Case Studies in Alternative Technologies and Organizations for Sustainability

Each class uses a central question as its starting point. The task of the students is to prepare and address the central question in class. They need to take a stand. To reply to the question, students need to search on places from Wikipedia, YouTube and Google scholar to popular media outlets. They are free to search for info anywhere. However, students are provided with recommended material. At the beginning of each class, a student gets a “cold call”. This means that s/he is asked to open the discussion, giving an overview of the organization or the ecosystem, the problem to be analyzed, and her/his solution to the problem or reply to the question. When the first student is done, the floor is open for comments and alternative solutions/replies, from as many people as possible. The instructor/facilitator takes notes and guides the discussion, but ideally almost all the talking should be done by the students. At the end of each class, all participants try to synthesize and conclude. During the last class, students have to draw and explain their near-future landscapes for their region building on the lessons learned.

NB! This course will take place in autumn semester 2025/2026 which starts on 1st of September and ends on 25th of January (you can find that information under Start date section). TalTech's timetables for Autumn semester 2025 will be published at the end of June via tunniplaan.taltech.ee. Switch the page to English and use "Search" and "Open detailed search" to find your course. NB! Some courses are taught by several lecturers during the same semester. Make sure that the course name and lecturer/teacher infromation of your course match with the information given in the Course Catalogue.

After completing the course, the student:

• demonstrates an understanding of how open-source technologies are developed and implemented across various sectors, including software, hardware, energy, and innovation ecosystems;
• analyzes and critically evaluates heterodox business and organizational models that promote participatory value creation and sustainability;
• develops well-reasoned arguments on complex issues related to technology, sustainability, and governance, both in written form and orally;
• shows the ability to respond to "cold calls" by initiating discussions and thereby supporting the learning of others, presents overview analyses, and participates meaningfully in peer-led debates;
• creates and explains near-future landscapes for their region, integrating lessons learned from the course to envision sustainable and innovative ecosystems;
• demonstrates skills in conceptual analysis and problem-solving, as well as holds and defends positions on central questions related to open-source technologies and innovation management.

Final assessment can consist of one test/assignment or several smaller assignments completed during the whole course. After declaring a course the student can re-sit the exam/assessment once. Assessment can be graded or non-graded. For specific information about the assessment process please get in touch with the contact person of this course. For specific information about grade transfer please contact your home university

none

• Hiljutised raamatud/artiklid/raportid – lisatakse Moodle’sse.
• Recent books/articles/reports - uploaded to Moodle.

lectures, exercises