Sustainability Education in my teaching. Part 1, Getting started

While sustainaibility relates to almost any discipline and subject, many lecturers are unsure how their teaching can contribute to transformative change. This module shows a simple way to get started on your own and with others. 

Image of UiO campus and greenery around
Photo: Lin Stensrud

Why choose this module?

Sustainability education has become a central requirement for the effective contribution of universities to the transformative change needed throughout society. A substantial hurdle is that as teachers/lecturers we often feel at a loss to see how the big scenarios relate to our own teaching. In fact, the complexity and the breadth of the involved issues provides ample opportunity for contributing but if there is little discussion of the topic among colleagues, many do not know where to start. The module provides a hands-on approach past this hurdle. 

Context

Since 2022, Norwegian universities are formally required to contribute to sustainable development through their core functions of research and education. One of the central challenges is that sustainability is a broad term, used in widely different ways. This can make sustainability education appear overwhelming, difficult to pin down, and unclear where one should begin.  

This module will focus less on defining what ‘Sustainability’ is and more on what it is about which is how to continue living together on the Earth. In addition, each subject/discipline will contribute their/our specific interests, perspectives, foci. 

The module is about overcoming the challenges and taking concrete first steps to implement , at least some form of, sustainability education as a part of the teaching in your subject area – starting with the lecture or course, or even program, where you have responsibility. Small is good for the first step. If you have prior experience, get in touch with the course leaders to find ways you might enjoy contributing your insight as a resource for others. 

Part 2

Another Elective module Part 2, is offered in the autumn. Together these two modules form the equivalent of a large module (30 hours). Please register separately for the two parts. 

In this module, you learn about

  • Ways in which ecology and social/societal issue might be interconnected with your own discipline/subject, in a small way or not so small
  • How to make a first or next step by participating in a co-creative process of integrating some form of sustainability education into your own teaching
  • Motivation and how to extend the process beyond the course
  • How to continue after stumbling, especially if the class gets instances of ?this didn’t work as I’d planned?
  • At the end, you will have created teaching materials for your own teaching and have gained process experience for transformative change

The educational (pedagogisk) approach is experience-based. Pedagogical aims:

  • Motivation through action/mestring
  • Experience in an approach to taking responsibility where you are
  • Experience in exploring together/community building.
  • Stimulating interest in creative, self-sustaining learning and development processes.

Organisation

The core is four sessions, mostly in a hands-on workshop style. First to third sessions last two hours each and final session lasts four hours.  

Between the sessions, there will be assignments requiring approximately 5 hours of work, including a short draft report. The final session ends the course.  

After the end, support for voluntary improvement of the written report will be offered for those who want to write a more substantial report.

Practical Information

  • The spoken language is English. You can write your assignments in a Scandinavian language.
  • Participants: Academic staff at the University of Oslo

  • Module scope: 15 hours

  • Admission requirement: At the moment of application, you must have started or completed the 'Foundation module' in English or Norwegian
  • The application period for the spring semester of 2025 will open on October 7th, 2024, and close on November 15th, 2024.

Module dates spring 2025

Mandatory sessions