SUM2509 – The politics of sustainable development
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course will introduce you to the major theoretical and empirical approaches to the study of sustainable development, including the contested nature of the sustainable development discourse at global and national levels. It will highlight core features of the 2030 Agenda and its 17 accompanying Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including issues related to governance and the underlying theory of change. The added value of international goalsetting on sustainable development and attempts to address the climate crisis will feature prominently in the lectures.
As countries in the Global South have called for major reforms of the global financial architecture to better achieve sustainable development, this course will focus on the multilateral governance systems including the United Nations, the World Bank Group, and intergovernmental forums such as the G20 and the BRICS. In addition to identifying and critically discussing the effectiveness of global and national institutional arrangements, the lectures will address the role and availability of finance (including aid) and technology to achieve sustainable development. The relationship between democracy and sustainable development will also be explored, including recent trends of democratic backsliding. By taking this course, you will learn how to better understand what works, how and why in relation to global and national interventions aimed at promoting sustainable development.
Learning outcome
By taking this course, you will
Become well acquainted with the major theoretical and empirical approaches to the study of sustainable development.
Acquire a nuanced understanding of the role, influence, and impact of the multilateral governance on sustainable development.
Gain insight into the explicit role of democracy and politics in achieving sustainable development and addressing climate disruption.
Learn how to understand what works, how and why in sustainable development.?
Admission to the course
Admission to this course requires enrolment in either:
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a bachelor's programme at the University of Oslo.
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a UiO single course student status (Single courses on Bachelor's level - University of Oslo)??
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a programme at a Circle U. university at bachelor's level.
Documentation requirements for Circle U. students: ?
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Confirmation of student status.
Please attach a certificate that confirms that you are currently enrolled as a student at a program on bachelor's/master's level at one of the Circle U. universities. The confirmation must include: -
That you have admission to a study program
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Level of study
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That you are currently enrolled as a student at the program
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Copy of passport or ID-card.
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Name change documentation if your name appears different in any of your documentation.
Application deadline: 1 February 2025.
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Find application form for Circle:U students, here: https://nettskjema.no/a/sum2509-cu
Teaching
This course is a blended intensive course (BIP) consisting of a digital “Meet and greet” followed by the first lecture. The physical teaching is held in an intensive one-week period at the University of Oslo, with all-day sessions five days a week.?
Attendance in lectures and seminars is mandatory, and active participation in class is both expected and encouraged. You must have an attendance of 80% to be eligible to take the exam.?
The course is held together with the masters level course SUM4509 – The politics of sustainable development. Students at BA-level and students at MA-level will take the course together, but the MA-level students will have an extra exam component.?
Examination
2025: Presentation and compulsory assignment
2024: TBA (delayed because of illness)?
2023: 4-hour sit-in exam.?
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.