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Poslední úprava: Mgr. Jan Urban, Ph.D. (05.10.2022)
Instructor: Jan Urban (jan.urban@czp.cuni.cz) 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”. |
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Poslední úprava: 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. |
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Poslední úprava: 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.
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Poslední úprava: 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 |
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Poslední úprava: 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 |