13659 - Sustainability and Digitalisation Modulübersicht

Module Number: 13659
Module Title:Sustainability and Digitalisation
  Digitalisierung und Nachhaltigkeit
Department: Faculty 5 - Business, Law and Social Sciences
Responsible Staff Member:
  • Prof. Dr. phil. Jaeger-Erben, Melanie
Language of Teaching / Examination:English
Duration:1 semester
Frequency of Offer: Every summer semester
Credits: 6
Learning Outcome:The module provides knowledge and understanding of social science sustainability research at the interface of technology, environment and society. After attending the module, students will be able to adequately describe digitization as a comprehensive transformation process in terms of its advantages and disadvantages and analyse various digitization phenomena from a social science perspective. They can use digital media and communication formats (blogs, podcasts) in a targeted manner. Students are able to conduct case analyses after completing the module.
Contents:Digitalization as well as sustainability are so-called mega-trends the 21st century. Digital technologies are increasingly integrated in society and economy. This process both poses environmental and social challenges, such as climate change or social injustice, as well as the potential to accelerate sustainable transition. An effective transition to renewable decentralized energy supplies for instance will only succeed with digital and connected devices. However, digitalization is not per definition sustainable. It also has many negative impacts on the environment and society. For example, electronic devices require scarce non-renewable natural resources, and data processing uses vast amounts of energy. The reserves of the elements needed for digitalization are depleting, while the volume of electronic waste is rapidly growing every year. How can digitalization support sustainable transition without causing more harm than good? Is a green digitalization possible? In the module, we cover the risks and potentials in of digital innovations in various sectors such as energy systems, mobility, agriculture o education.

The module contains following topics: 
  • Block 1: Introduction to digitalization and its relations to sustainability and social-ecological transformation
  • Block 2: Current effects of digitalization in various sectors (data protection, environmental impacts, effects on democracy, digital divide and social injustice)
  • Block 3: Transformation paths for a socio-ecological digitalization (sufficiency in digitalization, open source, open governance, Circular Economy and more)
  • Excursion: Visiting sites of digital innovation in Berlin, e.g., Futurium
Recommended Prerequisites:none
Mandatory Prerequisites:none
Forms of Teaching and Proportion:
  • Lecture / 2 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Seminar / 2 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Self organised studies / 120 Hours
Teaching Materials and Literature:The following literature can be used for preparation:
  • Lange, S., & Santarius, T. (2020). Smart Green World?: Making Digitalization Work for Sustainability. Routledge.
  • Pfeiffer, S. (2017). Industrie 4.0 in the making–discourse patterns and the rise of digital despotism. The new digital workplace: How new technologies revolutionise work, 21.
  • Renn, O., Beier, G., & Schweizer, P. J. (2021). The opportunities and risks of digitalisation for sustainable development: a systemic perspective. GAIA-Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society, 30(1), 23-28.
