Sociology: Managing Sustainability, Society and Collective Behaviour

Gain a sociological perspective on sustainability and why it matters. You will look at the ecological, social and economic dimensions that must work together for sustainable development. You will also trace how awareness of environmental issues has grown over time and learn tools to analyse why there is often a gap between what is promised and what is actually done.

Sociology helps you understand how norms, power and inequality shape collective behaviour and institutions. In this course, you apply sociological theories and methods to sustainability questions, connecting ideas to real world actions and social change.

At Lund’s Department of Sociology, you will meet dedicated teachers who are also active researchers, giving you insights into the latest findings. The course is taught in English and can be taken as a freestanding course or as part of the Bachelor of Science Programme in Development Studies (SGUTV). 

Please note! This is a so-called theme course, which means it does not qualify you for higher-level sociology courses. It can be studied without previous university merits. If you’re unsure what this means for your studies, please contact our Study Advisers at studievagledare [at] soc [dot] lu [dot] se.

The Department of Sociology

The course is offered by the Department of Sociology in the picturesque Paradiset campus area in Lund. The building combines modern lecture halls, group rooms, and study spaces – just a short walk from the Social Sciences Library (Sambib) and the University Library (UB), several popular cafés and the city centre.

The course is taught in English and includes lectures, seminars and group work. Each module ends with an individual written exam. Throughout the course, you work with real cases to identify challenges, explore solutions and discuss future opportunities. The course has two modules:

Module 1: The Concept of Sustainability (7.5 credits)

You explore what sustainability means and how the relationship between nature and society can be understood from a sociological perspective. The module covers theories of risk, uncertainty and modernity, as well as environmental ethics. You study cultural backgrounds and different interpretations of sustainability that shape public debate, as well as how norms, power, inequality and competing truth claims influence these discussions. By seeing humans as social beings who create and challenge norms, you gain tools to understand the tensions and conflicts surrounding sustainability issues.

Module 2: Sustainability Work (7.5 credits)

The second module takes theory into practice. You study how social movements respond to environmental challenges and ideas about a good life. You analyse why some strategies lead to policy changes and market practices while others are dismissed as unrealistic. Applying concepts from Module 1 to real cases, you look at how citizens can influence politics and markets and how lifestyle changes may challenge social norms.

After completing the course, you will have a broad introduction to sustainability from a sociological perspective. You will understand how environmental, social and economic factors interact, and why there is often a gap between sustainability goals and real outcomes.

The course strengthens your ability to analyse sustainability challenges, trace how ideas about the environment have developed over time, and recognise how norms, power and inequality shape public debates and collective action. You will also gain insight into how citizens, organisations, politics and markets shape sustainability work in practice. This knowledge provides a valuable foundation if you are interested in issues such as social change, environmental governance, or sustainable development.

Although the course does not qualify you for higher‑level studies in sociology, it can complement studies in sociology, development studies, other social sciences or environment‑related fields. It is also suitable for anyone who wants to understand sustainability challenges from a societal perspective and build analytical skills useful in future studies, civic engagement or professional contexts.

Prerequisites

General requirements and studies equivalent to Swedish Upper Secondary School course Social Studies 1b or 1a1+1a2/Social Studies level 1b or level 1a2

Selection criteria

Seats are allocated according to the following: The general average (GPA) of your higher secondary school leaving certificate: 34 %, The Swedish national university aptitude test: 34 %, number of previous ECTS at application deadline (up to 165): 32 %. If students have equal credentials, seats are allocated based on their results on The Swedish National University Aptitude Test. If this too is equal, seats are allocated based on a draw.

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens

Citizens of countries outside:

• The European Union (EU)
• The European Economic Area (EEA) and
• Switzerland

are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 31,250
First payment: SEK 31,250

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Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.

Application fee

No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.