Summer School for Sustainability

Faculty of Science

About the course

Biodiversity in Western Sweden will give a general introduction to biodiversity, its patterns and processes, and the reasons for its decline in recent history.

This will include:

• how biodiversity is defined at different levels (molecular, species, ecosystem)
• an introduction to common West Coast species
• how biodiversity is coupled to our everyday lives (ecosystem services/ natures contributions to people)
• an introduction to living and  preserved collections and their value in research and society
   

It will further explore the threats to biodiversity, and how we understand these threats through eg. red listing and IUCN assessments.

The course will be given in connection with Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre partners, and focus on both theoretical and practical work around both in situ and ex situ conservation efforts with examples from their organisations. And: there will be field trips!

The course is linked to Global Goal number:

• 14 (Life below water)
• 15 (Life on land)

Faculty of IT 

Schedule, Course Syllabus and Literature List 

About the course

The purpose of this course is to prepare students as self-aware, responsible agents of change in the world, such that you are able to apply critical thinking and a long-term systemic perspective to the plethora of development opportunities provided by digitization.

We discuss sustainability and sustainable development concepts in class and relate them to climate change, world economics, systems thinking, and technological development. This builds the foundation for critically assessing the potential and risks of digitization in a changing world - i.e. when new ideas come around, you will be able to judge them well. To make this very applicable in your future, we also conceptualize and develop prototypical IT systems that support sustainable development.

The emphasis is more on personal wellbeing and how that ties in with sustainability and current societal lifestyle than on the design and implementation of IT services.

The course is carried out via:

• Development of and reflection on a personal sustainability practice and what it means to live in a sustainable community. That means we try practices like yoga, meditation, walks in nature and reflect on the effects - yup, we have a well-qualified professor for that in IT, see below; 
• Flipped classroom for introducing concepts. You will be watching a short documentary or reading a research article as preparation and then we discuss them in class and reflect on how to use these concepts in our work.
• A team project will be carried out in small teams over the extent of the course to apply all the new concepts (so you are comfortable at integrating your new sustainability knowledge into technology development), including requirements engineering and design. You can optionally work on prototyping an IT service or product to explore sustainable development.

Teacher

The course responsible and main teacher is Associate Professor Birgit Penzenstadler, who has been researching the connection between technology and sustainability for a decade, and for the last three years integrated her yoga teacher practice into research to increase the wellbeing and resilience of developers and engineers.

There may be further guest teachers 6-8 hr facetime per week.

This course is linked to Global Goals:

• 3 (health & wellbeing)
• 9 (innovation)
• 11 (sustainable communities) 

Faculty of Social Sciences: School of Public Administration

Schedule, Course Syllabus and Literature List 

About the course

The challenges associated with migration and integration remain some of the most pressing facing European societies. The ongoing full-scale war in Ukraine has now resulted in the displacement of nearly fifteen million people. The legacy of the 2015 refugee “crisis” is still sharply visible in public discussions over how immigrant integration ought to be achieved, and continued concerns over the need for both skilled and unskilled labor from outside the European Union shape both policy and debates.

Against this backdrop, the course provides students with an introduction to key cases of both migration and integration in Europe and details how the associated challenges and possibilities are problematized by migration scholars.

In addition to seminars with migration scholars from the University of Gothenburg, course sessions will include presentations, discussions and workshops with a diverse group of international public servants, civil society staff, artists and researchers.

The course is broadly interdisciplinary, and students will have the opportunity to explore how arts-based methods can inform their understanding of social science scholarship focusing on migration and integration.

The course meets for 6-8 hours per week and concludes with a course conference in which students present one part of their final exam project.

Instructor

The course supervisor and main instructor is Gregg Bucken-Knapp, Professor in the School of Public Administration at the University of Gothenburg. 

This course is linked to Global Goal number:

• 8.8 (Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment)
• 10.7 (Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.)
• 11 (Sustainable cities and communities)
• 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

LIR103 Faculty of Humanities

Schedule, Course Syllabus and Literature List 

The pursuit of sustainability is both motivated and guided by concern for justice. On one side, the pursuit of global sustainability is motivated by the recognition that it is unjust to live in a way that deprives others of the chance to flourish. On the other side, the pursuit is guided by our answers to fundamental questions of justice. What opportunities for flourishing does justice demand that we leave for others? What burdens does justice permit us to impose on ourselves in order to preserve these opportunities?

This course will ask how conceptions of justice developed in different literary, philosophical and religious traditions might help to motivate and guide our pursuit of sustainability. The course will have two points of concentration.

As a first matter, it will examine contemporary conceptions of justice, and ask how far they are suited to cultivating sustainability. What do our dominant understandings of justice assume about humanity and the non-human world? Do these assumptions help or hinder the pursuit of sustainability?

As a second matter, the course will examine how contemporary conceptions of justice might be enriched through wider literary, philosophical and religious depictions. The course will probe the assumptions that inform the wide-ranging accounts of justice that appear in differing texts and traditions, with particular attention paid to assumptions that create space for ideas like generosity and self-sacrifice to appear as part of a picture of justice.

