EDS225 Linking Ecological and Social Resilience

Credits (ECTS):10

Course responsible:Lars Kåre Grimsby

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk

Limits of class size:50

Course frequency:Annually

Nominal workload:250 hours

Teaching and exam period:This course starts in Autumn parallel. This course has teaching/evaluation in Autumn parallel.

About this course

- The concept of resilience - Resilience and vulnerability in ecological and social systems - "Old" and "new" scientific ideas and approaches - The adaptive cycle as a conceptual framework - Linked ecological-social conceptual approaches - Systems approach and social-ecological linkages - Change and uncertainty in social-ecological systems - Nurturing diversity for resilience - Local/traditional resource management systems - Combining different types of knowledge for learning - Resilience of property rights institutions - Adaptive management - Self-organization towards social and ecological sustainability - Resilience as an analytical approach - A range of international case studies - Examples of MSc research projects utilising "resilience"

Learning outcome

Linking Ecological and Social Resilience" will provide a basis for understanding both ecological systems and social systems, emphasising the interlinkages and interdependence between environmental and social processes of change. Emphasis is put on: - learning to live with change and uncertainty - nurturing diversity for resilience - combining different types of knowledge for learning - creating opportunity for self-organization towards social and ecological sustainability. The course will provide students with an innovative conceptual framework, and explain how to use it as an analytical approach when investigating questions of sustainability and development with interdisciplinary perspectives. A variety of case studies from developing countries in an increasingly globalised world will be used to illustrate the theories. Several students have successfully utilised "resilience" as a conceptual framework for their thesis in recent years. Course participants who would like advice on this will be assisted additionally.
  • The course will include lectures, specified readings and class discussions. Group-work with small numbers of students will be based upon joint assignments.
  • The lecturer will be available to meet individual students, or groups of students, outside of the assigned teaching hours to discuss particular topics or issues.
  • The final exam will be oral and count for 100 % of the grade. A-F. The exam is in English only.

    The exam can only be taken if the compulsory activity has been completed in the same year.

  • An external- and internal examiner will evaluate the final oral exam.
  • Presentation of one chosen topic.
  • The class will meet for four hours per week (two double hours). Most weeks will be devoted to lectures and class discussions, but three weeks will be set aside for preparing the presentation.
  • B-IEDS, M-IES, M-IDS
  • Letter grades
  • Minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway (generell studiekompetanse)