November 15-19, 2021, Copenhagen, Denmark
Convened by the Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Aim and content
In the context of increasingly acute global socio-ecological dilemmas, there is growing debate about the dominant economic growth-based socio-economic model. Globally, there is a close correlation between GDP growth and the social metabolism of the global economy, as visible in e.g. extraction of materials and GHG emissions. At the same time, GDP growth in wealthy nations delivers less and less by way of increasing happiness and other indicators of wellbeing. This course aims to impart in participants critical questions, concepts, and theories to understand and unpack the merits and problems of growth in our current context and especially, explore alternatives from multiple perspectives.
This course will engage in the ‘degrowth’ / ‘postgrowth’ discourse through the perspectives of the complementary and established traditions of e.g. ecological economics, feminist scholarship, and more. ‘Degrowth’ (sometimes called ‘postgrowth’ to more explicitly suggest new trajectories) stems from acknowledgement of the failure of economic growth-based models of ‘development’ inherent to capitalism. Degrowth rejects the ‘decoupling’ myth that economic growth can continue alongside ecological sustainability through e.g. future green technologies. Degrowth aims to reinvigorate societal organization, placing wellbeing for all species and natural systems at the center and rethinking current paradigms of economics, work culture and labor, care relations and roles, decision-making, and much more. Drawing from various scholarly traditions, the course will provide theoretical insights to the steadily expanding degrowth discourse, alongside guidance to reinvigorate practices – academic, institutional, and personal.
In brief, this course will survey theoretical contributions to degrowth while emphasizing praxis in multiple social spheres and similarly, scholar-activism. The course unfolds following a progression that includes governing for degrowth prefiguring degrowth, and activism for degrowth.
Expected learning outcomes
- The course aims to enable and advance critical engagement with degrowth scholarship and praxis. Learning outcomes include:
Knowledge of key arguments within degrowth studies from multiple academic perspectives (e.g. ecological economics, feminist scholarship, political economy, and more). - Analytical and evaluative skill development in relation to research, policies and practices drawing on the field of degrowth studies.
- Competence to imagine new policies, practices, etc. and elaborate and enact theories of change.
Teaching and learning methods (including COVID19 considerations)
The course entails lectures with substantial plenary and group discussion (so be prepared to share) and convivial encounters (including a common dinner, films, etc. in the after-hours). Note, participants should only enroll if they are prepared to fulfill Danish COVID19 entry requirements. This website may be helpful https://en.coronasmitte.dk/rules-and-regulations/entry-into-denmark- and perhaps particularly the rules applying to ‘Foreigners habitually resident abroad’ (see the link therein).
Course assessment
- Course assessment is constituted by three requirements:
In advance of the course, all participants must read texts / preparatory materials assigned by lecturers. - In advance of the course, participants must work together in groups to prepare and then submit short reflection pieces and prepare critical questions to the texts assigned by lecturers.
- Active participation throughout – all sessions are mandatory.
ECTS: 5
Course dates: November 15-19, 2021
Deadline to apply: September 5, 2021 (Official registration and payment link will be provided followed acceptance). See ‘Practicalities’ below for details on how to apply.
Venue: Institute of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 25, 1958 Frederiksberg, Denmark
Fee: 75 euro nonrefundable
Literature and schedule: To be confirmed following enrollment. A detailed program and full literature list will be communicated shortly after approval of your application.
Primary lecturers (along with guests from social movements, cooperatives, and academia)
- Wendy Harcourt, Professor of Gender, Diversity and Sustainable Development, International Institute of Social Studies in The Hague, Erasmus University Rotterdam
- Erik Gómez-Baggethun, President of the European Society for Ecological Economics and Professor of Environmental Governance, Department of International Environment and Development Studies/Noragric, Norwegian University of Life Sciences
- Jens Friis Lund, Professor of Political Ecology, Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen
- Rebecca Rutt, Assistant Professor of European Environmental Policy, Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen (Course organizer)
Practicalities and enrollment
The course will be held at the Frederiksberg Campus of the University of Copenhagen and will be open to 20 participants. We invite applications from PhD candidates whose research interests align with the thematic scope of the course. Candidates should apply by sending both a 1-page CV and a max 500-word outline of their project. This outline should specify how their PhD project relates to the overall theme of this course (including the theoretical and methodological approaches adopted), or describe their motivation for attending the course including how it might inform their future research and practice. Applications should be sent to Rebecca Rutt (rlr@ifro.ku.dk), no later than September 5, 2021. Selected applicants will be notified shortly thereafter. Participants must then pay a nonrefundable fee of 75€ to confirm their participation. Lunch on all days and one dinner will be provided. Participants must cover their own transport and accommodation. We encourage participants to take land-based travel if at all possible. Accommodation suggestions and other practical information will be sent following approval of registration. We are unable to provide grants to cover travel and accommodation, but if you need letters of support to apply for external funding, just get in touch. Working language is English.
Questions can be sent to Rebecca Rutt (rlr@ifro.ku.dk). We look forward to hearing from you!