This course is linked to Global Goals:

All seventeen global goals associated with Agenda 2030 are in some way connected to a conception of justice. The topics covered in this course have a particular connection with goals 1-4 (the elimination of poverty and hunger; the provision of health and education for all); goals 5 and 10 (the promotion of gender equality and reduction of inequality); and goal 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions).

PDG459, Faculty of Education

Schedule, Course Syllabus and Literature List

The course addresses how aspects of sustainable development can be taught in formal and informal educational settings to encourage greater awareness of sustainability issues.

Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives on the complex concept of sustainable development will be discussed from an educational perspective, in which teaching and learning will be problematised and informed by educational research from different perspectives. The course aims to increase student's ability to reflect on and centrally position, both as individuals and in subject groups, issues of sustainable development across all forms of education.

The course is oriented around three thematic strands:

• Human activities and their impact on society and the environment
• Social participation and the politics of engagement
• Personal and curriculum values in relation to life on earth

The experiences and cultural backgrounds of the participants will be an integral part of all three strands.

This course is linked to Global Goals number:

• 4 (Quality education)
• 3 (Good health and well-being)
• 10 (Reduced inequalities)
• 12 (Responsible consumption and production)
• 13 (Climate action)

Can I arrive before June 27, the official arrival and pick-up day?
You are welcome to arrive before June 27, but you will need to arrange accommodation until the 27^th. We will not be able to pick you up before the official arrival day and you will not have access to your accommodation before that.

During what times will the pick-up be available? 
Arrival Day for the summer school is Thursday, June 27. Our pick-up service is free of charge from Gothenburg Central Station (train and bus terminal), Stena Line ferry terminal, and at Gothenburg Landvetter Airport from 10am to 8pm. Those arriving to the airport will need to bear in mind that the final coach will depart at 8pm CEST.

Which airport caters to Gothenburg?
Göteborg Landvetter Airport is the only airport in the Gothenburg area.

How do I sign up for the pick-up service?
GU’s Welcome Services send out a registration e-mail. Please make sure to check your spam in case it ended up there and contact them at studenthousing@gu.se in case you have problems.

When do we get access to housing on arrival day?
On June 27, starting from 10am, you will get access right after we have picked you up at your arrival point and you have picked up your keys at Studenternas Hus.

Do I have classes on Friday mornings?
Your schedule may vary depending on the course you are attending. Some of you will have classes on Fridays, some not. Please make sure to check your schedule on Canvas (choose your course on this page and you will find soon a link to Canvas).

How late and how early will classes start?
Your schedule may vary depending on the course you are attending, but classes will not start before 8.30am and will not finish after 5.30pm. Please make sure to check your schedule on Canvas (choose your course on this page and you will soon find a link to Canvas).

Is there an exam at the end of the course?
Yes, all courses will have examination and/or assessment. Some courses will also be graded based on attendance and participation in discussion groups and workshops. Please make sure to check with your course leader.

Where do I find my schedule?
All information on your course, including schedule, can be found on Canvas. Please click on your course on this page to find the link to Canvas.

How do I activate my student account?
The student account is your digital key to the university. You use your student account to log in to the Student Portal and access the learning platform Canvas, Ladok, Wifi, and much more. In order to use your student account, you must first activate it.
As an international student, you activate your student account by visiting Servicecenter. Our student ambassadors will help you with that. Remember to bring a valid ID such as a passport or driving licence. For more information please visit Studentportal.

Are any classes planned on Friday evenings?
No classes are planned on Friday evenings.

Are weekends free from activities and classes?
Yes, all weekends are free from classes and activities. You will have time to explore Gothenburg and its surroundings.

How do I access information on course literature?
All information on your course, including course literature, can be found on Canvas. Please click on your course on this page to find the link to Canvas. If you do not find the information, please contact your course leader.

Will courses be face to face or digital?
How your course will be taught may vary, but all courses will have a digital element. Some will offer a virtual week while others have blended virtual and physical components throughout the course. Please make sure to check with your course leader once in Gothenburg.

How do I get a letter of acceptance?
All exchange students from outside the EU have been sent a letter of acceptance. If you have not received yours or you need one, please e-mail summerschool@gu.se.

When does the summer school end?
The last day of the summer school is August 2. We will say goodbye during a Farewell Ceremony in the morning.

Can I switch course?
No, it is not possible to switch course.

Will I receive a diploma?
Yes, you will receive a diploma during our Farewell Ceremony.

What rights and responibilities do I have as GU student?
As a student at the University of Gothenburg, you have both rights and responsibilities. Your study environment must be free from discrimination and adapted to you and your situation. You also have access to support if you experience health issues related to your studies. There are rules that regulate topics such as fees, supervision, course evaluations and scheduling. For more information:
Study Environment and Rules
Rules for Studies and Examinations
Conduct rules and academmic writing 

Do I need a visa to enter Sweden?
Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality. You will find all relevant information on the Swedish Migration Agengy's website.

