Environmental and Spatial Studies
The study programme provides an overview of social construction of the environment and space, that (in)directly influences i.e. shapes environmental and spatial practice from individual to global level. The programme includes following sub-themes:
- Sociological approach to the understanding of problems related to the environment, nature and space: debate about social construction of nature/space, natural environment and space as a restricting or developmental factor;
- Understanding the logic of social functioning, spatial development and environmental changes: conceptualisation of environmental changes and their positive/negative influence on social and particularly spatial processes; different types of logic of social functioning (collective actions) and their influence on environmental changes and spatial development; the problem of collective action and the achievement of common goals.
- Natural resources and space as public goo ds/commodity: problems of institutional organisation and collective action. Mechanisms for the evaluation of natural resources from the perspective of their (non-)renewability.
- Institutional aspects in the protection of ''public goods'', different definitions of ''public goods'', paradigmatic interpretation of public goods. Problem of protection of natural or public resources in Slovenia from the perspective of social development.
- Sociological dimensions of the concept of sustainable development: a short overview of concept development; terminological problems or substantial differences in the perception of sustainable development; problem of human (social) needs from the developmental perspective; problem of balancing social, economic and environmental components of sustainable development.
- From anthropocentric to nature-centred environmental ethics and value systems: conceptual dilemmas of nature-centred ethics; critique of anthropocentrism and critique of eco-centrism;
- ''development'' of value systems; nature as a value category. Social movements for the protection of the environment and nature.
- The ecology of everyday life: reflection on commonsensical everyday life practices from the environmental and spatial perspective; nutrition practices, attitude towards waste treatment, consumerism, health, hygiene, leisure time activities, dwelling, transport preferences etc.
- Assessment of social impact of environmental and spatial interventionism: presentation of social impact assessment methodology and its practical application in the planning and implementation of environmental and spatial interventions.
Quick facts
Type: third level Doctoral study programme
Duration: 4 years
ECTS: 240
Language: English
Professional title: Doctor of Philosophy / doktor znanosti
General requirements for enrolment: 300 ECTS
Tuition fee: 10.600 € for programme
Foreign citizens who have completed study programme abroad may enrol in doctoral study programme if they complete the offical Slovenian procedure of recognition of foreign undergraduate education.
The main purpose of the programmes is to provide doctoral students with fundamental knowledge from their research disciplines in different fields of the humanities and social sciences, while developing the competences required for independent research and the application of knowledge at an internationally comparable level.
The Chair of Sociology builds on a rich tradition of theoretical and empirical research on the wide range of issues related to social life.