“Ethical and local economies”, Masaryk University (since 2014)

• Lecturers: Eva Fraňková and Nadia Johanisova
• Program: elective graduate course, Masters in environmental studies; 5 ECTS
• Duration: one semester =  13 weeks; 2 h/week, face-to-face with on-line support
• Class size: approximately 20
• Focus: The course:
  1. Contributes to new knowledge: insights into approaches and practices related to ecological economics and the social/solidarity economy, as well as deconstructing the mainstream economic concept of “consumers”;
  2. Develops new competencies, in relation to reading and evaluating Czech and English specialised texts, and strengthening critical thinking and the application of key principles;
  3. Influences attitudes; in the ability to analyse and practically apply community economic projects, and deliver realistic evaluations of such projects.
• Novel approach: Guest lecturers – practitioners from Czech eco-social enterprises, including collaborative consumption projects such as community supported agriculture, are invited into the classroom; different techniques are used to stimulate discussions, group-work, and critical thinking; students are also asked to conduct a feasibility study of their own anticipated eco-social enterprise, with a focus on co-operation rather than competition.
• Student evaluation: Students are evaluated on a system of points, including active participation in class; comments to reading materials; and a  final paper, which involves a case study on a community economic project, or a description of their own potential project.
• Course evaluation: course is enthusiastically received by students, who appreciate the practical and interactive dimensions and the participation of guest lecturers / practitioners.
• Challenge: fitting the literature in with the practical content of the course, and balancing the time for reading discussions and guest talks.