This course examines the human element of socio-ecological economic systems. It explores how individual decision-making processes are shaped, enabled, and constrained by broader social, institutional, and material structures. The course is designed as a progression: we begin with individually centred theories of agency and rational choice, and gradually expand the analytical lens to include social interaction, institutions, infrastructures, and complex adaptive systems that augment and structure agency.

Drawing on neo-classical economics, psychology, behavioural economics, sociology, and complexity economics, students critically examine how humans behave and make decisions that shape sustainability transformations. Rather than treating “irrationality” as deviation from a norm, the course investigates how bounded rationality, heuristics, emotions, habits, norms, and structural contexts jointly produce behavioural outcomes.

After completing this course, students should be able to:

• Explain and compare key socio-ecological and behavioural theories of human decision-making, from individualist to structure-oriented approaches.
• Articulate and critically assess the ontological and epistemological foundations of different behavioural sciences.
• Analyse the interplay between agency and structure in sustainability challenges in energy, housing, food, and mobility.
• Critically evaluate empirical evidence generated through different behavioural research methods.
• Select and justify appropriate behavioural theories and methods for their own research questions.
• Apply behavioural insights to the design and assessment of sustainability-oriented public policies and interventions.

Any absence must be communicated to the course tutor in advance.

The university operates a basic pass/fail attendance requirement. Students may not miss more than two class sessions during the semester. This allowance is intended for serious and unforeseen circumstances. It should not be used for planned holidays, work commitments, job interviews, or other avoidable absences.

Regular attendance is particularly important due to the interactive and problem-based format of the course, which cannot be fully replicated through materials alone.

• Recorded lectures (thematic input)
• Assigned academic readings
• In-class small group work (problem-based learning)
• Structured debates and plenary discussions
• Interactive engagement (guided questions, peer exchange, feedback)
• Written individual paper
• Written exams
• Oral exam

The required coursework is listed below. The percentage of the final grade for each summative assessment is noted.

60% Exams – Four exams, 15% each

Assessment: Individual Essay and Oral Examination (40%)

Marking Scheme:

Grade 1 (Excellent): 89-100 Points
Grade 2 (Good): 76-88 Points
Grade 3 (Satisfactory): 64-75 Points
Grade 4 (Sufficient): 51-63 Points
Grade 5 (Fail): 0-50 Points

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