Higher Education Didactics for Sustainability
This course aims to empower educators, pedagogical developers, and others involved in teaching and/or curriculum design in higher education to integrate sustainability into teaching practice.
Description
This course is a thematic course, designed using a problem-based learning approach. Such an approach engages learners in small groups to collaborate – through discussion, experience sharing, and collective learning – to explore tools and competencies needed to foster a more sustainable world through education. Lund University is a partner offering this course in collaboration with Karlstad University to participants from around the world.
The course language is English and conducted entirely online, providing you with the opportunity to engage with course materials and collaborate with international peers. To fully participate, you'll need access to a computer and a stable internet connection. The course primarily utilizes Zoom for virtual meetings and may incorporate other digital tools based on the needs of each group.
The course embodies the values of presence, care, honesty, respect, and engagement. Given the nature of the course, attendance, active participation, and adherence to these values is a must for you and your peers to benefit from the collaborative problem-based learning approach.
Course Dates
The course runs from 20 January – 29 April 2025.
Course participants are expected to attend two recurring small-group meetings per week, which are decided at the start of the course by the learning group members. In addition there is a webinar/discussion seminar or workshop once every week for the whole group. These dates are not set yet but are recorded and can therefore be viewed afterwards. The dates will be published by Karlstad University at the end of November 2024.
Scope & Assessment
The course is equivalent to two weeks of pedagogical training, corresponding to 80 hours of full-time work. To receive a certificate, course participants shall demonstrate achievement of the intended learning outcomes by:
- Attend and actively contribute to small group discussions
- Contribute to group creations produced throughout the course
- Write and respond to individual reflection prompts
If a participant does not complete a course within the specified time, all course components must be submitted within three years of commencement in order to receive a course certificate. For doctoral students, the course is translated to credits by the relevant administrator at your department or faculty.
- Critically analyse the paradigms and principles of educational practice in relation to a just transformation of society towards sustainability.
- Apply and evaluate sustainability competencies in the planning and/or implementation of teaching activities, assessing their integration into existing curricula.
- Critique and give suggestions for how to integrate didactical models like holism, pluralism, and transdisciplinarity in relation to education for sustainability, understanding and challenging subject-area educational practices and norms.
- Reflectively explore and assess possible roles of universities in relation to future scenarios, contemplating the ethical implications and responsibilities of higher education institutions in fostering sustainability.
Previous coursework in pedagogy is not required to participate, though completion of our introductory course ‘Teaching and Learning in Higher Education’ or previous teaching experience is recommended.
Course Description
Who is this course for?
This thematic course is suitable for anyone with an interest to integrate sustainability in their teaching practice. Thus, we welcome a wide range of participants.
- Lund University has committed to including sustainability curriculum in all degree programmes. Thus, this course is especially suited for individuals that:
- Wish to receive support, inspiration, and resources to advance teaching for sustainability.
- Wish to respond to changing student needs and expectations, both professionally and civically, during a time of great uncertainty.
- Teach courses that are relevant to sustainability.
- Contribute to curriculum design in a course or degree programme.
- Desire to align their teaching practice with personally held values.
Progression
The thematic course ‘Higher Education Didactics for Sustainability is offered by the Department of Higher Education Development (AHU). It is a collaborative effort of universities in Scandinavia & Europe, coordinated by Karlstad University. For those interested in continuing to develop their competence, learn more about our university-wide initiative called 'Teaching for Sustainability'.
Join the community in 'Teaching for Sustainability' – ahu.lu.se