WISO100538 Rural transformation and climate change

Type
course with continuous assessment
Semester hours
2
Lecturer (assistant)
Penker, Marianne
Organisation
Sustainable Economic Development
Offered in
Wintersemester 2025/26
Languages of instruction
Englisch
Content

- Introduction to and discussion of widely used theories, concepts, tools and methods in social sciences that are relevant to understand rural transformation in European contexts
- Working with scientific texts related to climate change and rural transformation
- Preparing a short position paper for a role play game on developing a climate change adaptation plan for a rural community
- Students possess knowledge of relevant policy instruments, regulatory approaches, and governance structures affecting rural areas in the context of climate change mitigation and adaptation
- Discussion of important topics related to rural transformation and climate change
Previous knowledge expected

no
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

By the end of the class, students are able to:
•Explain major theories and concepts in social sciences relevant to rural transformation (e.g., political ecology, sustainable livelihoods, adaptive social-ecological systems, socio-technical transitions).
•Apply tools and methods to analyze rural change under climate stress (e.g., stakeholder analysis, local adaptation plan).
•Critically engage with scientific texts and policy documents.
•Draft a position paper representing different stakeholders in rural climate adaptation planning.
•Understand policy instruments, governance structures, and regulatory approaches at local, national, and global levels.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.