Innovation and sustainable development, 15 credits

Validation

This course syllabus was validated by the Management Board of the School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies at Södertörn University on 2019-01-30 according to the stipulations in the Higher Education Ordinance.

Entry requirements

60 credits in Social Science, Environmental Science, Development Studies, or the equivalent. English B or the equivalent.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student is able to:

• analyse and explain the relationship between innovation, inclusion and sustainable development under different economic, ecological and social conditions,
• analyse innovation and developmental factors, changes and processes from different theoretical perspectives
• explain which, why and how policies in different sectors may impact innovation capacity in low or middle income countries
• analyse the elements and linkages in innovation systems in a particular country or region, or for a specific technology or social innovation
• identify differences, complexities and challenges in global, regional and local innovation systems
• critically review how policies for innovation, entrepreneurship and education are linked to a society’s ecological, environmental, political, economic and societal conditions
• problematise cultural factors that are important in the adoption and adaptation of external innovations
• independently produce summaries of scientifically reviewed literature in innovation and development, as well as present scholarly material both orally and in writing
• evaluate the importance of the quality, validity and relevance of official and international innovation indicators and critically review their applicability to the global goals for sustainable development
• critically discuss the societal debate about knowledge and technology transfer, and evaluate the role of learning in development processes
• develop a critical approach to ethical issues in development of science, technology and innovation from the perspectives of justice, gender and sustainability

Course content, modules and examinations

This course covers indicators and measurement methods for innovation, adapted to the context of low and middle income countries, as well as tools for analysing the indicators’ quality, validity and relevance. Statistical data and their usability for innovation policy and practice are discussed using the global goals for sustainable development as a basis. International cooperation and partnerships focusing on knowledge and technology development are discussed in the context of the ambitions of global goal 17. There is particular examination of the role of innovation in developing agriculture, water and sanitation, as well as energy provision, but also on the basis of changes to working conditions and the environmental consequences of technological and organisational choices. Using these theories, students are provided with tools to analyse how socioeconomic and cultural conditions, human rights, equality and the environment influence and are influenced by innovation policy and practice. These theories need to be supplemented by other perspectives in order to understand how actors can cooperate to solve challenges relating to sustainable development and combatting poverty. Political economics gives us tools for analysing power relationships and perspectives on justice that are significant for developing technology and social innovations. Political ecology gives us perspectives that can help us to integrate environmental perspectives into innovation processes. The course also includes theories relating to knowledge development and learning and how these can contribute to understanding the opportunities presented by innovation in tackling global challenges.

Course design

The course comprises lectures, group work, seminars and project work. Group work, seminars and project work are obligatory.

Examination format

1001 Innovation and sustainable development:

• written examination, 7.5 credits
• written assignments that are presented orally and in writing, individually and in groups
• written take-home exam

1002 Innovation and sustainable development:

• Project work, 7.5 credits

The grading criteria are distributed prior to the start of a course or module.

If a student has a certificate from Södertörn University for compensatory support, the examiner has the right to decide on an adapted examination or alternative form of examination in accordance with Södertörn University's regulations.

Restrictions on accreditation

The course may not be accredited as part of a degree if the contents are partly or wholly the same as a course previously taken in Sweden or elsewhere.