Sociology: Managing Sustainability, Society and Collective Behaviour
Course · 15 credits
Description
Managing Sustainability, Society and Collective Behaviour
NEW COURSE!
Course name: SOCB34, Sociology: Managing Sustainability, Society and Collective Behaviour (Swedish name: Sociologi: Miljösociologi, hållbar utveckling och miljöpolitik). First Cycle Theme-course. 15 credits. Autumn semester. Language of instruction: English. Offered as a stand-alone course and an elective course within the Bachelor of Science Programme in Development Studies (SGUTV).
This course offers a sociological perspective on the ecological, social, and economic dimensions necessary for sustainable development. It also examines how society's awareness of environmental and sustainability issues has evolved and will provide you with tools to critically analyse why there is still a significant gap between sustainability rhetoric and practice in many areas. You will examine strategies that take place in the name of sustainable development in civil society, the political arena and the market, and how these spheres interact in the transition process. The teaching consists of lectures, exercises, group assignments and seminars.
Module 1: The Concept of Sustainability
We will explore the concept of sustainability and the relationship between nature and society, using sociological theories of risk, knowledge uncertainty, and modernity, along with perspectives from environmental ethics. The aim is for you to gain a basic sociological understanding of the cultural background, different beliefs, and often rigid and conflicting framing that surrounds issues of sustainability and the relationship between nature and society. Understanding humans as social, norm-creating, and norm-challenging beings is essential to grasp the root of, and potential solutions to, sustainability conflicts related to power, inequality, and differing truth claims.
Module 2: Sustainability Work
In this second part, you will deepen your studies from part one, and connect them to practical actions at different levels of society. You will examine how social movements have evolved throughout modern history in response to global and local environmental pressures, animal treatment, and the link between sustainability and a good life. We will analyse why some aspects of social movements' work become part of policy, legislation, and market practices, while others are dismissed as unrealistic or utopian. You will explore the opportunities and challenges for citizens to influence politics and the market, and to change their own lifestyles – sometimes in areas considered unrealistic or extreme by societal norms. Concepts, theories, and ideas from Module 1 will be applied to real-world cases, focusing on identifying problems, finding solutions, and envisioning future possibilities.
How to apply for this course
Application is open from mid-March to mid-April each year (Swedish national application dates). Apply via the Lund University Swedish website: lu.se/lubas/i-uoh-lu-socb34. If you are on this page already, please look for the brown "anmälan" button.
Contact the department Study Advisers if you need assistance: studievagledare [at] soc [dot] lu [dot] se
Course literature, syllabus and more
Find out more about the Department of Sociology, where you will study this course:
Course documents
Closed for applications
Application opportunitiesContact
Study Adviser at the Department of Sociology
Lena Mårtensson
Email: studievagledare [at] soc [dot] lu [dot] se
This course is given by the Department of Sociology. Visit our website here.
Requirements and selection
Entry requirements
Selection criteria
English language requirements
Most of Lund University’s programmes require English Level 6 (unless otherwise stated under 'Entry requirements'). This is the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 90. There are several ways to prove your English language proficiency – check which proof is accepted at the University Admissions in Sweden website. All students must prove they meet English language requirements by the document deadline, in order to be considered for admission.
How to prove your English proficiency – universityadmissions.se
Country-specific requirements
Check if there are any country-specific eligibility rules for you to study Bachelor's or Master's studies in Sweden:
Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se
Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se
Apply
Start Autumn Semester 2025
Day-time Lund, full time 100%
In English
Study period
3 November 2025 - 18 January 2026
Application
You can only apply for this course in the 'Swedish student' application round. Find out more: Applying for studies – when to apply
How to apply
Lund University uses a national application system run by University Admissions in Sweden. It is only possible to apply during the application periods.
Step 1: Apply online
- Check that you meet the entry requirements of the programme or course you are interested in (refer to the section above on this webpage).
- Start your application – go to the University Admissions in Sweden website where you create an account and select programmes/courses during the application period.
Visit the University Admissions in Sweden website - Rank your programme/course choices in order of preference and submit them before the application deadline.
Step 2: Submit documents
- Read about how to document your eligibility and how to submit your documents at the University Admissions in Sweden website. Follow any country-specific document rules for Master's studies or Bachelor's studies
Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se
Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se
- Get all your documents ready:
- official transcripts and high school diploma (Bachelor's applicants)
- official transcripts and degree certificate or proof that you are in the final year of your Bachelor's (Master's applicants)
- passport/ID (all applicants) and
- proof of English proficiency (all applicants).
- Prepare programme-specific documents if stated in the next paragraph on this webpage.
- Upload or send all required documents to University Admissions before the document deadline.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable – refer to the section below on this webpage) before the document deadline.
* Note that the process is different if you are applying as an exchange student or as a part of a cooperation programme (such as Erasmus+).
* If you have studied your entire Bachelor's programme in Sweden and all of your academic credits are in Ladok, you do not have to submit transcripts or your diploma when applying for a Master's programme. However, there may still be other documents you need to submit! See the link below.
* Svensk student?
Läs instruktionerna om att söka till ett internationellt masterprogram på lu.se
Tuition fees
Non-EU/EEA citizens
Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 28 750
First payment: SEK 28 750
Citizens of a country outside of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are required to pay tuition fees. You pay one instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each semester.
Tuition fees, payments and exemptions
EU/EEA citizens and Switzerland
There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
Application fee
If you are required to pay tuition fees, you are generally also required to pay an application fee of SEK 900 when you apply at the University Admissions in Sweden website. You pay one application fee regardless of how many programmes or courses you apply to.
- Paying your application fee – universityadmissions.se
- Exemptions from paying the application fee – universityadmissions.se
- Convert currency – xe.com
*Note that there are no tuition or application fees for exchange students or doctoral/PhD students, regardless of their nationality.
Scholarships & funding
Lund University Global Scholarship programme
The Lund University Global Scholarship programme is a merit-based and selective scholarship targeted at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA.
Lund University Global Scholarship
Within the framework of the Lund University Global Scholarship programme, the University also offers the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Scholarship targeted at top academic students from selected African research universities.
Swedish Institute Scholarships
The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students applying for studies in Sweden at Master's level.
Scholarship information on the Swedish Institute website
Country-specific scholarships and funding options
Lund University has agreements with scholarship organisations and funding bodies in different countries, which may allow applicants to apply for funding or scholarships in their home countries for their studies at Lund University.