This course aims at supporting students to (1) develop their academic writing skills (focus on: research proposal), (2) engage with different economic schools of thought (orthodox and heterodox economics), and (3) deepen their knowledge as well as critically reflect on two contemporary policy challenges: social-ecological housing and environmental mobilities. As such, it seeks to encourage and guide students to critically reflect and skillfully write on pressing policy challenges in the 21st century.

The learning outcomes will be threefold. (1) With regard to (soft) skills, students will learn how to develop and write a research proposal. In terms of content, students will (2) reflect upon different economics schools of thought and (3) receive insights on two pressing contemporary global policy challenges: social-ecological housing and environmental mobilities. They will subsequently deepen their insights and knowledge about one of these topics through their final research proposals.

To pass the course, you are allowed no more than two unexcused absences. This allowance is for serious and unforeseen events only. If you will miss a class, please inform the lecturer in advance.

Please turn-off and do not use mobile communication devices in class.

• Input from lecturer on academic writing (focus on: research proposal)
• Allocated readings on pressing (social-ecological) challenges will be discussed in class and the discussion initiated around questions set before.
• Discussions on the readings / contemporary policy challenges
• Plenary discussions, student debates, and group activities
• Input from lecturer on pluralism and different economic schools of thought
• Students will develop a research proposal on one of the contemporary social-ecological challenges discussed

Assignments are to be uploaded to Canvas before the deadline. Make sure all names are on group assignment. Any submission after the deadline will have a 10% penalty for each late day. The overall grade for this course consists of the following parts:

• Academic writing 15 points

• Debate on heterodox economics 15 points

• Homework on social-ecological housing 15 points

• Homework on environmental mobilities 15 points 

• Research proposal (2000 words, excl. references)  40 points

•   Total 100 points

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Artificial Intelligence: 

This course does 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.

Disability Services:

If you have a disability that affects your participation in this course the WU the BeAble program offers services to assist you. Please contact them first before informing the instructors if any accommodations should be made.

Anti-Discrimination Policy:

The WU Code of Conduct stipulates that all students and staff respect the diverse backgrounds of its staff and student body. As instructors we come to the classroom with an attitude of respect and expect the same from all students. In case you want to file a discrimination complaint or seek support please contact the Equal Opportunities Committee (AKG) Campus WU, Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Vienna, D1 building, level 2 Tel.: +43 (0)1/31336/5799 or 5116. Email: ak-gleich@wu.ac.at