This elective course explores six cross-cutting individual-level competencies, both theoretically and practically, to empower students to co-create and engage in sustainability solution processes within organizational contexts. The competencies that will be covered include:

(1) Systems Thinking Competency to understand and analyse complex sustainability challenges, including their interconnectedness with global social and economic systems. 
(2) Values Thinking Competency to identify and reflect on values and norms related to sustainability challenges and solution ideas, as well as one’s own values and the perspectives and experiences shaped by them.
(3) Futures Thinking Competency to imagine possible scenarios of systems and develop desirable future visions
(4) Strategic Thinking Competency to collectively design strategies for change
(5) Intra-personal Competency to increase motivation and resilience for long-term engagement
(6) Inter-personal Competency to effectively collaborate and integrate different perspectives within a change project, fostering constructive and respectful engagement in diverse groups.

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Understand, discuss and apply a collaborative approach to address sustainability challenges
• Discuss, design and develop concrete strategies for addressing sustainability challenges within organizational contexts
• Critically analyze sustainability solution ideas
• Reflect on their personal sustainability competency profile and develop it further
• Constructively deal with diverse perspectives, cultures, and personal preferences, and acquire knowledge about the interconnectedness of global social and economic systems (Global Mindset)

Attendance of sessions is a firm requirement for this course as much of the learning outcomes stem from the discussions during class and through interactions with peers. The attendance requirement is met if students are present for at least 80% of the scheduled sessions. Students who fail to meet the attendance requirement are de-registered from the course. Missing sessions will affect class participation credits and may also affect other graded components.

Students will be introduced to key concepts, theories and tools related to six cross-cutting competencies. The course combines input with discussions, personal reflections and a group project. In the group project, student teams will address a real-world sustainability challenge faced by an organization. This hands-on activity enables students to apply and further develop the explored competencies throughout the course. The group project will be presented during the final session. This course adopts a highly interactive approach.

1. Class participation (20%)
2. Group presentation (40%) 
3. Individual reflection paper (40%)

Grading scale

• From 90%: Very good (1)
• 80-89%: Good (2)
• 70-79%: Satisfactory (3)
• 60-69%: Sufficient (4)
• 0-59%: Failed (5)

AI-based software and tools of all kinds (e.g., ChatGPT, Bard, Grammarly, Copilot, etc.) may be used but only with proper documentation and transparency. This course does not focus on how to use AI in research. In case of undue AI usage, an audit interview with the student will be scheduled. Follow-up consequences will be determined afterwards. Official WU guidelines apply.

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