Structure of the Curriculum

Social Transformations and Environment (YE)

Course PDF
Social Transformations and Environment (YE)
COURSE OUTLINE
GENERAL
SCHOOLSchool of Economics and Political Science
DEPARTMENTSociology
Level of StudyUndergraduate
COURSE CODE431109
COURSE TITLESocial Transformations and Environment (YE)
Independent Teaching Activities Weekly Teaching Hours CREDIT UNITS
—
Course TypeSpecial Background
Prerequisite CoursesNo
Teaching and Examination LanguageGreek
THE COURSE IS OFFERED TO ERASMUS STUDENTSNo
Course Webpage (URL)
(2) LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

  • they analyze social transformations and environmental changes, focusing on the social, economic, political, and cultural dimensions of the environmental crisis.
  • they analyze how climate change, biodiversity loss, the energy transition, and sustainability are connected to growth models, social inequalities, technological innovation, and collective action.

General Capabilities

  • Cultivation of reflective thought and critical thinking,
  • Search, analysis and synthesis of data and information, using the necessary tools as well: literature search. project development: individual or group work
  • Working in an interdisciplinary environment
  • Generation of new research ideas
  • Respect for diversity and multiculturalism, demonstration of social, professional, and ethical responsibility and gender sensitivity
(3) COURSE CONTENT

The course examines the relationship between social transformations and environmental changes, focusing on the social, economic, political, and cultural dimensions of the environmental crisis. It analyzes how climate change, biodiversity loss, the energy transition, and sustainability are connected with development models, social inequalities, technological innovation and collective action.

The course approaches the environment as socially and politically constructed field, incorporating perspectives from environmental sociology, political ecology, ecological economics, and sustainability studies.

The goal is the development critical understanding of the social changes required for a just and sustainable transition.

Thematic Units

1. Introduction to Environmental Sociology and Social Transformations

2. Society, nature and development: theoretical approaches

3. Climate change and social impacts

Environmental inequalities and environmental justice

5. Political ecology and natural resource conflicts

6. Sustainable development and critical approaches

7. Green transition, energy and society

8. Circular economy, consumption, and ecological footprint

9. Urban transformations and ecological cities

10. Agricultural systems, food, and environment

11. Technology, innovation and ecological transformation

12. Social movements, environmental activism and collective action

13. Environmental Policies and International Governance

14. Socio-ecological transformation scenarios and a sustainable future

(4) TEACHING & LEARNING METHODS – EVALUATION
DELIVERY METHODFace to face
Information and Communication Technologies
  • PowerPoint presentation,
  • Display of supporting audiovisual material
  • Support of the learning process through the e-class electronic platform
Activity Semester Workload
Lectures 39
Work 39
Standalone Study 69
Participation in exams 3
Course Summary 150
Student Evaluation
Process Description Evaluation
  1. Attendance and Participation (10%)
  2. Preparation and Presentation of a Project (40%)
  3. Final Exam (50%)

Includes:

  • Comparative evaluation of theories & critical evaluation of a specific case

They are listed and available on e-class

(5) RECOMMENDED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Suggested Bibliography

  • Foster, J. B. (2000), *Marx’s Ecology*, Monthly Review Press.
  • Buttel, F. H. (2002), Environmental Sociology, Sage.
  • Giddens, A. (2009), The Politics of Climate Change, Polity.
  • Klein, N. (2014), *This Changes Everything*, Simon & Schuster.
  • Moore, J. (2015), Capitalism in the Web of Life, Verso.
  • Rockström, J. et al. (2009), Planetary Boundaries, Nature.
  • Raworth, K. (2017), *Doughnut Economics*, Random House.
  • Harvey, D. (2014), Seventeen Contradictions and the End of Capitalism, Oxford.

Related Scientific Journals

  • Organization & Environment (SAGE)

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Secretariat telephone numbers

secr@soc.uoa.gr

Email Secretariat

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