We live in a complex world where many different overlapping perspectives of what it means to live a sustainable life.  Addressing sustainability issues means in brief, questioning the complex interconnections of environmental, social, and economic aspects and envisioning future solutions. Depending on where we are on the planet, sustainability issues can take very different shapes, which is why it is interesting to explore various places in relation to sustainability. How are global preoccupations reflected in local realities? How can connections with places empower individuals to address sustainability issues?   

Education plays a crucial role in discussing how we all can contribute to a sustainable future. In this micro-module, you will learn more about what sustainability education entails, and how to connect it with local landscapes and places. What are the competences that pupils need to develop for dealing with the complexity of sustainability issues  in our society of today? How can outdoor education contribute to fostering such competences?  

During the seminars, we will discuss pedagogical approaches that focus on how learning can depart from/be integrated with places in our surroundings, examine theories that delve into our relation to places, urban as well as natural, and connect these approaches to sustainability education. The students of the micro-module are invited to explore their own surroundings  and discuss their potential for contributing to education for sustainability. 

The micro-module addresses environmental and sustainability education generally, with a special focus on literature that highlights human relationships to their surroundings. Theories about human-place relationships and place-based education will be covered, as well as how these can be applied in one's own teaching practice or other relevant contexts.