Universität Wien

280533 VU Sustainability in academia (2025S)

2.00 ECTS (1.00 SWS), SPL 28 - Erdwissenschaften, Meteorologie - Geophysik und
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle
We 07.05. 13:15-14:45 Hörsaal 1 2A120 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 15 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Wednesday 05.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 2A120 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
  • Wednesday 19.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 2A120 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
  • Wednesday 09.04. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 2A120 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
  • Wednesday 28.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 2A120 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
  • Wednesday 04.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 2A120 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Education shapes the minds of the future. The challenges we are facing now require more than ever in depth reasoning, innovative transformations, and collaboration.
As surface temperatures rise, forest fires rage, and extreme weather events increase in frequency and severity, climate scientists have been calling for help for decades. Academia and research play a pivotal role in driving the sustainable transition. This course focuses on addressing climate change and sustainability from an academic and research point of view.
The course will be highly interactive, with a strong emphasis on discussions and debates. Participants will gain a basic understanding of the state of climate change, the IPCC report, and the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Through discussions, readings, and presentations, we will explore the impact of our research field(s) on the planet and the society. We will also explore the role of universities and its different stakeholders as driver of the transition. Such awareness is crucial to address the UN's SDGs, and to reflect on potential solutions effectively.
In the final part of the course, we will focus on solutions and final group presentations.
No prior knowledge of sustainability or climate change is required.

Assessment and permitted materials

Students will be assessed on their active participation during the course and on their final group debate.
The debate will take the format of a Model United Nations (MUN) debate. Students will have to collaborate to answer a global question.
The format of the debate and the assessment criteria will be discussed during the first lecture.

For more information about MUN debate you can check this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCCjaVjnArI

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Students should attend 70% of the lectures to pass the course.
The final grade is based on:
Active participation during the lectures - 40%
Final group presentation - 60%

Examination topics

Course materials and active participation will be included in the examination. More detail will be given during the first lecture.

Reading list

Resources will be discussed during the course.

Association in the course directory

VER; PM-Nawi; VAF; PM-Astr;

Last modified: Mo 24.03.2025 14:06