Sustainability Studies (minor subject)

Here is an introduction to the science of sustainability: What are the concepts, understandings and terms of sustainability? Which basic methods of sustainability research are important for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary cooperation?

Module descriptions

Students can choose a specialization from a total of 29 specializations. 

Each specialization deals with questions of sustainability from a specific "specialist perspective" - i.e. a particular discipline (e.g. from a technical perspective or a political perspective etc.) or a specific area of application (e.g. IT). You will find information on the individual focus areas linked below. We recommend that you click on some of the focal points to get a better idea of them.

1. Human scientific prerequisites for sustainable development
2. Human-nature relations (philosophy)
3. Sustainability communication and social participation
4. Sustainability communication in crisis discourses
5. Sustainability communication on cultural norms and values
6. Genesis and structures: sustainability concepts and nature relations
7. Processes and consequences: Diversity, globalization and solidarity
8. Actors and practices of socio-ecological transformations
9. Sustainable, energy-efficient buildings
10. The green, climate-friendly city
11. Socially just urban development
12. Biological principles of sustainability - molecular biology
13. Biological principles of sustainability - ecology & Botany
14. Mathematical foundations for SDG considerations
15. Sustainability in chemical-physical applications
16. Ecological agricultural systems
17. Organic agriculture and society
18. Mobility and transportation
19. Water management
20. Sustainable material cycles and product life cycles
21. Environmental economics
22. Sustainability management
23. Environmental sustainability law
24. Social sustainability law
25. Sustainability studies on electrical energy technology
26. Computer science: people and society
27. Artificial intelligence and data science
28. Computer Science: Safety and Reliability
29. Critical Sustainability in Art and Design

We work together on a practical task, which is completed in mixed (interdisciplinary) student teams and together with external practice partners.

 Module description

The interdisciplinary minor in Sustainability Studies provides students with a sound understanding of the theories, epistemological foundations and methodological approaches in the field of sustainability studies. They develop the ability to critically analyze and classify discourses and processes of sustainable transformation from different scientific disciplines and perspectives and are able to apply these to relevant societal challenges. In doing so, they develop skills in the areas of systemic thinking and anticipation. By examining how knowledge is linked to action, students acquire normative and strategic competence.

Individual focus enables students to deal with discipline-specific sustainability issues within a subject-related context.

The practice- and transfer-oriented project enables students to test what they have learned theoretically in an inter- and transdisciplinary context. Here, project-relevant skills such as integrated problem-solving skills, inter- and intrapersonal skills and implementation skills can be developed.