Sustainable Societies: How social science helps to solve environmental problems - JSB729

• Title: Sustainable Societies: How social science helps to solve environmental problems
• Guaranteed by: Department of Sociology (23-KS)
• Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences
• Actual: from 2022
• Semester: winter
• E-Credits: 7
• Examination process: winter s.:
• Hours per week, examination: winter s.:0/2, Ex [HT]
• Capacity: unknown / unlimited (unknown)
• Min. number of students: unlimited
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: taught
• Language: English
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan; enabled for web enrollment
• Guarantor: Mgr. Jan Urban, Ph.D.
• Teacher(s): Mgr. Jan Urban, Ph.D.
• Class: Courses for incoming students

Annotation

Last update: Mgr. Jan Urban, Ph.D. (05.10.2022)

Sustainable Societies: How social science helps to solve environmental problems

Instructor: Jan Urban ([e-mail])

Annotation:
This course (i) introduces participants to current theories of environmental problems in
social sciences and (ii) demonstrates how such theories can be practically used to
understand and solve pressing environmental problems. The course combines the reading of
recent scientific articles and book chapters with participation in quantitative research that will
take place over the semester. The goal of this research will be to demonstrate how social
scientific theories can be used to understand and alleviate environmental problems. We
assume that participants are interested in environmental problems and have elementary
(undergraduate-level) notion of quantitative research. We expect that participants are willing
to challenge themselves as well as instructors through discussions and inputs throughout the
research process.
1) The course focuses on understanding and use of selected research methods applied
in environmental and transport psychology to analyze the relationship between
physical environment and human behavior. The main goal of the course is to provide
students with instruments to analyze social-science concepts such as attitudes,
motivations or preferences related to environmental topics. We expect students to
gain relevant knowledge and ability to be able to design their own research, use
research methods properly, conduct statistical analysis, and correctly interpret
obtained results.
2) Students participate in a real research project, proposed by a small team of
researchers. Students ideally participate in all steps of the entire research process,
i.e. literature research, design of measures, data collection, data analysis in language
R and interpretation of the results. The main teaching method in the course is
“learning by trying”.

Aim of the course

Last update: Mgr. Jan Urban, Ph.D. (05.10.2022)

Course Objectives

1. Learn about important social theories of pro-environmental motivation and behavior.

2. Learn about theoretically-driven interventions that can leverage pro-environmental behavior. 

3. Do a joint research project and gain a bit of practical experience with organizing and conducting behavioral research.

Literature

Last update: Jana Vojanová (10.09.2021)

Obligatory reading:

Kanazawa, M. (2018). Research methods for environmental studies: A social science approach. Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY: Routledge. (selected chapters)

Robbins, P., Hintz, J., & Moore, S. A. (2014). Environment and society: A critical introduction (Second edition). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (selected chapters)

Stern, M. J. (2018). Social science theory for environmental sustainability: A practical guide (First edition). Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. (selected chapters)

Webster, M., & Sell, J. (Ed.). (2014). Laboratory experiments in the social sciences (Second edition). London, UK: Elsevier/Academic Press. (selected chapters)

 

Recommended reading:

Kanazawa, M. (2018). Research methods for environmental studies: A social science approach. Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY: Routledge.

Robbins, P., Hintz, J., & Moore, S. A. (2014). Environment and society: A critical introduction (Second edition). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Stern, M. J. (2018). Social science theory for environmental sustainability: A practical guide (First edition). Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.

Webster, M., & Sell, J. (Ed.). (2014). Laboratory experiments in the social sciences (Second edition). London, UK: Elsevier/Academic Press.

 

Requirements to the exam

Last update: Mgr. Jan Urban, Ph.D. (05.10.2022)

Evaluation (0-100)

30% participation in the joint research (points per activity, about 20 activities)

30% written tests (6 tests, each worth 5 points)

40% homework assignments

 

Grading 

80-100: A

60-79: B

40-59: C

30-39: D

20-29: E

0 - 19: F

Syllabus

Last update: Mgr. Jan Urban, Ph.D. (05.10.2022)

Course Schedule

1. (Oct 4) Orientation

2. (Oct 11) How bad the situation is and what can be done about that? Mapping the state of the environment, climate, and biosphere, surveying relevant academic, gray, and non-academic literature. Mapping the mitigation measures that are suggested in the most authoritative reports and review papers.

3. Pro-environmental behavior (models)

4. Pro-environmental behavior (behavioral change)

5. Experimental research design and other RDs

6. Pre-registration and power analysis

7. Data analysis and presentation

Week 8: Selected problem: Food consumption

Week 9: Selected problem: Consumption of other goods and services

Week 10: Selected problem: Support for environmental policies

Week 11: Selected problem: Cognitive aspects of environmental problems shown on example of global climate change

Week 12: Wrap up: What have we learned about environmental problems and how did we contribute to solution of environmental problems?

 

Up-to-date version of the extended syllabus can be found in this document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rMkBEDUavyArhNdW9WePJcg0TN9HWtD3PySf4LuGO3Y/edit?usp=sharing