ENSb1307 Flourishing within limits to growth

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
0/0/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Brian D. Fath, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Karel Stibral, Ph.D.
Department of Environmental Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Kateřina Müllerová
Supplier department: Department of Environmental Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Thu 26. 9. 15:00–18:00 bude_upresneno, Thu 3. 10. 15:00–18:00 bude_upresneno, Thu 10. 10. 15:00–18:00 bude_upresneno, Thu 17. 10. 15:00–18:00 bude_upresneno, Thu 24. 10. 15:00–15:50 U23, 16:00–17:40 U43, Thu 31. 10. 15:00–18:00 bude_upresneno
Prerequisites
TYP_STUDIA(B)
None
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 25 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 18/25, only registered: 1/25, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/25
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 14 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
1. To provide students with a basic understanding of the environment as a system including the biological, physical, and chemical foundations of ecosystem services
2. To understand how nature provides resources and constraints to socio-economic development and to students’ everyday life.
3. To learn how human activities impact and interfere with this ecological functioning
4. To explore how human activities could promote sustainable, win-win, flourishing outcomes within these limits
Learning outcomes
Students will be able to:
1. Gather and analyze evidence from a variety of sources pertinent to the issue under study.
2. Communicate arguments and conclusions effectively and clearly.
3. Use quantitative reasoning to analyze and/or support scientific information.
4. Know the historical development and the structural nature of a specific scientific discipline.
5. Explain scientific issues of importance to society within scientific, technological, societal and ethical contexts.
Syllabus
  • Course Outline: Arranged in 6- 4 hour blocks; specific readings from Encyclopedia of Ecology, Fath and Jørgensen (eds). 2018. Elsevier; and, Jørgensen SE, Fath BD, Nielsen SN, Pulselli F, Fiscus D, Bastianoni S. 2015. Flourishing Within Limits to Growth: Following nature’s way. Earthscan Publisher. 220 pp.
  • Sept 19 - 3 hours (virtual) 15:00–18:00: Lecture 1: Systems thinking: Where it comes from and where it goes, Human Ecology; Energy sources
  • Readings: Ecological Systems Thinking: D W Orr Human Ecology: Overview: F Steiner
  • Sept 26 - 3 hours (virtual) 15:00–18:00: Lecture 2: Natural ecosystems, ecological succession, ecosystem services, Limits to Growth
  • Readings: Ecosystem Services: K A Brauman and G C Daily Limits to Growth: B D Fath; Flourishing within limits: Jørgensen et al. 2015 Chapter 1
  • Oct 3 - 3 hours (virtual) 15:00–18:00: Lecture 3: Flourishing within limits
  • Readings: Flourishing within limits: Jørgensen et al. 2015 Chapters 2 & 3
  • Oct 10 - 3 hours In person 15:00–18:00: Lecture 4: Flourishing within limits
  • Readings: Flourishing within limits: Jørgensen et al. 2015 Chapters 4 &5
  • Oct 17 - 3 hours (virtual) 15:00–18:00: Lecture 5: Flourishing within limits; summary
  • Readings: Flourishing within limits: Jørgensen et al. 2015 Chapters 6 & 7
  • Oct 24 - 3 hours In person 15:00-18:00, Lecture 6: A path to Sustainability
  • Readings: Flourishing within limits: Jørgensen et al. 2015 Chapters 8 & 9, Ecological Footprint: M Wackernagel and J Kitzes, Exercises relating to ecological footprint and sustainability
Literature
    required literature
  • JØRGENSEN, Sven Erik. Flourishing Within Limits to Growth: Following Nature's Way. Routledge, 2015. info
  • Encyclopedia of ecology. Edited by Sven Erik Jørgensen - Brian D. Fath. 1st ed. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 2008, xxxiv, 819. ISBN 9780444520333. info
Teaching methods
lectures, class discussion
Assessment methods
Active participation in class, final written exam
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught once in two years.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: Výuka bude probíhat blokově.
Information on course enrolment limitations: Minimum: 15 students
Teacher's information
Brian D. Fath Fulbright Distinguished Chair Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University, USA
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2021, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2024/ENSb1307