course-details-portlet

LÆR2002

Education for sustainable development

Credits 7.5
Level Third-year courses, level III
Course start Autumn 2026
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction Norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Portfolio

About

About the course

Course content

Sustainable devolopment is an important topic in society and school. The present course will present students with a broad introduction to this topic and develop their competence in teaching sustainable development in a suitable way for pupils on different levels. Sustainable development has a beginning in the consideration of life on earth including humans and in how humans can conduct society in such a way that future generations also will be able to meet their needs. This topic is a wide one, where environmental, social and economic interests and insights meet and challenge each other. The course aims at giving the students the opportunities to develop reflected views on sustainable development and that they on the basis of this are able to conceive and carry out teaching in this topics in ways that engage pupils and develop their action competence.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The student

  • understands the interconnections between environmental, social and economic issues necessary for achieving sustainable development
  • has knowledge on the biological and environmental basis for sustainable development
  • has insight into how political and societal issues play into the possibilites for a sustainable development
  • has knowledge on some key challenges in the work towards a sustainable future, globally and locally
  • has a proper understanding of the interdisciplinary subject "education for sustainable development" in the primary education curricula

Skills

The student

  • can critically evaluate information in the field of sustainability and analyse different stakeholders positions and objectives
  • can facilitate education in sustainability such that the topics are handled thoughtfully and deliberatively

General competence

The student

  • can critically evaluate different information in the analysis of complicated issues within the field of sustainable development
  • can use knowledge and skills within the topic in developing engaging education for pupils

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and group discussions.

Compulsory assignments

  • 75% participation in teaching
  • Assignments/texts for the work portfolio

Further on evaluation

Mandatory activity:

  • 75% mandatory attendance - Details will be provided in the semester plan at the start of the term
  • Assignments/texts for the work portfolio

Mandatory activities must be approved before you can take the exam.

The exam in this course is portfolio assessment. Portfolio assessment is an evaluation method where the final grade is based on several assignments completed during the course period or compiled at the end of the course.

The exam consists of an individual portfolio containing 3 selected assignments that have been further developed into exam submissions. The assignments are chosen by the course instructors. Formative feedback will be provided on the work throughout the semester. The exam portfolio is submitted and assessed as a whole. A failed exam portfolio can be revised and resubmitted as a deferred exam.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

Submitted material for work requirements and exams must be the student's own work, done in accordance with NTNU's guidelines for legal, responsible, ethical, and safe use of AI.

Course materials

Reading list will be published online.

Subject areas

  • Pedagogical knowledge
  • Teacher Education
  • Life Sciences
  • Social Studies

Contact information

Course coordinator

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Teacher Education

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Portfolio
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2026

Portfolio
Weighting 100/100 Exam system Inspera Assessment

Re-sit examination - Spring 2027

Portfolio
Weighting 100/100 Exam system Inspera Assessment