The Earth is heating up as a direct result of human activity. Global climate movements are on the rise, but have not yet sparked the emergency response that is required. Derailed by a global pandemic, we are running out of our carbon budget. We need to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions to save our climate from catastrophic warming. In this course, we apply our marketing skills to help this effort. 

What role does marketing play, can we be a part of the solution? What stories do we need to tell in times of crisis? Will our current system survive, or is it about to change? In these lectures, we take the historical, economical, psychological, and other perspectives on the current crisis, and discuss how we could contribute by applying our marketing skills and ideas.

Important part of the class are group projects developing your student ideas in the form of public education media (data science, webdesign, writing), activity initiatives (petitions, campaigns), marketing surveys (esp. to map out the situation at WU), media and outreach communication, and other spin-of ideas (radical new ideas welcome!). This is a great opportunity to show your project management, strategic, design, organizing, communication and other creative skills, in the context of what is arguably the big issue of our time.

The course aims to provide a perspective on the complex phenomenon of the global climate crisis. As a student you should will improve your ability to discuss this complex topic with confidence rooted in science, research and critical thinking. We'll explore implications for the broad field of marketing, but you are particularly encouraged to learn and employ new skills and knowledge in the "real world", by developing projects in cooperation with fellow students.

This course will run in ONLINE MODE (distance learning).

All activities are organized around a Slack channel, classes are conducted via MS Teams.

We will have regular meetings on the dates outlined above where attendance is required - you're allowed to miss one class with a valid excuse.

Lectures, group projects, individual work, possibly guest lectures.

Grading has the following components: 

20% individual engagement: Few simple writing tasks assigned in class throughout the course, typically in the form of a creative writing exercise.  

40% group project: In groups of 3-5, develop a marketing-focused project on a sustainable topic. See @co2mustgo or the website. Surveys, communication, education (esp. data visualization, webdesign), social media, campus organizing... creative ideas welcome.

20% peer evaluation: Based on the quality of your work, communication with other group members, timeliness...

20% social task: Conducting an interview & reporting the results.

Grades:

1: =>90%

2: =>80%

3: =>70%

4: =>60%

Please send me a short email outlining your motivation to participate in this course.

Strong interest in climate related topics is expected.

To get the most out of the course: participate actively in the online discussion and take initiative independently.

consultations via Slack or email: jan.valendin@wu.ac.at