Global Trends and Sustainability, or GTS (4 ECTS, 2nd semester) pays specific attention to how globalization has provoked dramatic transformations in particularly the developing world, presenting a critical view on how (un) sustainable these changes are, while looking at urbanization (such as the emergence of mega-cities), global migration, climate change and energy use. Particular emphasis is put on inequality of income and purchasing power (between regions and within regions and countries), and how different forms of inequality intersect with the access to and use of natural resources (land, water), food regimes (globalizing food chains, with a transition from ‘food-feed’ towards a much more integrated ‘food-feed-fuel-fibre’ complex, and the co-existence of ‘hunger and obesity’).

Assessment

Essay (70% of the total mark), to be written on a topic that falls within the main two themes of the course, namely “Globalization, Urbanization and Energy Use” or “Food Systems and the Environment”. The length of the essay should be not more than 3,000 words (not including the references). The paper needs to be policy-oriented and analytical. The student needs to prepare an outline for the paper and present this in the final two sessions of the course (15% of the total mark). Participation in the course is also evaluated (15% of the total mark).