Activating Transformations for Sustainability

The course is reserved for program students and cannot be taken as a single course.

ACTIONS is an interfaculty master’s course that develops students’ capabilities in teamwork and innovation for sustainability. The course is grounded in praxis, with students applying theoretical frameworks to actively address pressing sustainability challenges in Northern Norway.

The course engages students in interdisciplinary teams to develop innovative proposals for transformative actions in response to actual sustainability challenges provided by public, private, and non-governmental partners from Northern Norway. Direct engagement with external partners from the region ensures that the learning through innovative hands-on approaches is anchored in authentic locally relevant challenges.

The course draws on experiential, collaborative, transformative and challenge-based approaches to learning. Teaching occurs through diverse formats, including an interactive challenge forum with partner organisations, in-person lectures, online modules, facilitated activities in group seminars, and a closing conference where students present the innovative proposals for transformative actions developed throughout the course.

ACTIONS provides students with opportunities to deepen their understanding and engagement with teamwork and innovation for sustainability and strengthen skills highly valued by employers and society at large - including critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, adaptability and responsibility.

In this way, ACTIONS equips students with competences to creatively and collaboratively work across disciplines to innovate and shape transformative change for just and sustainable futures.

Knowledge

• advanced knowledge of the complexity and underlying causes of sustainability challenges
• thorough knowledge of innovation theories and models relevant for addressing global sustainability challenges in local contexts
• specialized insight into methods and principles for constructive collaboration in interdisciplinary teams, including the role and value of diversity
• advanced knowledge of transformative change, including key frameworks for advancing just and sustainable futures

Skills

• analyse complex challenges from multiple perspectives and integrate knowledge across different disciplines
• develop and iteratively adapt innovative responses to complex challenges
• communicate innovative proposals for transformative actions to diverse stakeholders 
• contribute to interdisciplinary teams in ways that are caring, creative and collaborative
• manage dilemmas and work towards collective decisions in the face of uncertainty and conflicting values

General competence

• recognise and reflect on the interconnectedness of social and ecological systems
• assume responsibility as an agent of positive change for nature and people
• collaborate effectively and respectfully across diverse values, perspectives, and knowledge systems
• recognise and manage emotions linked to collaboration, complexity, and change 
• develop innovative projects that challenge the status quo and advance transformative change for just and sustainable futures

Lectures, Interactive Seminars, Online Modules, Group Work.

The course requires physical presence and is not designed for students who cannot attend lessons, groupwork or similar activities.

Language of instruction and examination

The language of instruction is English and the exam will be given in English.

However, there will be a possibility for students to answer their exam in a Scandinavian language.

Schedule

More info about the coursework requirements

Attendance at seminars and events: A minimum of 80% attendance at the seminars and events.

Online module assignments: The work requirement is delivered individually.

Reflective journal entries: The work requirement is delivered individually.

More info about the oral exam

Participate in two oral exams in groups during a closing conference:

• a group presentation of the project developed throughout the semester, followed by reflective discussions
• reviewing and giving constructive feedback on the project and presentation of another group

Re-sit examination