Sustainability Transition and social change

Language

English

Prerequisites

Students are expected to have completed or be currently taking courses covering systems thinking and organizational change (or have completed corresponding readings).

Main themes

The course addresses interconnected themes essential for understanding and creating transformative change:
Psychology of unsustainability and inertia (climate inaction) & psychology of (social) change: Examining the psychological factors underlying resistance to change and the psycho-social dynamics of transformative action.
The role of the political-economic paradigm in unsustainability: The course examines how the economic paradigm based on growth and extraction - and the beliefs and ideologies underpinning it - creates conditions for unsustainability.
Paradigm change: Students explore paradigm change as the highest leverage point for transformation.
Civil society and social transformation: The course examines the role of civil society (corporate citizenship) and social movements (within and beyond organizations) in paradigmatic change.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	At the end of this course, students will be able to: Understand core concepts of the psychology of unsustainability and inertia (climate inaction) and the psychology of (social) change in the context of the sustainability transition [LSM Competency 2: Knowledge and reasoning; LSM Competency 3: Scientific and systematic approach] Critically assess the current political-economic paradigm and its role in perpetuating the polycrisis, including understanding extractivism and growthism [LSM Competency 1: Corporate citizenship; LSM Competency 2: Knowledge and reasoning] Understand paradigm change and why it represents the highest leverage point for transformation [LSM Competency 2: Knowledge and reasoning; LSM Competency 3: Scientific and systematic approach] Understand core concepts of social change in the context of the sustainability transition [LSM Competency 2: Knowledge and reasoning; LSM Competency 3: Scientific and systematic approach] Understand civil society's (corporate citizenship & social movements) role in driving paradigmatic change [LSM Competency 1: Corporate citizenship; LSM Competency 6: Teamwork and leadership]

Content

This course examines how social change happens in the context of sustainability transitions across interconnected levels: individual, organizational, and societal - from personal mindset shifts to paradigm shifts.
The course is structured around the themes:
Psychology of unsustainability and change: Students explore the psychological factors underlying climate inaction and unsustainable behaviors, as well as the psychological dimensions of (social) change processes (within and beyond organizations). We examine the cognitive, emotional, and motivational aspects of both resistance to change and transformative action.
The political-economic paradigm and unsustainability: The course critically examines how the dominant economic paradigm based on growth and extraction – along with the beliefs and ideologies underpinning it – creates structural conditions for unsustainability. Students analyze concepts such as extractivism, growthism, and their systemic consequences.
Paradigm change as leverage point: Building on systems thinking, students explore paradigm change as the highest leverage point for transformation. We examine how fundamental shifts in worldviews, values, and belief systems can catalyze systemic change toward sustainability
Civil society and social transformation: The course examines the role of civil society (corporate citizenship) and social movements – both within and beyond organizations – in driving paradigmatic change.

Teaching methods

The course employs diverse pedagogical approaches designed to develop both analytical capabilities and practical organizing skills:

• Interactive lectures
• Discussing academic articles
• Flipped classroom approach

Evaluation methods

1. Active Participation (individual, 35%)

• Class participation in discussions, exercises, and collective project activities
• Reflection journal documenting learning process and development of theory of change (students from the major submit one reflective paper with distinct parts for the courses of the major – for details see Moodle)

Re-sit: There is no opportunity to re-sit this part of the assessment. Failure to actively participate will result in a grade of 0 for the assignment.
2. Flipped Classroom - Paradigm Shift (group, 65%)
Small groups of students conduct a comprehensive analysis of a significant paradigm shift or transformative social change (in organizations or at the societal level) and teach the rest of the class about it.
Analysis examines how the transformation happened, including:

• Political-economic / societal context and systemic contradictions that created conditions for change
• Role of multiple actors
• Systems dynamics
• Strategic approaches employed
• Power dynamics
• Outcomes
• Timeline and phases of transformation
• Lessons for understanding contemporary sustainability transitions

Group presentation demonstrating understanding of transformation processes and the interplay of multiple actors.

Other information

This course requires willingness to engage with emotionally challenging content related to polycrises. Students should be prepared for material that may provoke anxiety, grief, or other strong emotional responses. The course provides resources and support for processing these reactions constructively. The course emphasizes collective learning, democratic participation, and mutual support.

Online resources

Dedicated Moodle site with readings and assignment guidelines

Bibliography

Required readings provided via Moodle

Teaching materials

• The complete syllabus will be uploaded on Moodle.

Faculty or entity

> CLSM