Using the UN SDG framework, the course examines the major global and local sustainability challenges and pathways towards achieving the SDGs. Students examine the role of various state and non-state actors in creating a sustainable world. Moreover, students learn to apply theories and frameworks to understand the political-economic dimensions of global and local sustainability challenges and how state and non-state actors can navigate them to achieve the SDGs. Strong consideration is given to the challenges and opportunities that emerge from global interconnection.
This course introduces students to the theories, strategies, and processes of social innovation and social change. Students learn about sociological and anthropological theories of social change while also learning about various strategic approaches to societal change. Importantly, the course also draws on business theories of innovation such as disruptive innovation and platform business models and examines their potential for driving social change through market mechanisms. Through case studies, students study individuals, groups and organisations who have catalysed positive social change through the market, government, and non-profit organisational channels.
This course provides students with the foundational skills of social science research and design thinking to prepare students to conduct academic research as well as research for practical social innovation research projects. Students learn about qualitative and quantitative research methods and tools to design and execute research projects. Students develop skills in ethnographic methods and conceptual tools used to engage in place-based social inquiry. The course will also provide a theoretical and practical explanation about the research, sampling, data collection, field-visit, interviewing, and details about ethical issues, questionnaires, data analysis and other relevant issues.
Students study the structure and dynamics of organizational systems and learn to design organization structures and create impactful cultures aligned with strategic goals. Consideration is given to the external environment, technology, organisational structure (and their interrelationship), organizational culture and change management. The course also covers innovative business models, financing organizations, and innovation culture. Students learn to recognize, manage and overcome bottlenecks hampering organizational growth, achievement of strategic organizational, and delivering social impact. Students also learn about enterprise models and innovative financing mechanisms that support social impact projects.
In this course, students develop practical skills for understanding sustainability challenges and developing social innovations through a variety of workshops and practical experience. To complement the academic and theoretical knowledge and skills acquired in other courses, students engage in practical design and entrepreneurial workshops to produce social innovation and sustainable solutions. They have the opportunity to engage with and learn first-hand from social entrepreneurs and innovators who are active in creating solutions for pressing societal and environmental challenges.
The goal of ‘Research Methods for social innovation and sustainability’ is to learn how research is being done, and to put that knowledge into practice. Students will learn how to apply a great number of tools and techniques, draw conclusions from the research. It will describe both qualitative and quantitative research, their design, problems and tools to investigate. As a general course on research methodology, it will provide the theoretical and practical explanation about the research, sampling, data collection, field-visit, interviewing, and details about ethical issues, questionnaires, data analysis and other relevant issues. It is expected that this course will enable the participants to take advanced research with
The introductory course provides an overview of ontological and epistemological traditions and their implications for contemporary social science. It covers paradigmatic traditions – programmatic and methodological standpoints. The course also provides an overview of methodological implications and strategies. The course illustrates the building blocks of social science, descriptive strategies, traditions of interpretation, forms of aggregation and strategies of inference, forms of explanation and explanatory strategies. The course concludes with the controversies within the field of philosophy of science.
In this course, students acquire competencies in sustainability defined as “the capability of an organization to transparently manage its responsibilities for environmental stewardship, social well-being, and economic prosperity over the long-term while being held accountable to its stakeholders.” Through this course, students learn how to develop and execute sustainable organisational practices through studying a range of case studies. Students are expected to study local enterprises and learn first-hand from corporate leaders endeavouring to develop sustainable enterprises.
The introductory course provides an overview of ontological and epistemological traditions and their implications for contemporary social science. It covers paradigmatic traditions – programmatic and methodological standpoints. The course also provides an overview of methodological implications and strategies. The course illustrates the building blocks of social science, descriptive strategies, traditions of interpretation, forms of aggregation and strategies of inference, forms of explanation and explanatory strategies. The course concludes with the controversies within the field of philosophy of science.
This reading seminar provides theoretical foundations on sustainability-related issues. The class begins by charting an intellectual history of concepts and their evolution, encompassing various points of entry into the theories, histories, and imaginaries of sustainability. The thematic topics may include definitions and debates; indices, indicators, and measures of sustainability; corporate sustainability; local/municipal sustainability plans and planning; climate change, urbanization, and Anthropocene; ecotopian/dystopian visions from science fiction, design, film studies, and further afield.
The seminar helps the students prepare for their dissertation proposal defense. It is designed to provide guidance on planning, organizing, conducting research in social innovation and sustainability. Reflecting the components of the research proposal, the topics may include the articulation of problem statements and research questions; literature review and conceptual frameworks; research methods; and the logistics of fieldwork preparation.