Perspectives on sustainable consumption

No prerequisites

Having completed this course, students are able to identify, describe and critically assess the basic research approaches (economics, sociology, psychology) and main research contributions to sustainable consumption. Students are able to explain how and why different theoretical and methodological research traditions present different pictures of sustainable consumption. Students are also able to apply the different research approaches and findings to practical and policy problems and anticipate their policy implications. They have a basic capacity to develop real-world research questions and find appropriate theoretical and methodological ways to answer them. They are able to describe the skills-set of experts working in this field and can imagine what skills they themselves would need to serve in such expert positions. They can also present constructive and academically grounded criticism toward present-day sustainable consumption policies.

Completion methods

Lectures and group discussions

Exam

Independent assignment

Grading scale

Scale 0-5 or 

Assessment practices and criteria

Graded on a scale of 0-5. Attendance in class and individual assignment (30%), exam (based on lectures, assignments and readings, 70%). Evaluation criteria for exam: application of knowledge, understanding, argumentation, logical structure, personal reflection. More detailed criteria available on the course Moodle page.

Activities and methods in support of learning

The course consists of 21 hours of classroom teaching (+21 hours notes & reflection), 10 hours of off-campus assignment, 50 hours of readings, and a Moodle exam (20 hours incl. preparation).

Alternative way to complete the course: https://moodle.helsinki.fi/course/view.php?id=26234(Opens in a new tab)

Target groups

Master’s students in Environmental Change and Global Sustainability, Master’s students in Social Sciences

Teaching period when the course will be offered

Annual course, Period 1

Recommended time or stage of studies for completion

1st study year in master’s

Study module

Compulsory in ECGS-200 Consumer-Citizens and Sustainability Transitions

Expiry of studies

valid for 10 years

Language of instruction

English

Language of learning

English, Finnish or Swedish

Literature and learning material

Lecture course:

Lecture material and articles assigned to the course in Moodle

Course level

Master’s level, (second-cycle degree/EQF level 7).

Course level: intermediate