What can I do in Gothenburg on my downtime?
There are plenty of choices since Gothenburg and West Sweden are brimming with culture and entertainment in a natural environment with lakes, forests and a stunning archipelago at your doorstep.
You can visit the official tourism websites for Gothenburg and West Sweden as well as the sites This is Gothenburg and Det vilda Göteborg.

Will you show us the city or will we discover it on our own?
During the first week we will organise a campus tour and tell you a bit about the city. Moreover, some of the social activities will help you find your ways in Gothenburg. On Wednesdays we will organise excursions a little further away, and you will still have plenty of time to discover the city on your own.

How do I get a sim card?
You can buy a sim card at the closest corner shop. Feel free to ask our student ambassadors for guidance and directions.

Are there any specific apps I should download in sight of my stay in Gothenburg?
Move to Gothenburg and Gothenburg.com have handpicked a few apps that you might find useful.
Move to Gothenburg
Göteborg.com

What's the weather like in Gothenburg in July?
July is usually the hottest month in Gothenburg. However, the weather may vary during the day, from very hot to rainy and windy. Make sure to bring everything from your swim trunks to a wind and water proof jacket. 
Feel free to check the weather forecast on SMHI, the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute

Do we have to pay anything for field trips or excursions?
Field trips and excursions are free of charge, but you will have to purchase your own lunch and snacks. 

Are there any student discounts?
Yes, you are eligible for student discounts through Mecenat. You will receive an e-mail asking you to download the Mecenat app and to create an account. Please note that student discounts while travelling with local traffic requires you to have the correct symbol on your digital card in the Mecenat app, otherwise you risk a fine. Make sure to check in the app. During the first day of the summer school, you will get more information on Mecenat.

When should I pay my rent?
You are expected to pay your rent before your arrival. You will receive an e-mail with payment instructions from Welcome Service, including the due date.

Will everyone stay in the same student housing area?
Most students will be accommodated at our housing facilities in Olofshöjd, but there is an option to choose another housing area, Språkskrapan.

Do I need to bring quilt and pillow?
Quilt and pillow will be provided to all students and can be left in your room upon departure, unless you want to bring them home with you. Kindly remember that you can leave quilt, pillow and other items at Freeshop Olofshöjd.

Do I need to bring bed linen?
You can either bring bed linen from home or purchase at your arrival. There might be bed linen available at Studenternas Hus on June 27 or at Freeshop Olofshöjd.
Bedding and linen can be bought from several stores in the city centre, like Hemtex or Åhléns. These stores are located just minutes' walk from Pedagogen. If you’re up for a slightly longer trip, there is an IKEA warehouse located in the area of Kållered, or JYSK near Hjalmar Brantingsplatsen, reachable from Olofshöjd by tram and then bus. Check the exact route and buy tickets through the public transport app Västtrafik To Go, by searching for routes to the station: Kållered köpstad or Hjalmar Brantingsplatsen.
Measurements: Bed size: 90x200 cm Flat/fitted sheet: 150x260 cm Duvet cover: 150x200 cm Pillowcase 50x60 cm.

How large are the rooms?
The size of your room depends on your chosen housing option, please check the Summer School Housing options PDF guide on this page.

Am I allowed to have guests during my stay?
Yes, you are allowed to have guests for a short period during your stay.

What time to I have to check out?
We kindly ask you to check out no later than 12am on Monday, August 5.
You will be able to drop off your keys when leaving your room. More information is available in the moving out information document you will receive upon your arrival.

Is there a laundry?
Yes, the laundry is available for all guests, free of charge. You will need to purchase your own laundry detergent. 

Is the accommodation catered or self-catered?
The accommodation is self-catered.

What kind of plug do I need for Sweden, do I need an adapter?
Sweden uses 230V AC, 50 Hz. To connect the device, it also needs to fit the power socket. Sweden uses the "europlug", also known as Type C power-plug, although Type F works as well. You may need an adapter if your device uses another plug. If you need an adapter, we recommend purchasing one before you come to Sweden. You may also want to consider bringing a power strip. That way you can have several devices plugged in at the same time, without the need for individual adapters.

Do I share a bathroom?
Please check the Summer School Housing options PDF guide on this page.

Will the rooms be randomly allocated?
Yes. When you choose an housing option, you will be randomly allocated a room.

Is there wifi available in my room?
Internet is provided in all rooms. You will need an Ethernet cable to connect to the internet (cable is not provided). If you want to use WiFi, you need to bring a WiFi router or purchase one in Gothenburg.

Are there any bursaries to cover the accommodation costs?
University of Gothenburg does not offer any bursaries to summer school students.

Will the dorms be mixed gender?
Yes.

Do we live with exchange students or Swedish students or both?
Rooms are rented by both Swedish and international students, so you may meet both Swedes and non-Swedes, depending on their summer plans.

Do you know if the provided bedding is allergy friendly?
The pillow and duvet we provide have been purchased for the purpose.