Module Examination:Continuous Assessment (MCA)
Assessment Mode for Module Examination:
  • Pecha Kucha presentation, 10 min: 25%
  • Case analysis, 2,000-3,000 words: 25%
  • For the third part, students have the choice between:
    • Podcast, 1h: 50% 
      OR
    • blog series, 6 posts each 2000-3000 characters: 50%
Evaluation of Module Examination:Performance Verification – graded
Limited Number of Participants:None
Part of the Study Programme:
  • Master (research-oriented) / Angewandte Mathematik / PO 2008
  • Master (research-oriented) / Angewandte Mathematik / PO 2019
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Architektur / PO 2014
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) - Double Degree / Architektur / PO 2014
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Architektur / PO 2022
  • Master (research-oriented) / Architektur / PO 2016
  • Master (research-oriented) / Artificial Intelligence / PO 2022
  • Master (research-oriented) / Bauen und Erhalten / PO 2007
  • Bachelor (universitär) - erweiterte Fachsemester / Bauingenieurwesen / PO 2017
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Bauingenieurwesen / PO 2017
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Bauingenieurwesen / PO 2022
  • Bachelor (universitär) - erweiterte Fachsemester / Bauingenieurwesen / PO 2022
  • Master (research-oriented) / Bauingenieurwesen / PO 2014
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) - Co-Op Programme with Integrated Vocational Training / Bauingenieurwesen - dual / PO 2017
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) - Co-Op Programme with Integrated Vocational Training / Bauingenieurwesen - dual / PO 2022
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) - Co-Op Programme with Practical Placement / Bauingenieurwesen - dual / PO 2022
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Bau- und Kunstgeschichte / PO 2022
  • Bachelor (applied) / Betriebswirtschaftslehre / PO 2017
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Betriebswirtschaftslehre / PO 2011
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Betriebswirtschaftslehre / PO 2017
  • Master (research-oriented) / Betriebswirtschaftslehre / PO 2017
  • Bachelor (applied) - Co-Op Programme with Practical Placement / Betriebswirtschaftslehre - dual / PO 2019
  • Bachelor (applied) / Biotechnologie / PO 2018
  • Bachelor (applied) - Double Degree / Biotechnologie / PO 2021
  • Master (applied) / Biotechnology / PO 2018
  • Master (fachhochschulisch) - erweiterte Fachsemester / Biotechnology / PO 2018
  • Master (research-oriented) / Cyber Security / PO 2017
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Digitale Gesellschaft / PO 2022
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / eBusiness / PO 2007
  • Master (research-oriented) / eBusiness / PO 2007
  • Bachelor (applied) / Elektrotechnik / PO 2018
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Elektrotechnik / PO 2014
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Elektrotechnik / PO 2019
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Elektrotechnik / PO 2022
  • Master (applied) / Elektrotechnik / PO 2018
  • Master (fachhochschulisch) - erweiterte Fachsemester / Elektrotechnik / PO 2018
  • Master (research-oriented) / Elektrotechnik / PO 2014
  • Master (research-oriented) / Elektrotechnik / PO 2019
  • Master (research-oriented) / Elektrotechnik / PO 2023
  • Bachelor (applied) - Co-Op Programme with Integrated Vocational Training / Elektrotechnik - dual / PO 2018
  • Bachelor (applied) - Co-Op Programme with Practical Placement / Elektrotechnik - dual / PO 2018
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) - Co-Op Programme with Integrated Vocational Training / Elektrotechnik - dual / PO 2022
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) - Co-Op Programme with Practical Placement / Elektrotechnik - dual / PO 2022
  • Abschluss im Ausland / Energietechnik und Energiewirtschaft / keine PO
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Energietechnik und Energiewirtschaft / PO 2021
  • Master (research-oriented) / Energietechnik und Energiewirtschaft / PO 2021
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Environmental and Resource Management / PO 2015
  • Bachelor (applied) / Hebammenwissenschaft / PO 2021
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Informatik / PO 2008
  • Master (research-oriented) / Informatik / PO 2008
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Informations- und Medientechnik / PO 2017
  • Master (research-oriented) / Informations- und Medientechnik / PO 2017
  • Bachelor (applied) / Instrumental- und Gesangspädagogik / PO 2019
  • Master (research-oriented) / Klimagerechtes Bauen und Betreiben / PO 2018
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Kultur und Technik / PO 2017
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Künstliche Intelligenz / PO 2022
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Künstliche Intelligenz Technologie / PO 2022
