WISO300665 Farming resilience and social sustainability

Type
Project course
Semester hours
3
Lecturer (assistant)
Darnhofer, Ika
Organisation
Agricultural and Forestry Economics
Offered in
Sommersemester 2026
Languages of instruction
Englisch
Content

In this course you are invited to explore various empirical issues and theoretical perspectives related to resilience and social sustainability in the context of family farming in Europe.
Farming resilience is the capacity of farms to thrive despite unpredictable change. The focus is on how family members adapt practices, aspirations and roles, how they transform the farm activities in response to internal dynamics (such as shifting preferences of family members, the family life cycle) and external dynamics (such as new societal demands, ambivalent market opportunities and the diverse impacts of the climate crisis).
Social sustainability addresses the conditions under which farming families and those working with them can maintain wellbeing over time. This includes the impact of dominant norms in farming communities, issues of gender, inclusivity and diverse identities, mental and physical health, relationship dynamics, work-life balance, and the fair treatment of farm workers. Social sustainability also extends beyond the farm to encompass broader social issues such as cultural identities, access to land, traditional knowledge systems, and food justice.
Overall, the course foregrounds the ‘human dimension’ of farming, asking what enables farmers to engage in open-ended processes of change to sustain wellbeing, meaningful work and a sense of agency in world that increasingly seems volatile and uncertain, with fluid, ambiguous and contested socio-economic conditions.

See detailed syllabus offered for download below (under additional information)

Please note that attendance at the first class is compulsory.
Previous knowledge expected

Students should have completed their Bachelor.
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
• Demonstrate advanced understanding of key issues, theoretical perspectives and current debates on farming resilience and social sustainability in the European context.
• Critically analyse empirical cases and scholarly literature on family farming, resilience, and social sustainability and articulate well-reasoned arguments in written form.
• Make responsible and reflexive use of Large Language Models (LLMs) and other generative AI tools to support critical inquiry, academic writing, and professional communication.
• Reflect on your own values, assumptions and positionality in relation to farming and social sustainability and strengthen your ability to discuss your views in constructive, respectful and open dialogue with peers.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.