By the end of the course, students will be able to:
− Adopt a systemic and holistic vision of the interactions between technology and sustainability.
− Understand technological opportunities to support sustainable development.
− Develop a sustainability-oriented approach to technological development.
− Assess the impacts, risks, and opportunities related to the interdependencies between technology and sustainability.
The course aims to understand how technologies are both part of the problem and part of the solution to sustainability challenges. It encourages students to apprehend the dual relationship between technology for sustainability and sustainability for technology, and to critically question technological development in light of the principles of sustainable development.
The course examines the relationship between technology and sustainability through several complementary approaches. It explores the opportunities offered by technologies to contribute to sustainability (technology for sustainability), followed by the sustainability requirements applied to technologies (sustainability for technology). The low-tech approach is presented as an alternative perspective. The course also introduces systems thinking as a way to address the complexity of sustainability challenges. It concludes with a synthesis and integrative reflection session.
The course consists of seven sessions that explore the interactions between technology and sustainability:
Session 1: Introduction (3h)
Session 2: Technology for Sustainability (3h)
Session 3: Sustainability for Technology (3h)
Session 4: Low-Tech Approach (3h – MOOC session)
Session 5: Systems Thinking (2h - reading session)
Session 6: Practical Workshop (3h)
Session 7: Conclusions and Perspectives (2h)
Each session includes examples and practical exercises. The learning approach combines conceptual presentations, case studies, and an interactive workshop to enable students to apply and deepen the concepts studied.
The course combines theoretical input and practical activities, delivered both in person and asynchronously online (one MOOC session and one reading session). The frameworks and tools are illustrated through concrete examples, case studies, and an interactive workshop.
The evaluation is based on two complementary components:
Written exam (85%) – The exam combines multiple-choice questions and open-ended questions.
Group activity report (15%) – In groups of four, students prepare a written report that synthesizes, documents, and analyzes selected parts of the course. Participation in the practical workshop is an integral part of the evaluation of this report. Further details will be provided during the introductory session.
Mandatory requirement: Students must obtain at least 10/20 in the individual exam to pass the course. If the exam is failed, the group report will not be considered and the final grade will be equal to the exam grade.
Second session: The second session is based exclusively on the written exam.
The content of the course is based on scientific articles which references will be communicated during each course.
| Training | Study programme | Block | Credits | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master in Business Engineering | Finalité spécialisée en Sustainable & Digital Management | 1 | 3 | Yes |