Sustainability and Postcolonial Studies. Gender, Nature and History

Programme profile The two-year Master's programme in "Sustainability and Postcolonial Studies. Gender, Nature and History" focuses on the ideas, discourses and practices surrounding "sustainability", which refers to the protection of our world's resources in order to ensure a liveable planet for future generations. In doing so, it sheds light on postcolonial perspectives and, consequently, global inequalities. Students will explore the historical and societal origins and negotiations of current sustainability concepts, strategies and practices. By jointly examining assumptions and universalisms relating to sustainability, the programme aims to contribute to constructive debates on the future-oriented development of sustainability concepts, strategies and practices. Our profile is unique within the German higher education sector: we combine sustainability with postcolonial perspectives, emphasising the dimensions of gender, nature and history from historical and contemporary analytical perspective. Critical-analytical understanding of sustainability: The programme encourages critical engagement with assumptions and universalisms about sustainability and critically reflects on previous implementations of sustainability. Dialogue-based study: During the programme, students work together to develop creative potential for the necessary reflection and constructive further development of sustainability concepts and practices. Postcolonial perspectives: The global context of the emergence and implementation of sustainability is reflected upon, and dialogue with lesser-known ideas and strategies for sustainability from the Global South is facilitated. Thematic focus on gender, nature and history: Joint exploration of the historical origins and societal negotiations of key aspects of sustainability while focussing on questions of power, inequality and marginalisation Career prospects The programme opens up numerous career paths and qualifies graduates for roles in national and international organisations, research institutes, public administrations and ministries, development agencies, political education, consulting and corporate environments. Graduates will have the competence to critically examine sustainability concepts and practices from a social science perspective and to understand their global, historical and (post-)colonial dimensions. Graduates also have an awareness of postcolonial, gender and power-critical perspectives and of the diversity of understandings of sustainability worldwide, as well as conceptual and consulting skills in the development, evaluation and implementation of innovative sustainability strategies in private and public organisations. Graduates are able to tap into new areas of work in the field of sustainability, develop and promote innovative approaches, and design work processes independently and cooperatively. The profile is complemented by skills in planning, implementing and evaluating projects on sustainability, time management skills and the ability to work in interdisciplinary teams, enabling graduates to take on leadership roles.