This course discusses key literature in the broadly defined field of transformation studies, with a focus on politico-economic, social-ecological, and spatial transformations. It will distinguish normative and analytical concepts of transformation, relating it to the concept of transformation 

Topics related to politico-economic transformations will deal with the dialectics of structure and agency, starting with conjunctural analysis; covering economic liberalism, regulation theory, and dimensions of the  contemporary polycrisis (crisis of hyperglobalization, geoeconomics/geopolitics, war, crisis of liberal democracy, ...)

Topics related to social-ecological transformations will cover political ecology (including postgrowth), social ecology, Polanyian transformation research, sustainable transition research (including MLP and social innovation).

Topics related to spatial transformations will include modernisation theories, dependency theory, imperialism, historical-geographical materialism, and global history

After finishing the course the students

• will have a better understanding of the broad field of transformation studies; including diverse displiplinary and interdisciplinary theories, the relationship of normative and analytical theories, as well as the tension of incremental and radical/transformative change
• will be able to link transformation studies to their respective PhD project

regular attendence; up to two sessions can be missed

The course starts with a general lecture by Novy on "Overview of Transformation Studies", followed by a general discussion. At the end of the first session a joint decision on detailled course literature will be taken.

In the remaining sessions, there will be short student presentations on the course literature, followed by general discussions.

• short presentation of course literature: 20 points
• One-Pager outline of Term Paper: 20 points
• Term Paper: 60 points

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