ENP-38303 Sustainable Technology Development: Design Assignment

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Studiepunten 3.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

ENP-31303 Sustainable Technology Development.

Contents:

This course is a continuation of ENP-37803, and is especially geared to students of the Master programs MES, MUE, MCL and other master students at WU. It aims to apply, and reflect on, the theories on the relations between technology and society and the methodologies of sustainable technology development in a group assignment. The assignment leads to a design of a niche project in sustainable technology development next to a comparative analysis and evaluation of a contemporary sustainable technology project.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge of current socio-technical experiments in technological systems such as urban infrastructures, food, housing and building;
- design socio-technological niches for sustainable technology development;
- evaluate present day socio-technological experiments in terms of their contribution to technological transitions;
- discuss, report, present and defend a case of sustainable technology development within a chosen field;
and have strengthened their skills in:
- literature search;
- reading and summarizing social scientific literature on technology development and innovation;
- academic writing.

Activities:

- group-based research assignment;
- meetings with supervisor;
- a group excursion to projects in the Netherlands;
- paper writing, presentation.

Examination:

- assessment of group paper 90%;
- presentation 10%.

Literature:

Matthewman, S. (2011). Technology and Social Theory. London: Palgrave Macmillan. 224 p. ISBN-10: 0230577571.
Additional articles and book chapters made available on MyPortal.