Duration
Sustainability and transition : 12h Th
Introduction to the environmental humanities : 12h Th
Number of credits
| Bachelor in human and social sciences (New programme) | 2 crédits |
Lecturer
Sustainability and transition : François Melard
Introduction to the environmental humanities : François Melard
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
All year long, with partial in January
If a student fails an examination during the first term:
- They are permitted to resit the assessed subject during the second term (May-June);
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Sustainability and transition
This course aims to provide students with a foundation of scientific knowledge drawn from various disciplines, focusing on the environmental and social challenges of sustainability and transition.
Introduction to the environmental humanities
The course introduces Environmental Humanities as a transdisciplinary field linking social sciences, philosophy, STS, and life and engineering studies, focusing on the social, political, cultural, and democratic issues of climate change and transition, with an introduction to wonder and abduction as drivers of student inquiry. It draws on a body of references and case studies in conjunction with the first credit of the MOOC 'Sustainability and Transition' and its various videos. Two sessions in Q1 contextualise the scope and expectations of the SPOC and the IHE course (including an introduction to the use of the AI platform provided), while four sessions in March explore the conceptual frameworks and investigative methods of the social sciences in relation to the environment.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Sustainability and transition
By the end of this course, and based on the scientific content presented to them, students will be able to ...
- Describe, distinguish between and examine the dynamics and interactions of the various spheres of the Earth system;
- Describe and analyse the interactions between the human system and the Earth system;
- Demonstrate the importance of considering sustainability and transition issues from a systems perspective;
- Develop critical thinking skills and a reflective approach enabling them to analyse current issues;
- Use the scientific knowledge base to combat feelings of eco-anxiety;
This knowledge, practical skills and personal qualities will be developed by combining an interdisciplinary approach - which is essential for understanding and engaging with the various themes - with a discipline-specific approach, enabling students to link their own discipline to the challenges of sustainability and transition.
Introduction to the environmental humanities
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Identify and explain analytical frameworks in environmental humanities (ontological pluralism, STS, ecology of practices, critical approaches) and relate them to issues of transition and sustainability.
- Formulate abductive questions based on surprises and draw on references from the reference corpus and the SPOC.
- Discuss controversial cases, technical policies and infrastructure from socio-technical and environmental justice perspectives, taking into account the democratic implications.
- Reflectively self-assess the use of AI as a tool for documentary exploration and questioning, briefly explaining the criteria, limitations and contributions to the investigation.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Sustainability and transition
None.
Introduction to the environmental humanities
No strict disciplinary prerequisites; basic familiarity with academic reading and note-taking is expected, as well as a willingness to engage in interdisciplinary discussion and critical thinking; access to the SPOC and ULiège MOOC capsules is required, as well as a willingness to experiment with AI tools in a responsible and reflective manner.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Sustainability and transition
Self-directed learning materials include:
- Video clips
- Book chapters
- Scientific articles
- Reports
Introduction to the environmental humanities
> The course will cover:
- an introduction to abduction as a mode of inquiry and the use of AI in this perspective;
- an introduction to environmental humanities as social science approaches to environmental issues and climate change.
> This methodology should enable participants to keep a short reflective journal on the use of AI.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Sustainability and transition
Remote course
Further information:
The course is delivered via distance learning. It consists of a number of short video clips and supplementary reading material. Students will be asked to study the material independently at home.
Introduction to the environmental humanities
Face-to-face course
Further information:
The course will consist of six two-hour face-to-face sessions (one sessions in Q1, five sessions in March), supplemented by asynchronous activities on two platforms (viewing the SPOC/MOOC, querying the corpus via the AI platform).
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Sustainability and transition
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
Students will be able to watch all the videos and access the supplementary reading material via the eCampus platform.
Introduction to the environmental humanities
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
- ULiège MOOC video capsules on 'Transition and Sustainability' and 1 SPOC credit as the main resources for learning about environmental issues;
- A discussion platform with AI integrated into the seminar.
- A collection of digitised texts and books in the field of environmental humanities, provided with restricted access, and a suggested bibliography.
Sustainability and transition
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- Remote
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire )
Further information:
Online assessment in the form of multiple-choice questions and exercises throughout the course. This part of the Sustainability & Transition course accounts for 25 % of the final mark.
Introduction to the environmental humanities
Written work / report
Further information:
Assessment is based exclusively on the individual reflective report submitted at the end of the second four-month term via the platform; this is a prerequisite for passing the course. Failure to submit the report will result in a mark of 'absent' and will lead to a fail, regardless of attendance at the sessions. The assessment of this report accounts for 75 % of the final mark for the 'Sustainability & Transition' course.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
Sustainability and transition
Prof. Sybille Mertens (smertens@uliege.be) et Florianne Fassotte (ffassotte@uliege.be)
Introduction to the environmental humanities
François Mélard - f.melard@uliege.be
Association of one or more MOOCs
Sustainability and transition
The MOOC entitled 'Durabilité & Transition (U1)' is associated with this course.
Introduction to the environmental humanities
The MOOC entitled 'Durabilité & Transition (U1)' is associated with this course.
Further information:
The course is linked to the ULiège MOOC 'Transition and Sustainability' and the first credit of the MOOC 'Sustainability and Transition' as a common knowledge base, with integrated use of the AI platform to query the capsules and the corpus of references; assessments require the systematic articulation of MOOC learning outcomes with the environmental humanities frameworks presented in class.