  • Master (research-oriented) / Künstliche Intelligenz Technologie / PO 2022
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Landnutzung und Wasserbewirtschaftung / PO 2017
  • Master (research-oriented) / Landnutzung und Wasserbewirtschaftung / PO 2011
  • Master (research-oriented) / Landnutzung und Wasserbewirtschaftung / PO 2018
  • Bachelor (applied) / Maschinenbau / PO 2018
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Maschinenbau / PO 2006
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Maschinenbau / PO 2021
  • Master (applied) / Maschinenbau / PO 2018
  • Master (fachhochschulisch) - erweiterte Fachsemester / Maschinenbau / PO 2018
  • Master (research-oriented) / Maschinenbau / PO 2006
  • Master (research-oriented) / Maschinenbau / PO 2021
  • Bachelor (applied) - Co-Op Programme with Integrated Vocational Training / Maschinenbau - dual / PO 2018
  • Bachelor (applied) - Co-Op Programme with Practical Placement / Maschinenbau - dual / PO 2018
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) - Co-Op Programme with Integrated Vocational Training / Maschinenbau - dual / PO 2021
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) - Co-Op Programme with Practical Placement / Maschinenbau - dual / PO 2021
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Materialchemie / PO 2018
  • Master (research-oriented) / Materialchemie / PO 2018
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Mathematik / PO 2019
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Medizininformatik / PO 2016
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Medizintechnik / PO 2022
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) - Co-Op Programme with Practical Placement / Medizintechnik - dual / PO 2022
  • Master (research-oriented) / Nachwachsende Rohstoffe und Erneuerbare Energien / PO 2008
  • Bachelor (applied) / Pflegewissenschaft / PO 2017
  • Bachelor (applied) / Pflegewissenschaft / PO 2020
  • Bachelor (applied) - Co-Op Programme with Integrated Vocational Training / Pflegewissenschaft / PO 2020
  • Master (research-oriented) / Physics / PO 2021
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Physik / PO 2017
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Physik / PO 2021
  • Master (research-oriented) / Physik / PO 2018
  • Master (research-oriented) / Power Engineering / PO 2016
  • Bachelor (applied) / Soziale Arbeit / PO 2018
  • Bachelor (applied) - Double Degree / Soziale Arbeit / PO 2018
  • Bachelor (applied) / Soziale Arbeit / PO 2020
  • Bachelor (applied) - Double Degree / Soziale Arbeit / PO 2020
  • Master (applied) / Soziale Arbeit / PO 2018
  • Master (applied) / Soziale Arbeit / PO 2020
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Städtebau und Stadtplanung / PO 2019
  • Master (research-oriented) / Stadtplanung / PO 2019
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Stadt- und Regionalplanung / PO 2016
  • Master (research-oriented) / Stadt- und Regionalplanung / PO 2017
  • Bachelor (applied) / Therapiewissenschaften / PO 2017
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Umweltingenieurwesen / PO 2006
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Umweltingenieurwesen / PO 2021
  • Master (research-oriented) / Umweltingenieurwesen / PO 2012
  • Master (research-oriented) / Umweltingenieurwesen / PO 2021
  • Master (research-oriented) / Verarbeitungstechnologien der Werkstoffe / PO 2015
  • Master (research-oriented) - Double Degree / Verarbeitungstechnologien der Werkstoffe / PO 2015
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Verfahrenstechnik / PO 2013
  • Master (research-oriented) / Verfahrenstechnik - Prozess- und Anlagentechnik / PO 2020
  • Bachelor (applied) / Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen / PO 2018
  • Master (applied) / Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen / PO 2018
  • Master (fachhochschulisch) - erweiterte Fachsemester / Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen / PO 2018
  • Bachelor (applied) - Co-Op Programme with Integrated Vocational Training / Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen - dual / PO 2018
  • Bachelor (applied) - Co-Op Programme with Practical Placement / Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen - dual / PO 2018
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Wirtschaftsmathematik / PO 2007
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Wirtschaftsmathematik / PO 2019
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Wirtschaftsmathematik / PO 2023
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) - Co-Op Programme with Practical Placement / Wirtschaftsmathematik - dual / PO 2023
 This module has been approved for the general studies.
Remarks:None
Module Components:
  • Lecture: Digitalisation and Sustainability: Evolution, Trends and Future Scenarios
  • Seminar: Digitalisation and Sustainability: Current Topics
Components to be offered in the Current Semester: