SDG Detail

PSYCH 715 : Psychology and Sustainability

Postgraduate course

Project description

What would a sustainable society look like? How can psychology help us get there? If you are concerned about the viability of our current way of life, and keen to explore how we can create a future that promotes human and ecological flourishing then this course is for you. Welcome! The first half of the course will consist of lectures, discussions, group exercises and readings on a) sustainability values b) sustainability threats c) dialogue and consensus decision making and d) how research on emotions, learning through imitation, identity, belonging, and moral development can be applied to address these issues and promote values-based sustainability. Students will write an opinion piece on a sustainability issue and undertake a personal challenge. The second half of the course will involve students proposing a strategy or intervention to encourage a sustainability �culture� or sustainability practices within an organisation or community you are familiar with. Alternatively, you could propose a broader social change initiative. Each student will then showcase their proposal in a 15 minute presentation and give feedback to their classmates.

Year 2022

Location New Zealand

Organization University of Auckland

Project aims

Project outcome

By the end of this course, students will be able to: Critically evaluate what values-based sustainability means and how society promotes and hinders this. (Capability 2 and 6) Develop and demonstrate understanding of the psychology of values, emotions, learning through imitation, identity, belonging, moral development, dialogue and consensus methods. (Capability 1) Develop and demonstrate a good understanding of at least one sustainability issue that interests you. (Capability 6) Demonstrate critical reflection and writing. (Capability 2, 4 and 5) Be able to search for, analyse and integrate information on a sustainability issue. (Capability 2 and 6) Apply psychological knowledge to sustainability issues. (Capability 1 and 6) Design a sustainability intervention or social change strategy based on psychological principles in a real world setting. (Capability 1, 3 and 6) Present well constructed and compelling short talks. (Capability 4) Be able to listen actively and give constructive feedback to others. (Capability 2 and 4) Facilitate deep-level dialogue between people. (Capability 4)