The course bridges theory and practice in the context of socio-ecological transformation. Students are encouraged to use their creativity, experience and knowledge in order to develop their own particular transformation project in the Austrian context. The project shall have an interdisciplinary fundament in theoretical perspective and shall work within a science-society interface in practical terms. The transmission and persistence of a progressive approach to socio-ecological transformation shall get achieved and enhanced via dynamic stakeholder dialogues, opening as well as enabling of public discourses on transforming socio-ecological relations as well as education for sustainable development.

The course will deconstruct a holistic understanding of socio-ecological transformation in its economic, ecological, social, cultural, and political sphere in practice. It offers students the opportunity to understand different perspectives of sustainability via an experience-based learning approach, using the service learning method.

Students understand the context-dependent dynamics between theory and practice within the framework of a socio-ecological transformation. They are able to explain central cornerstones of inter-and transdiscipliarity, science-society interfaces, micro-meso institutional dynamics, education for sustainable development and are able to develop a service learning project dealing with a particular sustainability challenge in the greater realm of a socio-ecological transformation.

Further learning outcomes:

• Critical understanding and holistic perspective on the concept of socio-ecological transformation
• Students not only learn from the experience of the service alone, but by reflection on and creating meaning from the experience
• Student involvement in the community is encouraged, networking is fostered
• Individual personality development
• Communication and group skills
• Complexity awareness, problem analysis, critical thinking and cognitive development
• Real life experience contributes to professional/career development

Attendance of the classes is obligatory.
It is allowed to miss one group coaching over the entire year.

The method of service learning or learning by engagement is a distinctive form of experiential learning. It represents one of the most promising methods promoting ESD as it is an alternative teaching approach where students are confronted with real-world problems and try to find solutions cooperating with partners such as communities, NGOs and companies. Service learning integrates a service activity into academic curricula and is based on the concept of “learning by doing”. Students learn and develop through engaging in specific projects by meeting the needs of communities and making personal experiences, embedded in an academic learning environment where they can reflect upon their actions.

Service learning fosters autonomous operation of students to address a problem or need in society. Students shall design solution concepts for urban challenges in the local area.
Coaching includes four phases - "Preparation, Action, Reflection and Evaluation" and will be supported via the lecturers.

The format of the course trains amongst others problem-solving skills, conflict resolution skills, networked thinking, teamwork, and organization skills.

Class attendance and participation (20%)
Group preparation and ability to respond to questions and engage in discussions (20%)
Written project concept as a group and presentation (30%)
From the beginning on keep an individual updated service-learning research diary (30%) 

SEEP courses do not allow creation of assignments, exam answers or other assessed work using generative AI (e.g. ChatGPT).  All such work is expected to be the original work by the student concerned and is assessed as such. Work copied from a generative AI source is equivalent to plagiarism and will be treated as such.

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