. ISBN 9788073632489. info
  • CÍLEK, Václav. Nejistý plamen:průvodce ropným světem. Praha: Dokořán, 2007, 192 pp. ISBN 978-80-7363-122-2. info
Teaching methods
Lectures
Assessment methods
During the final group discussion the student proves that he/she is familiar with the given issue.
Language of instruction
Czech
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 Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2022, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/spring2022/FC8004