Courses

Minor: Sustainability (30 ECTS-Credits)

Learning Outcome: (1) The minor "Sustainability" at the University of Innsbruck is aimed at students who wish to place specialist knowledge acquired in their studies in the context of ecologically, socially and economically sustainable development.
(2) The minor "Sustainability" is based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015. The SDGs are understood as a global plan of action for people, planet and prosperity, whose explicit goal is to counteract inequalities and "leave no one behind". The diversity of the topics addressed and to be deal with, between which there are numerous tensions, is at the same time the strength and weakness of Agenda 2030. This variety is reflected in the minor.
(3) Graduates of the minor "Sustainability"
- have an understanding for systemically networked thinking,
- have the ability to handle multidimensional and complex decision situations, which have economic, ecological and social restrictions, to analyse them and name the conditions for participatory and fair decision-making,
- have developed an understanding of power structures that sustain the exploitation of human and non-human beings,
- have basic knowledge of the phenomenon of climate change,
- have knowledge of sustainable use of resources in different areas,
- understand how education systems contribute to maintaining or overcoming unsustainable structures,
- are aware of the challenges of sustainable development in a wide range of practical fields and have relevant knowledge in selected specialist areas that complement the field of their Bachelor's programme,
- have an advanced ability to think and act in a transdisciplinary way and have the ability to consider the sustainability perspective in different professional fields as well as to promote its implementation.

Compulsory Module 1: Governance and Partnership (5 ECTS-Credits, 3 h) (no courses)

Prerequisites for registration: none

Learning Outcome: The students have a basic knowledge of the subject of participatory social and political design and nonviolent transformation processes, as well as the functioning of trans- and international governance structures. They are able to grasp their complexity, to discuss them critically and to question and evaluate them.

Compulsory Module 2: Climatic Conditions and Ecological Challenges (5 ECTS-Credits, 3 h)

Prerequisites for registration: none

Learning Outcome: Students know basic ecological concepts and relationships as well as the main features of the earth's climate system. They have knowledge of current changes and challenges as well as the corresponding role of people. Students can communicate their knowledge about sustainable solutions in society.

Compulsory Modu 3l: Sustainable Use of Resources (5 ECTS-Credits, 4 h)

Prerequisites for registration: none

Learning Outcome: After completing the module, students are able to understand the background to the development of SDGs 6, 7 and 12, to analyse and evaluate their implementation in mountain regions and to develop innovative suggestions for their better implementation.

Compulsory Module 4: Basic Human Needs "Right to a Good Life" (5 ECTS-Credits, 3 h)

Prerequisites for registration: none

Learning Outcome: The students are able to identify and analyse factors of inequality in a multi-scalar dimension (from local to global) and to assess them for the perspectives of sustainable development. The students understand the role of endogenous regional development in achieving the goals of SDGs 1, 2, 3 and 10

Compulsory Module 5: Social and Economic Development (5 ECTS-Credits, 4 h) (no courses)

Prerequisites for registration: none

Learning Outcome: Students develop a strong understanding of complex decision-making problems and their theoretical background in the context of sustainability from an economic and business management perspective. They will acquire an understanding of relationships and interdependencies in long-term, complex decision-making processes. They are able to understand decision-making conflicts when different interest groups are involved and to develop well-founded solutions. Students have the ability to understand interregional and intergenerational trade-offs in resource use and to discuss them carefully.

Compulsory Modul 6: Universal Values (5 ECTS-Credits, 4 h)

Prerequisites for registration: none

Learning Outcome: Students of this module can independently develop concepts for the implementation of participatory projects in the context of regional food systems, taking into account economic, ecological and social framework conditions. They are able to initiate critical and creative learning processes within society that can lead to a more ethical and sustainable world for humans, animals and nature. Students can independently research information from various media and disciplines, evaluate it critically and select it for the development of innovative solutions

Notes:

There may still be changes in the courses offered as well as room allocation and course dates.
The course descriptions found in the English version of the course catalogue are for informational purposes only. Authoritative information can be found in the "Vorlesungsverzeichnis" (German version of the course catalogue).

Booking periods for courses