Raw materials are the physical basesof economic activities. Both non-renewable and renewable raw materials arelimited on a global scale. Limits to the availability of raw materials are notjust bio- and geophysical boundaries but also social constraints as well as thelegal framework and the geopolitical context. Moreover, the availability ofenergy restricts the extraction, processing and purification of raw materials.

Extracting and using raw materialshas energetic as well as social and ecological impacts on regional, national,international and global levels. Whereas, the human-induced climate change, itsimpacts and feedback effects set further limits to the availability of rawmaterials. “Drill, baby drill” or “Dig-deeper” or even the exploration of rawmaterials from unconventional sources are questioned to be appropriate to dealwith the issues mentioned above.

Reuse, repair, remanufacturing andrecycling together with increasing the resources efficiency seems to open upentirely new opportunities to supplying raw materials to the economy. However, forexample the complexity of technical compounds limits the availability toextract raw materials from secondary sources. Moreover, efficiency gains can beoffset by the rebound effect and planned obsolescence or consumer behaviour canrestrict the active usage time of an item.

This course deals with these issuesrelated to the availability and the usage of raw materials. Theoretical inputtogether with reading assignments forms the bases for discussing controversiallythe availability and the usage of raw materials in different social, ecological,political and economic contexts. The students are invited to question economicparadigms (such as for example growth or efficiency) from various and differentperspectives.

Among other topics, core issues ofthe course will deal with (a) boundaries and limitation to the availability ofraw materials; (b) environmental conflicts and raw materials; (c) stories ofstuff; (d) the re-phases and (e) raw materials policies.

In teams of four to five, students conducta case study, on scientific bases, dealing with an environmental, social orpolitical conflicts related to the availability or usage of raw materials. Thecase studies are based on a comprehensive literature review. In class, the students will be provided some time fordesigning the research proposal of the case study. The case will be presented towards the end ofthe course. The presentation comprises (1) the description of the case and itsemerging issue(s) (2) the research question and research target, (3) appliedmethod, (4) objects, indices, measures etc. (5) the findings and conclusions and(6) alternatives to deal with these issues on various scales and from differentperspectives. Moreover, an interactive discussion with the instructor and therest of the class are part of the presentation. A term paper comprises thetopic and the content of the presentation as well as additional findings andremarks.

Aftercompleting a ZuWi II course students are aware of the wider context of businessactivities, which encompasses economic, environmental, ethical, political,sociological and technological factors, and understand the effects business hason these dimensions and vice versa. Throughout the course, students learn totake into account the impact of their later actions as business professionalson society and the natural environment as well as their responsibility andcontribution with regards to a long-term sustainable development. Hence,students develop the ability to consider ethical, social and environmentalissues implied in their business decisions.

Throughoutthe course students are especially encouraged to:

· familiarizewith the bases of the availability of raw materials;

· familiarizewith selected issues related to the boundaries and limitations on theiravailability;

· recognizeraw materials as the physical bases of the economy;

· exploreeconomic activities as dependent on the availability of raw materials andinterlinked to society and ecosystems;

· understandand address ethical, political and legal issues related to the availability andusage of raw materials;

· developand deepen their understanding on the ecological, social, political and legalimpacts of the availability and usage of raw materials from a variety ofdisciplinary perspectives;

· criticallyreflect on their role as consumers and future business professionals;

· discussissues based on facts and to voice their opinions based on facts;

· provideconstructive feedback to the work of fellow students;

· havefun on a journey to a new topic.

The courseprovides both theoretical bases and a space for critically reflecting and discusingsissues and problems related to the availability and usage of raw materials.Students continuously share their reflections on these issues in classdiscussions and exchange constructive feedback with each other. Teams ofstudents present a term paper towards the end of the semester. They show theacquired theoretical knowledge on the availability and usage of raw materialsand related issues on sustainability. Among others, teaching and learningmethods comprise

· Presentations and talks

· Classdiscussions

· Discussionson the assigned reading materials

· Team work

· Role play

Theevaluation of students in courses with immanent examinations does not result onthe basis of a single examination at the end of the course but is based on theregular written and oral contributions of the students, along with thecontinual observation and verification of the fulfilment of any prescribedattendance requirements.

ClassParticipation (10%): Positive class participation comprises regular attendanceand punctual arrival in class. Moreover, the students are asked to participatein class discussions and discussion of the reading assignments as well as toprovide constructive feedback on the work of fellow students. In case ofmissing more than one class, students will be asked to compensate their absenceby providing a paper of minimum 1,500 words. Subject of the topic will bedecided together with the instructor. In case of missing more than two units,students will be unsubscribed from the course. Class participation will accountfor 10% of the final grade.

ReadingAssignments (20%): For five sessions, assigned reading material got to be preparedin advance and handed in via email, at noon of the day before class. The writtenreading assignments will account for 20% of the final grade.

Presentationand leading the discussion of Reading Assignments (15%): In teams of 3,students prepare one to two papers of the reader for presenting the mainstatements and findings in class. Part of the evaluation is leading thediscussion in class. This interactive part will account for 12% of the finalgrade

TeamPresentation (20%): The final term presentation (in teams of four to five) comprisesthe presentation of findings and conclusions on an investigated researchproblem, reflections on encountered difficulties in the course of the process aswell as an interactive element with the rest of the class. All presentationshave to be made available three days before the presentation date. Even whenpresenting as a team, students will be evaluated on basis of their individualperformance. The final team presentation will account for 20% of the finalgrade.

Term paper(35%): The term paper comprises the content of the team presentation. Studentswill be graded for their individual contribution to the investigated researchproblem. Therefore, each student got to provide at least one chapter of thepaper, each chapter of minimum 2,000 words and comprising a separate list ofreferences. The term paper will account for 35% of thefinal grade.

· Readingskills for preparing assigned texts and for commenting on them in classdiscussions;

· Skillsfor discussing in English on economic, ecological, social and political issuesand issues from natural sciences;

· Awareness of minimum standards of and skills for academic research and writting at a university. 

Withinthis course students are constantly encouraged to participate in classdiscussions and to answer questions as well as to participate in interactive

sessions. These activities are integrated elements of the course design andform some of the bases of grading the students.