Geographies of the Green Transformation

ECTS Credits

10 ECTS

Level of Study

Master

Teaching semester

Spring

Objectives and Content

This course in human geography addresses the concepts, theories and discourses of the green transformation. It situates green transformation-related challenges and solutions, including circular economy, green consumerism, and low-carbon energy production, within the context of a highly unequal and rapidly changing world. The course demonstrates how dynamic political, economic, and technological contexts can amplify environmental injustices yet also present opportunities for transformative responses.

The course has two parts. The first part has a particular emphasis on the diversity of ideas, actors and processes related to differing approaches to to green transformation amid global climate change (e.g., low-carbon energy production) environmental degradation and societal challenges. The geographical focus is on communities, cities and regions, as well as on how individuals, firms and institutions are interlinked and affected. In a second part, students will engage with theoretical and empirical examples to articulate a more critical understanding of the limits of green transformation strategies. The topics and discussions throughout the semester should help students identify the kinds of research questions, methods, and analytic strategies pursued by various social science perspectives in green transformation research, which might be helpful in their studies.

This course is based on active student participation and draws from academic literature on Norway as well as other countries and includes some of the ongoing research in the field.

Learning Outcomes

A student who has completed the course should have the following learning outcomes: 

Knowledge

The student

• has thorough insight about core concepts and theoretical discussion regarding differing approaches to the green transformation.

Skills

The student

• is capable to plan and give a presentation on a specified research question including theory and empirical evidence from secondary sources linked to the main topic of the course.

General competence

The student

• has thorough insight to understand the conditions, processes and effects regarding the geographies of globalization and the green transformation.
• can present and discuss research questions in relation to institutions, governance, planning, sustainability, and policy measures.

Required Previous Knowledge

GEO222 or GEO282, or equivalent.

Recommended Previous Knowledge

Bachelor in Geography

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

• GEO321 (5 ECTS)
• GEO331 (5 ECTS)

Access to the Course

Open for students at Master's level who meets the prerequisites at the following study programmes: .

MASV-GEOG Masterprogram i geografi

MASV-MEHA Master's Programme in Geographies of Sustainable Development

INTL-SV/PSYK/MN/MED/JUS/HF/KMD International students at all UiB faculties

Interested students from other programmes at UiB should contact the Department of Geography (studieveileder@geog.uib.no).

Teaching and learning methods

• 1 lecture per week. 6-8 lectures.
• 3 seminars a 2 hours
• 2 half day seminars á 4 hours

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

Attendance and participation in half day seminars. Compulsory requirements are only valid for the semester in which they are fulfilled and accepted.

Forms of Assessment

Term paper.

Grading Scale

Grading A-F

Assessment Semester

Assessment in teaching semester. New exam the following semester only for students who have valid document of absence.

Reading List

The reading list will be ready before 1 June for the autumn semester and 1 Decemeber for the spring semester.

Course Evaluation

All courses are evaluated according to UiB's system for quality assurance of education.

Programme Committee

The Programme Committee is responsible for the content, structure and quality of the study programme and courses. 

Course Coordinator

Course coordinator and administrative contact person can be found on Mitt UiB.

Course Administrator

The Department of Geography at the Faculty of Social Sciences has the administrative responsibility for the course and the study programme.