https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/AB_1268The main objective of this course is to develop an understanding of human-environment systems, how to analyze these and discuss how to implement sustainability transitions. The course aims to teach interdisciplinary methods for systems analysis in human-environment interactions. At the same time, we will engage with the multidimensional challenges of sustainability and the critical ways in which it is possible to think about decisions that have an impact on the environment. Collectively as a class, and individually, we will develop knowledge on human-environment interactions, on the role of stakeholders, on the role of policy, and on the role of science in tackling real-world sustainability challenges. The course will further provide an overview of alternative ways of achieving sustainability transformations and the tradeoffs and conflicts that may be associated with that. The course will establish and improve the understanding of the complexity of human-environment systems and the impact that different actors in society have on sustainability. By the end of this course you will be able to: 1. Conceptualize sustainability challenges of human-environmental systems; 2. Describe how different sustainability transformations impact HES and identify possible leverage points and trade-offs; 3. Formulate your own analysis and suggestions regarding societal decisions that affect local and global sustainable development.This course will be entirely held in English, which includes lectures, seminars, and the exam. Supporting sustainable development requires interdisciplinary science. Interdisciplinary science is characterised by methods that transcend and connect different disciplines. The ‘Aarde, Economie en Duurzaamheid’ program places central attention on the functioning of the “economics system” as an embedded component of the “Earth natural system”. This course focuses on the connections between the environmental and human systems. Knowledge of the fundamental interactions and interdependencies between human and natural systems is needed to support the design and evaluation of potential sustainability transformations. As students interested in the future of the planet and its inhabitants, it is important to develop critical knowledge, understanding and perspectives about socio-environmental problems. In this course, we will study approaches that help the analysis of human-environment interactions, which will allow you to analyse human-environment systems in an interdisciplinary way and think critically about alternative sustainability transformations. The course will explore the main sustainability dilemmas and the problems associated with the current system of economic development and mainstream decision making in relation to environmental destruction. We will deal with the political dimension of the environment and learn about how different theoretical perspectives challenge the dominant paradigms. We will discuss how measures aimed at achieving sustainability can lead to trade-offs between different sustainability objectives, between social and environmental objectives and between different parts of society. We will introduce different methods to engage stakeholders in science and to facilitate interactions between science, policy-makers and other stakeholders. The course is intensive and requires your full engagement. Topic areas addressed in the course include: 1) Introduction: The relevance of sustainability transformations of human-environment systems 2) Degrowth versus green growth: The debate about a sustainable economy 3) Sustainability transformations: concepts and types 4) Transformative governance: Political decision-making for sustainability transformations 5) Stakeholder engagement: Rationale, potential and limits of different approaches 6) Scenarios and visions for sustainable futuresThe structure of the course consists of a mix of lectures, seminars/practicals, required reading, as well as group discussions and group work. The course consists of six thematic blocks covering one week each (i.e. two sessions per week). The structure of each block consists of a lecture at the start to introduce concepts, methods, and key questions related to the topic. Students will then engage in individual or group assignments or discussions associated with the key issues introduced in the lecture. Readings or videos will be assigned for each thematic block and it will be essential to be well prepared to successfully participate in the course work as well as for the exam. Due to the complexity of the issues addressed and the concentrated length of the course, class attendance (i.e., contact hours) and participation in discussions are important and expected.Final digital exam: this will be a closed-book exam (2h 15 min / 2h 45 min with extra time) accounting for 60% of the course grade. Portfolio: students will work on a group portfolio which accounts for 40% of the grade. Required reading will be assessed using Perusall. Students should attain a sufficient engagement score (100%) for 5 out of 6 required readings. This will be assessed as a Pass/Fail. To pass the course, students must pass at least the final exam, the portfolio, and at least 5 out of 6 Perusall readings.The course will use a syllabus that will be made available to thestudents. In addition, journal articles and chapters from scientificreports or books are part of the reading material and will be madeavailable via Canvas.All materials, assignments, and quizzes will be made available viaCanvas only. Students are encouraged to use the Canvas discussion board to ask questions.