The first step is to diagnose the problem. To expose the flaws of economic growth, degrowth research draws from various intellectual and philosophical traditions, such as ecological economics, Marxism, feminism, anarchism, decoloniality, and psychology. The first part of the course explores these perspectives and critiques to uncover the root causes of the crises.

The second part examines degrowth as both a movement and a transformative pathway, exploring utopian visions of post-growth societies rooted in conviviality, care, and commoning. We also explore what the different perspectives from the first part of the course perceive as necessary and viable strategies and tactics, and their points of disagreement. We reflect on what such transformations might look like concretely in different areas (e.g., food, housing, security)

Bringing these insights together, the course asks: How does growth imperativism fuel today’s crises? And how can we build just, thriving societies within planetary boundaries?

Coordinator

Dr. Crelis Rammelt

Timetable

You can find the timetable on Datanose.

Entry requirements

Open to second-year and third-year UvA Bachelor's students and other interested parties, such as contract students or students from other Dutch higher education institutions. Master's students can only participate if there are still spots available.

Registration

UvA Bachelor's students can register from 30 November until 7 December 2026 in the GLASS registration rounds.

Master’s students can send a short motivation to keuzeonderwijs-iis@uva.nl.

‘Bijvak’ students and contract students can register from 1 December 2026 until two weeks prior to the start of the course, by completing the online registration form.

If you have any trouble while registering, please contact us at keuzeonderwijs-iis@uva.nl.

Costs

Prices can be found on the IIS website.

SDGs in education

The IIS strives to reflect current societal issues and challenges in our elective courses, honours modules and degree programmes, and attempts to integrate the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in this course. For more information about these goals, please visit the SDGs website.