Course syllabus for Sustainable development and the design professions

Course syllabus adopted 2023-02-13 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameHållbar utveckling och designprofessionerna
  • CodeACE380
  • Credits5 Credits
  • OwnerMPDSD
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyArchitecture
  • ThemeEnvironment 5 c
  • DepartmentARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
  • GradingUG - Pass, Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 17112
  • Open for exchange studentsYes
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0123 Written and oral assignments 5 c
Grading: UG
5 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Aim

The overall aim of the course is to give the background to, and the content of the political and global vision of sustainable development and the different challenges and perspectives involved. The aim is further to present critical perspectives on sustainability questions and the different ways in which the vision of sustainable development implies for the planning, design, and management of the built environment and for the students as future professionals. This course lays the basis for learning about sustainability in its many aspects: lectures and seminars address different theories, approaches, and examples connected to sustainability in a broad sense: ecology; climate change; resilience; social and environmental justice; materials and technology; and cultural, political, economic aspects etc.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

Knowledge and understanding
  • Identify and describe global challenges concerning environmental degradation, climate change, sustainable development, designing for environmental care and the implications of sustainable development within the professions connected in the built environment.
  • Critically review and explain general concepts, methods, strategies and principles for sustainable development in spatial (urban) planning and architectural design
  • Explain environmental challenges and solutions through multiple aspects drawing from sustainability frameworks including, among others, the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Competence and skills
  • Critically assess the role of (urban, architectural, environmental) design towards sustainable development in different contexts and the (environmental and sustainable) qualities of existing design interventions for the built environment.
  • Critically reflect upon questions of sustainable development through a variety of materials provided in the course (course literature, design, planning and environmental projects, films, and lectures) and through assessing the quality and relevance of different sources of information.
Judgement and approach
  • Critically reflect upon their professional role, including ethical considerations, in relation to sustainable development.
  • Develop and explain a personal strategy for future professional practice and design studio work in relation to environmental challenges.

Content

In the course different perspectives on sustainable development are presented and discussed. Further, different perspectives on, and examples of, planning, design and management of the built environment within the context of sustainable development are presented and discussed. The compulsory literature/study material connects to taught lectures in the course and is discussed during seminars.

Organisation

The course comprises lectures, film screenings, literature studies, seminars, and a course assignment. The seminars are carried out in smaller groups. The course assignment is carried out on an individual basis.

Literature

A list of compulsory and reference literature/study material will be presented at the start of the course.

Examination including compulsory elements

To obtain a pass in this course the following requirements must be fulfilled.
  • Presence at scheduled lectures and films - 80 % at the minimum.
  • Active participation in seminars
  • Submission of course assignment in accordance with assigned criteria

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.