Teaching for Sustainability

Course Code: NM114E

Institution:

Nature, Environment and Society

Revision:

2.2

Other set versions

Approval

The course was established 14 November 2007.
This course syllabus (version: 2.2) was approved 20 October 2011 by the Board of Studies at School of Teacher Education.
The syllabus is valid from 10 November 2011. Replacement for course syllabus ratified 12 November 2008.

Education level

Course description

Advancement in relation to the degree requirements

Entry requirements

Learning outcomes

• describe what effect humans have upon their environment
• actively discuss the scope of environmental problems, challengers in sustainable development and education for sustainable development (ESD) in Sweden and in the participants´ respective home countries
• describe and discuss the impact of Agenda 21 and the Decade on ESD on education worldwide
• analyse and reflect on her/his knowledge and skills in teaching about the environment and ESD so that young people can grow up with a faith in the future, and the will and ability to work for a sustainable world
• make preparations for and carry out ESD in classroom situations

Assessments

The main criterion for passing the course is that the students can demonstrate an understanding of the theories, concepts and perspectives on ESD orally and in writing.
Learning outcome 1 is assessed individually in a literature seminar, and in group by a project presentation. Learning outcome 2 and 5 are assessed in a student-conducted workshop. Learning outcome 3 and 4 are assessed in an individual home assignment.
Attendance to most course components during the first six weeks of the course is compulsory, as the students learning activities will be assessed continuously and the student will work up the received experience and knowledge in the home assignment.



Course content

The course will consist of lectures, seminars, workshops, project work, study visits and a home assignment. Group works will be organised thematically. These themes will focus on issues of international interest and importance using Sweden or the partcipants´respective home countries as an example. In the themes the students will work to improve their own knowledge about their ability to teach the topic. The themes will be studied from different perspectives, e.g. the social, economic and ecological perspectives. The course includes a five days school practice (international students) or a school related project work (students in Swedish teaching training). The university’s three areas of emphasis (International Migration and Ethnic Relations, Nature and Resource Management, Equality and Gender) are taken in consideration in the literature, in the group works, in the school practice follow up and in the home assignment.


Learning activities

The educational approach is learning by doing and the course requires active participation in lectures, workshops, project work, study visits, literature seminar, as well as individual preparation through reading of literature. The students have liberty to influence the teaching and learning methods used in certain assignments. The main group work will be problem oriented and interdisciplinary. Tutoring and computer support is available.


Grading system

Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). ECTS grading system can be used on students demand.


Reading list and other media

The bibliography consists of a few mandatory books. The student will choose the remaining literature in connection to the project work and the home assignment. Furthermore, articles from popular scientific and scientific international journals and the Internet will be included.

Brown, Lester R. (2011) World on the edge. How to prevent environmental and economic collapse. Earth Policy Institute. Available as pdf at http:www.earth-policy.org/images/uploads/book_files/wotebook.pdf
Sandell, Klas, Öhman, Johan and Östman, Leif (2005) Education for Sustainable Development. Nature, School and Democracy. Lund: Studentlitteratur. (pp. 79-235)

Liepina Inese och Jutvik Gitte (200x), Education for change. A handbook for teaching and learning sustainable development ISBN 978-91-86189-01-3 (72 pp.) Available as pdf.



Course evaluation

Evaluation is an integral part of the course and takes place on two separate occasions: mid-course and at the end of the course. A final written individual evaluation based on the learning outcomes is done at the end of the course. The results of the course evaluation is summarised and made available in a report to be used as a basis for future courses.