Economic Development and Innovation Studies (UNU)

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United Nations University
Maastricht Economic and Social Research and Training Centre on Innovation and Technology (Netherlands)

Course: Environment and Sustainable Development

Course Description

This course will examine policy responses to environmental problems caused by economic development with special attention to innovation. The central topic of the course is innovation for the environment, which is explored through a number of lectures and discussion meetings. Syllabus This course will examine policy responses to environmental problems caused by economic development with special attention to innovation. The central topic of the course is innovation for the environment, which is explored through a number of lectures and discussion meetings.

The course will have a strong methodological focus. Students will learn about the role of theory, the difference between positivistic and interpretative research traditions and ways to combine different methods and theories. At the end of the course they must write a paper in which they scrutinise a scientific article (or book chapter) of their own choice on the topic of eco-innovation or green development, analysing how the findings depend on the research methods and analytical framework that is applied and whether other sources of information and causal explanations are overlooked. The paper should be in a journal article format.

The course will thus teach methodological knowledge besides substantive knowledge about issues related to innovation and governance pertaining to sustainable development. The course will also acquaint student with institutional theory and governance – how the plurality of interests is transformed into coordinated action and the compliance of actors is achieved.

Topics

1. Environmental degradation and poverty
2. Sustainable development
3. Innovation for sustainable development
4. Environmental management and innovation strategies
5. Societal transformations
6. Institutional theory
7. Governance for sustainable development
8. Policy responses to environmental degradation
9. Capacity development for innovation
10. Research methods