Course syllabus - Sustainable Production and Consumption

Objectives

The purpose of the course is to understand the concept of Sustainable production and consumption, how it can be implemented in the context of sustainable development and how the impact of production and consumption can be evaluated.

Learning outcomes

After completion of the course should the course participant be able to:
1. Explain the rise of mass consumption in the historical context.
2. Explain and compare the role and responsibilities of the consumer and other key players in production and consumption.  
3. Describe and evaluate consumption categories, patterns and lifestyles and their environmental impact.
4. Define the concept of sustainable consumption and production and discuss its role in sustainable development.
5. Identify and value aspects of equity related to consumption.
6. Classify and distinguish different models and principles that contribute to resource efficiency and sustainable development.
7. Select and use indicators to assess resource efficiency and sustainability.
8. Develop and value measures that contribute to solve current global challenges.

Course content

The course provides an overview of today's consumption from a historical context, including consumption categories, pattern and lifestyles and roles and responsibilities in production and consumption. Moreover, the concept of Sustainable production and consumption is discussed in the context of sustainable development and resource efficiency. Indicators are used to assess measures towards resource efficiency and sustainability.

Tuition

Web-based teaching and assignments.

Specific requirements

120 credits of which 90 credits engineering and/or natural science. In addition Swedish course B/Swedish course 3 and English course B/English course 6 are required. For courses given entirely in English exemption is made from the requirement in Swedish course B/Swedish course 3.

Examination

Home examination (HEM1), 1.5 credits, grades Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E), Insufficient, complementary work possible (Fx), Insufficient (F), (Learning outcomes: 1-7)
Assignment (INL1) 3 credits, grades Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E), Insufficient, complementary work possible (Fx), Insufficient (F), (Learning outcomes: 1-6)
 Project (PRO1) 3 credits, grades Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E), Insufficient, complementary work possible (Fx), Insufficient (F), (Learning outcomes: 7, 8)

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Excellent, Very good, Good, Satisfactory, Sufficient, Insufficient, complementary work possible, Insufficient