EDS225 Linking Ecological and Social Resilience

- The concept of resilience - Resilience and vulnerability in ecological and social systems - "Old" and "new" scientific ideas and approaches - The adaptive cycle as a conceptual framework - Linked ecological-social conceptual approaches - Systems approach and social-ecological linkages - Change and uncertainty in social-ecological systems - Nurturing diversity for resilience - Local/traditional resource management systems - Combining different types of knowledge for learning - Resilience of property rights institutions - Adaptive management - Self-organization towards social and ecological sustainability - Resilience as an analytical approach - A range of international case studies - Examples of MSc research projects utilising "resilience"

Linking Ecological and Social Resilience" will provide a basis for understanding both ecological systems and social systems, emphasising the interlinkages and interdependence between environmental and social processes of change. Emphasis is put on: - learning to live with change and uncertainty - nurturing diversity for resilience - combining different types of knowledge for learning - creating opportunity for self-organization towards social and ecological sustainability. The course will provide students with an innovative conceptual framework, and explain how to use it as an analytical approach when investigating questions of sustainability and development with interdisciplinary perspectives. A variety of case studies from developing countries in an increasingly globalised world will be used to illustrate the theories. Several students have successfully utilised "resilience" as a conceptual framework for their thesis in recent years. Course participants who would like advice on this will be assisted additionally.