Print as pdf if you want a pdf! If you want a nicer printout, click off the browser's automatically added header and footer.
Blekinge Institute of Technology
Department of Strategic Sustainable Development
Revision: 3
Reg.no:
Course syllabus
Master's Thesis (60 credits) in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability
Master's Thesis (60 credits) in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability
20 credits (20 högskolepoäng)
Course code: SL2538
Main field of study: Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability
Disciplinary domain: Technology
Education level: Second-cycle
Specialization: A1E - Second cycle, contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (60 credits)
Language of instruction: English
Applies from: 2017-08-01
Approved: 2017-05-26
1. Descision
This course is established by Dean 2017-03-01. The course syllabus is approved by Head of Department of Strategic Sustainable Development 2017-05-26 and applies from 2017-08-01.
2. Entry requirements
The courses Strategic Sustainable Development, 12.5 ECTS, Innovation for Sustainability, 5 ECTS and 2.5 ECTS in Leading in Complexity must have been passed.
3. Objective and content
3.1 Objective
The purpose of the course is for the student to (1) develop deepened knowledge about a specific research topic of relevance to Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability, (2) develop deepened knowledge about and skill in applying research methodology, and (3) develop leadership skills through team work.
3.2 Content
The course includes a thesis on a specific topic of relevance to Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability which the student selects for deeper studies. The content of supportive lectures, workshops and supervision is determined by the selected topic for the thesis. The overarching issue for the thesis should be how the studied phenomenon can contribute to society’s transition to sustainability from a systems perspective on Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability and with regard to the complexity that sustainable development involves.
4. Learning outcomes
The following learning outcomes are examined in the course:
4.1. Knowledge and understanding
On completion of the course the student will be able to:
- Discuss key concepts within the general research area of Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability and, at a more nuanced level, within the selected thesis topic.
***Abilities and skills***
On completion of the course the student will be able to:
- Independently identify and formulate research questions of relevance to Strategic Leadership towards Sustainabilityand plan and carry out appropriate research within a given time frame to answer these questions.
- Orally and in writing present her/his research problems, approaches and results, argue for her/his conclusions and recommendations and discuss these with individuals and groups with different educational, professional and cultural backgrounds.
- Work collaboratively to achieve a goal.
***Judgment and approach***
On completion of the course the student will be able to:
- Reflect and contextualize a specific topic in relation to a systems perspective on Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability.
- Critically relate to different theories, concepts, methods and tools of relevance to Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability, from scientific, social and ethical perspectives, in ways that take into account the complexity of these phenomena.
- Critically examine, assess and discuss her/his own and others’ research results and conclusions.
- Identify the need of further knowledge, concepts, methods and tools of relevance to Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability.
5. Learning activities
The thesis is usually carried out in groups of three students. The teaching in the course includes, as a support of the thesis work, lectures and workshops, supervision, group dialogues, individual reflection and reflection in groups and criticism of other students’ theses. Teachers with many different scientific backgrounds, professional experience and perspectives take part as supervisors in the course. Each group has minimum two supervisors of which at least one is a senior researcher. Supervisors and students of different educational, professional and cultural backgrounds give feedback and give criticism of the theses at three common formal occasions during the course, including one final presentation. The final presentation is carried out in a format similar to a public defence of a doctoral thesis. Criticism is given by other students (with great diversity of backgrounds) and by supervisors, the examiner, other personnel and invited experts from business and society and the general public. A detailed support for the entire process (thesis kit), including instructions for writing, evaluation criteria, etc., is provided to the student.
6. Assessment and grading
Modes of examinations of the course
| Code | Module | Credit | Grade |
| 1805 | Written assignment 1 | 1 credits | GU |
| 1815 | Written assignment 2 | 1 credits | GU |
| 1825 | Written assignment 3 | 1 credits | GU |
| 1835 | Written assignment 4 | 1 credits | GU |
| 1845 | Thesis | 16 credits | AF |
The course will be graded A Excellent, B Very good, C Good, D Satisfactory, E Sufficient, FX Failed result, a little more work required, F Fail.
The information before a course occasion states the assessment criteria and make explicit in which modes of examination that the learning outcomes are assessed.
An examiner can, after consulting the Disability Advisor at BTH, decide on a customized examination form for a student with a long-term disability to be provided with an examination equivalent to one given to a student who is not disabled.
7. Course evaluation
The course evaluation should be carried out in line with BTH:s course evaluation template and process.
8. Restrictions regarding degree
The course can form part of a degree but not together with another course the content of which completely or partly corresponds with the contents of this course.
9. Course literature and other materials of instruction
Process description for the thesis (thesis kit).
10. Additional information
This course replaces SL2514
This is not a legal document. If you would like a copy of the legal decision regarding this course plan, contact the registrar at Blekinge Institute of Technology.