Circular Economy: (Social) Entrepreneurial Processes, Impacts, Pathways and Cross-sector Networks 1600-SZD-SPEC-EC-GSE
The circular economy (CE) paradigm has become a popular concept that emerged to challenge a predominantly linear economic development model by extracting and retaining the highest possible value from existing resources through their recirculation. This is enabled through entrepreneurial practices such as re-use, recovery, repair, recycling, design for the environment amongst others. The growing body of literature portrays those activities as interrelated social, technical, environmental and geographical phenomena that have long-lasting sustainability impacts.This course introduces the student to the multi-dimensional circular economy concept and provides an opportunity for hands-on learning on associated topics. Drawing upon real-life examples and case studies of (social) enterprises, it uncovers inter-organizational and intra-organizational socio-spatial networks and mechanisms and processes shaping mainstream and alternative circular economy spaces of production, exchange and consumption. Doing so, it explores key value chains (e.g., plastics, textiles, food, electronics), interrogates social CE business models and explores scaling pathways social-circular business innovations to mitigate waste whilst maximizing the delivery of social and economic value outcomes and impacts, yet in the light of potential costs/risks. In exploring how the ecological, extraeconomic and economic premises of CE thinking can be harnessed through networks spanning public, private and social sector organizations, it discusses the development of circular economy development trajectories in the local, regional, national and international development contexts. Finally, it examines economic and institutional structures, governance policies, frameworks, as well as available tools and techniques designed to enable transition to the CE.
Type of course
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Knowledge | The graduate knows and understands:
WG_01 - to the extent necessary for existing paradigms to be revised - a worldwide body of work, covering theoretical foundations as well as general and selected specific issues - relevant to a particular discipline
within the social sciences
WG_02 - the main development trends in the disciplines of the social sciences in which the education is provided
WG_03 - scientific research methodology in the field of the social sciences
WK_01 - fundamental dilemmas of modern civilisation from the perspective of the social sciences
Skills | The graduate is able to:
UK_05 - speaking a foreign language at B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages using the professional terminology specific to the discipline within the social sciences, to the extent enabling participation in an international scientific and professional environment
Social competences | The graduate is ready to
KO_01 - fulfilling the social obligations of researchers and creators
KO_02 - fulfilling social obligations and taking actions in the public interest, in particular in initiating actions in the public interest
KO_03 - think and acting in an entrepreneurial manner
And others: WG_04 – the concept of the circular economy, circular economy-related theoretical models and implications of circular economy practices for local, regional and national development strategiesUK_06 – to critically interrogate and assess the concept of the circular economy and associated rebound effectsUK_07 – to examine socio-spatial circular economy networks UK_08 – to discuss opportunities and possible methods of implementation of the circular economy in urban areas, as well as in public, social and private sector organizations so that multi-scalar spillover effects can occurUK_09 – to assess benefits of circular economy business models and scaling pathways of social-circular business innovations to mitigate waste whilst maximizing delivery social and economic value. UK_10 – to uncover and interrogate the relationship between circularity and sustainability across diverse value chains (e.g., plastics, textiles, food, wood).UK_11 – to apply the principles of the circular economy to real-life casesKO_04 – creative, analytical and systems thinkingKO_05 – teamworkKO_06 – argumentation skills
Assessment criteria
Description of requirements related to participation in classes, including the
permitted number of explained absences: maximum three hours of unjustified absences
Principles for passing the classes and the subject (including resit session): individual project (i.e., blog entry/short article) and group work (project)
Methods for the verification of learning outcomes: active participation in classes (preparation for classes), group project and individual written work
Evaluation criteria: 50% - group project; 30% - individual written work; 20% activity at classes
Bibliography
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: