The following learning outcomes are expected from the course:
− Ability to develop a sustainable approach to technology development using appropriate methods and tools
− Ability to take a systemic and holistic view of the environmental impacts of technologies
− Understanding of technological opportunities to support sustainable development
− Critical thinking about technology development
The course will address the following main objectives:
− Understanding the systemic nature of sustainable development
− Understanding how technologies can integrate sustainable development goals
− Analysis of technological opportunities in the face of sustainable development
− Critical questioning of technological development in light of sustainable development goals
The course will cover the environmental impact of technologies from two perspectives. What is the environmental cost of technologies and how can it be measured? How can the use of technologies have a positive impact on the environment? It will also address the place of citizens, businesses, and governments in these two questions.
Students will address these questions in a group work on the analysis of a company of their choice.
− Introduction: Concept of sustainable development and history, course objectives [2-4h]
− Part 1. Systems thinking and sustainable development [4h]
− Part 2. Measuring the environmental cost of technologies (life cycle assessment) [4h]
− Part 3. Technological opportunities for sustainable development (smart sustainable cities, sustainable HCI, etc.) [6-8h].
− Part 4. Group work presentation [2h]
The evaluation is based on the work that will be done during the semester (30% for the written report, 30% for the presentation and the Q&A exchange) and on an individual oral exam (40%) on the theoretical concepts discussed in the course and their link with the group work done earlier.
The content of the course is based on scientific articles which references will be communicated at the end of each course as well as on the following books:
− Ehrenfeld, J. (2008). Sustainability by design: A subversive strategy for transforming our consumer culture. Yale University Press.
− Meadows, D. H. (2008). Thinking in systems. Chelsea Green Publishing.
− Meadows, D., Sweeney, L. B., & Mehers, G. M. (2016). The climate change playbook: 22 systems thinking games for more effective communication about climate change. Chelsea Green Publishing.
| Training | Study programme | Block | Credits | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master in Business Engineering, Professional focus | Standard | 0 | 3 | |
| Master in Business Engineering, Professional focus | Standard | 1 | 3 |