Seminar: Applied Sustainability Assessment (M.Sc.)

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• EN - Please note: This page has no German version because the course is only offered in English.

Quick Info: Master Human Geography and Sustainability I Seminar I English I 2 SWS I 3 ECTS

Quick Info: Enrolment exclusively via LSF

Overview - Seminar: Applied Sustainability Assessment (M.Sc.)

This integrative, hands-on course prepares M.Sc. Geography students to successfully undertake their semester’s research essay by transforming abstract sustainability concepts into a structured, research-ready project.

Over four days, students will move from identifying a real-world sustainability challenge to designing a full assessment framework—including problem framing, method selection, indicator development, simulated analysis, and critical reflection.

The course emphasises applied learning, collaborative problem-solving, and academic rigour, ensuring students leave with a solid foundation for their final essay.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Frame a sustainability issue as a focused, researchable question.
• Select and justify an appropriate assessment method (e.g., LCA, Ecological Footprint, Social Impact Assessment, Vulnerability analysis).
• Translate abstract concepts (e.g., sustainability, equity, resilience) into measurable indicators.
• Design a feasible study plan with clear data sources and analytical steps.
• Simulate a sustainability assessment using realistic (but simplified) data.
• Interpret results critically, including sensitivity and uncertainty analysis.
• Reflect on methodological choices, limitations, and ethical considerations.
• Develop a complete, research-ready outline and action plan for their semester essay.

Course Structure

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Blockseminar (4 Days):
• Day 1: Problem Framing & Research Question Development
• Day 2: Method Selection & Indicator Design
• Day 3: Study Design & Simulated Assessment
• Day 4: Reflection & Essay Planning

Format

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• The seminar relies on mixed methods of instruction, with a focus on interaction and student participation, including:
• Lecturer input
• Readings and discussion of literature
• Group exercises
• Individual and joint critical reflections
• Mutual constructive support