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Sustainable Economics



Module name (EN):
Name of module in study programme. It should be precise and clear.
Sustainable Economics
Degree programme:
Study Programme with validity of corresponding study regulations containing this module.
Industrial Engineering, Master, regulation 01.04.2022
Module code: WIM22-210
SAP-Submodule-No.:
The exam administration creates a SAP-Submodule-No for every exam type in every module. The SAP-Submodule-No is equal for the same module in different study programs.
P450-0353, P450-0354
Hours per semester week / Teaching method:
The count of hours per week is a combination of lecture (V for German Vorlesung), exercise (U for Übung), practice (P) oder project (PA). For example a course of the form 2V+2U has 2 hours of lecture and 2 hours of exercise per week.
2V+2U (4 hours per week)
ECTS credits:
European Credit Transfer System. Points for successful completion of a course. Each ECTS point represents a workload of 30 hours.
6
Semester: 2
Mandatory course: yes
Language of instruction:
German
Assessment:
Written exam (50% of the module grade—the exam is offered once per semester = twice per academic year) and
a written composition (50% of the module grade—the exam is offered once per year = once per academic year) and
It is NOT necessary to pass every individual component.

[updated 29.10.2026]
Applicability / Curricular relevance:
All study programs (with year of the version of study regulations) containing the course.

DFMIM-W-105 Management, Master, regulation 01.10.2026 , semester 1, optional course
WIM22-210 (P450-0353, P450-0354) Industrial Engineering, Master, regulation 01.04.2022 , semester 2, mandatory course
Workload:
Workload of student for successfully completing the course. Each ECTS credit represents 30 working hours. These are the combined effort of face-to-face time, post-processing the subject of the lecture, exercises and preparation for the exam.

The total workload is distributed on the semester (01.04.-30.09. during the summer term, 01.10.-31.03. during the winter term).
60 class hours (= 45 clock hours) over a 15-week period.
The total student study time is 180 hours (equivalent to 6 ECTS credits).
There are therefore 135 hours available for class preparation and follow-up work and exam preparation.
Recommended prerequisites (modules):
None.
Recommended as prerequisite for:
Module coordinator:
Prof. Dr. Julia Vollmer
Lecturer:
Prof. Dr. Julia Vollmer
Professoren der Fakultät


[updated 29.09.2026]
Learning outcomes:
After successfully completing this module, students will:
• be familiar with the fundamentals of the global, European, and national sustainability discourse, as well as its dimensions, goals, strategies, and concepts.
• be able to synthesize concepts and implementation strategies related to sustainable economic models and key economic policy issues.
• be able to analyze and explore selected areas of the sustainability debate in depth.
• be able to identify independent implementation strategies for selected sustainability issues in politics and business.
• be able to independently explore, analyze, and present a selected topic in the field of sustainability in a structured manner.
• be able to present the results of their independent work concisely and confidently.


[updated 29.10.2026]
Module content:
• Introduction: The Concept of sustainability, the current situation, planetary boundaries, SDGs
• Economic foundations and transition: basic economic concepts, key tenets of various schools of economic thought, causes of the overuse of natural resources, fundamental principles of a sustainable economy
• Growth: The growth debate, decoupling, strategic paths (efficiency, consistency, sufficiency)
• Ethical principles: Inter- and intragenerational justice, accountability of stakeholders
• Environmental policy and stakeholder analysis: Implementation shortcomings in sustainability policy; the role and interests of key stakeholders
• Political and legal instruments: Classification and evaluation, economic instruments
• Operationalization: Indicators and measurement systems; the limitations of GDP as a measure of prosperity
• Global aspects: Globalization, world trade, developing and emerging economies
• Sustainable democracy and a market economy: Requirements for a sustainable economic system


[updated 29.10.2026]
Teaching methods/Media:
Presentations on selected topics; connections to current regulatory developments

[updated 29.10.2026]
Recommended or required reading:
Fischer, D. et al. (2023): Sustainable Business. SpringerBriefs in Business (Open Access). Cham: Springer.
Piorkowsky, M.-B. (2026): Die Ökonomie der nachhaltigen Gesellschaft. Wiesbaden: Springer Gabler.
Rogall, H. & Gapp-Schmeling, K. (2021): Nachhaltige Ökonomie. Band 1: Grundlagen des nachhaltigen Wirtschaftens (3., überarb. u. stark erw. Aufl.). Marburg: Metropolis.
Vereinte Nationen (2015): Transformation unserer Welt: die Agenda 2030 für nachhaltige Entwicklung (A/RES/70/1). New York: UN.
WBGU - Wissenschaftlicher Beirat der Bundesregierung Globale Umweltveränderungen (2011): Welt im Wandel. Gesellschaftsvertrag für eine Große Transformation. Hauptgutachten. Berlin: WBGU.
 
Further reading is listed in the course materials; additional independent research is required for the written assignment.


[updated 29.10.2026]
 
[Sat Oct 31 17:17:08 CET 2026, CKEY=wnOa, BKEY=wim3, CID=WIM22-210, LANGUAGE=en, DATE=31.10.2026]